We Will Remember Them...

Being unable to attend Harlow's Service of Remembrance today, I went to the War Memorial to pay my respects on Friday morning. For those who don't know, our War Memorial can be found in the Town Park, adjacent to the Greyhound pub and the large car park.

While I was there I met a lovely chap from the British Legion - Bob. He would usually have been out selling poppies he told me, but had come along to check that the memorial gardens were spruce and tidy ready for the service. What he discovered fell below standards, so he set to mowing grass and tidying. I spent half an hour happily wielding a broom for him - half an hour of my time to honour those who have lost their lives serving their country didn't seem like very much, I was extremely pleased to be able to help.

If you have attended the Service at the memorial this morning, or have watched the parade marching down to it, then spare a moment to think of the thousands of 'Bobs' all over the country, giving their time willingly to organise parades, sell poppies, and clean war memorials. Wear your poppy with pride.

This stone commemorates those from the town who have lost their lives in service to their country since 1945. Sadly there are apparently more names to be added to it.

"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"

North Weald

North Weald Airfield is familiar with most Harlow-ites for its regular Saturday and Bank Holiday markets - but it has a place in history far more important than that.

Airfield Memorial & Former Station Office - now a museum

Royal Flying Corps Station North Weald Bassett first opened in 1916, and played a part in protecting London from the Zepellin raids of World War I, but found its finest hour acting as a frontline airfield during World War II and the Battle of Britain, with Hurricanes, Blenheims and Spitfires operating.

In the course of WW2 the now RAF North Weald station played host to many Squadrons including those made up of Foreign nationals - Americans, Czechs, Poles and also Norwegians. There is still a strong link maintained to this day with the people of Norway and part of the Airfield Memorial is a stone obelisk given by the Norwegians.

After the war NW continued as an operational airfield, with Gloster Meteors and De Havilland Vampires being commonly seen in the skies overhead in the late 1940's, and later the Hawker Hunters of 111 squadron moved in - known as the Black Arrows. Interestingly one of the aircraft you are most likely to see flying from North Weald these days is a black Hawker Hunter!

In early 1958, rather fittingly, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight (then known as the RAF Historic Aircraft Flight) was moved to it's new home at North Weald, sadly its stay was to be cut short as in May of that year the RAF decided to take the step of re designating the airfield as non-operational, before eventually pulling out completely in 1964.

Hangar 11 collection Kittyhawk

Today the airfield is once more alive to the sound of aviation - from the the Gnat Display Team, and Hangar 11 Collection with their Hurricane, Spitfire, Mustang & Kittyhawk - all to be seen at airshows throughout the summer months - to the Army using the field for operational training with their Apache Helicopters - now a regular sight over Harlow. The Hertfordshire Air Ambulance is also based there.

Temporary Herts Air Ambulance G-ESCI

Sources are mainly credited via links in the text. Information also from Wikipaedia.

Upcoming Event...

This coming Saturday and Sunday (15th & 16th June) The Gibberd Garden, in Partnership with Herts Essex borders Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, will be holding their annual Real Ale festival. Well worth a visit this one - up to 35 different beers available across the weekend, and they even erect a couple of marquee's in case it goes all "British Summer-ish!"

See the HEB website for more details - Gibberd Garden Beer Festival 2013

Past & Present...

Photo from Clare Baster's "Harlow, a Photographic history of your town" 

Harlow "Rams" seen here in the plain jerseys competing against a visiting Czech side at their Ram Gorse ground. The club is still here and thriving, with three senior gents sides, plus vets, ladies, and junior teams turning out each week during the season to entertain.

The picture above was taken in April 2012, when Spanish side Poblenou Enginyers visited to play Harlow's "Saints". Surprisingly this was a league match - the Spanish side having played in the Greene King Premiere league for several seasons. The month before the Saints had travelled to Barcelona for their away fixture , taking a 25+ strong party of players and supporters.  More information on and photos of Harlow Saints RFC can be found at Harlow Fourth Team Photos.

We will remember them...

Some photos from Harlow's Service of Remembrance in the Town Park this morning...

The parade marching from Burnt Mill school along First Avenue before turning up School Lane to the park.

At the memorial ready for the service to commence...

Standard Bearers and Guard...

The Service underway...

Wreaths...

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".

Harlow - Sculpture Town

Some signs appeared a while back, introducing Harlow as a "Sculpture Town" - whatever one of those is. A quick glance at Google suggests that this is a title unique to Harlow, but if that is the case then it's understandable, really.

Above is the official interactive map showing the sites of the 66 sculptures of varying types, shapes and sizes scattered around the town. With works from the likes of Henry Moore, Elisabeth Frink, and Rodin, this is a serious art collection which people travel to see. We who are resident are fortunate enough to have them on out doorsteps, and in most cases, we probably take them for granted. 

"Sundial" - Museum Garden

Almost every area has a sculpture or several of its own - the Town Centre is positively over-run With them, and even Church Langley have one of their own - outside Tesco. They range from the starkly modern (Solo Flight, at Mark Hall, and Echo, at Staple Tye) to the historic - Rodin's "Eve". Some were commisioned specifically with their space in the town in mind, and others have been purchased to add to the collection.

Next time you are walking through the town, to your local shops, or perhaps in the Town park, cast your eyes around you and see how many of these works you have been strolling past, without giving a second thought.

The Lawn...

Harlow has the distinction of being the home of the first modern-style residential Tower Block in England - The Lawn, in Mark Hall North was built in 1951 and is of such historical importance that it is now a Grade II listed building. It's design was clever in as much that every property had a south-facing sitting room in spite of there being 4 properties per floor. Sir Frederick Gibberd personally oversaw the pegging out for the foundations on the ground as the block had to be built with regard to the seven established oak trees which surround it.

The Lawn takes its name from the lawns of Mark Hall which used to be nearby. Indeed one of the Park Lodges still stands further along the road - look...

...I wonder how many people who walk or cycle past that regularly have no idea of the history of this unusual looking building!

How sad that a style of housing which originally started out so carefully planned and thoughtfully built has - thanks to the 1960's and 1970's trend towards high-rise block -  now become synonymous with all that is bad about the way people can be forced to live.

Have you ever lived in The Lawn? Or indeed in that Park Lodge? It would be lovely to hear some stories of the places direct from the people who have lived there.