Road of Remembrance

Hello ......... Yesterday we went to the nearby town of Folkestone and while we were there we stopped off at the new WW1 Memorial Arch and the Road of Remembrance which has recently been unveiled by Prince Harry.

It is estimated that over 10 million troops marched down the steep road that leads to the port on there way to the front in the First World War, leading to it being renamed Remembrance Road.

 A new commemorative Arch has been built at the top of the hill the troops marched down, the arch, was built by the Charity Step Short, named after the order given to the men to take short steps to descend the steep hill, it commemorates nurses and civilians as well as soliders from many nations who would have heard the order to 'Step Short'  down the steep road then leads to the port, then called Slope Road now fitting renamed Remembrance road.

The wonderful members of 'Purl Queens' in the town and from around the world have knitted and crocheted poppies to the line the route.

So strikingly beautiful and poignant.

 In fact I think they are still happy to receive more poppies as they will be replenishing the poppies along the route until Remembrance Day in November, if anyone would like to send a Poppy, I've put a link to the Facebook page above.

Earlier in the week I went to the local Folk Club and performed a song of mine called  'Sweet Letters' as it's fitting I thought I'd share the lyrics with you here. (one day I might get around to recording some of my songs, health permitting)

A letter arrived you've been listed for to fight, 

for Crown and Country you must do what was right

You're just a ordinary man with a part to play, 

so you're leaving this factory town and going far away

Sweet letters, sweet letters from you, 

sweet letters sweet letters from you.

The Roses are red the sweet violets are so blue 

and everyday she awaits a letter from you.

Sweet letters, sweet letters from you . 

Sweet letters, sweet letters from you.

They married in a hurry and she wore her mother dress, 

because they loved each other and they thought it for the best.

 You're just a ordinary man who never thought he'd fight 

in a war in a distant land just doing what was right.

Sweet Letters, sweet letter from you

 sweet letters sweet letter from you.

For those who stayed at home it was a worry every day

now she's waiting on you're letter have you have you're part to play

she working in that factory now, helping with the fight

with just you're letters for company to keep her warm at night

Sweet letters, sweet letters from you

sweet letters,sweet letters from you.

The Roses are Red the sweet violets are so blue

and every days she awaits a letter from you

sweet letters, sweet letters from you

sweet letters, sweet letters from you.

                                                                                                                copyrite Clare Banks 2011

Here's one of the Poppies I made earlier in the year for the local libraries WW1 commemoration, I think I'm going to make some more to send over to Folkestone,  if you want to make some too, you can find the free pattern for this crocheted Poppy 'here'.

Clare xx