BLACKHAM REMEMBERS
We would welcome the donations towards the cost of our village Tommy, who will be unveiled at our village's 2018 Remembrance Sunday ceremony. The total population of Blackham in 1914 was around 300 people. From the roll of honour displayed in the village church and the names on our Church Lychgate war memorial we know 64 signed up for war. 13 never returned a shocking loss for a small community. This life size Tommy will be permanently displayed in the heart of the village, as a poignant and lasting reminder of those Fallen. Our village Tommy will join those that are being displayed nationally and internationally.

'There But Not There' is the 2018 Armistice project for the charity 'Remembered'. Its aims are to inspire communities to organise fund raising events to purchase and install Tommy silhouettes and figures for use in a public space, so as to educate all generations about why armed forces serve their country. 'Remembered' will also help raise substantial funds to help heal those suffering from the hidden wounds of war. Your donation and the funds raised through the sales of the Tommy figures will contribute to the work of the following charities: Walking With The Wounded, Combat Stress, Help for Heroes, Project Equinox: Housing Veterans and Medical Students and Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.

Blackham’s Church Lych-Gate, WW1 war memorial, was completed and unveiled on 31 July 1921. Made of stone and oak wood it displays the names of villagers killed. Every November on Remembrance Sunday, our village remembers at the Church Lych-gate. Villagers and relatives of the villagers honoured join a standard bearer from the Royal British Legion in a short remembrance ceremony. The short 2018 commemoration will be at the Blackham Church Lych-Gate,12:30 on Sunday November 11, followed by refreshments and exhibit in the village hall.

On the evening of 6 October 2018 at Blackham village hall is a special evening of entertainment for the village community to celebrate and reflect the Great War Centenary. There will be wartime meal, music and singing to support the 'There But Not There' charity and to raise funds for our Blackham Tommy. For more details go to www.blackham-village.co.uk