Tributes will be paid at war memorial, despite Crouch End Royal British Legion closing

LOCAL servicemen and women who paid the greatest sacrifice for freedom will continue to be remembered this weekend thanks to a local group saving the Remembrance Day parade.

Following the closure of Hornsey Royal British Legion (RBL) earlier this year, fears were raised that the traditional parade, which laid wreaths at the war memorial near the Hornsey Health Centre, would not take place.

But a group of local cadets have stepped in to ensure that, though the arrangements for the day are slightly different than usual, respects will still be paid at the Crouch End war memorial.

Royal marine Cadet Staff Officer for London, Major Paul Carroll is one of those helping to organise the parade and said it was crucial that respects were still paid.

“The whole ethos of remembrance is that it is important that it is kept going,” he said.

“We would not be where we are today if it was not for people who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Hornsey RBL members voted to close the branch in July following lack of support and funds, before its club on Elder Street shut its doors in early August.

Former RBL secretary and member of 35 years, Barry Greenwin, said: “I’m very pleased the younger people of this world are taking it on.

“I think it’s marvellous personally.”

As part of the arrangements on Sunday, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the war memorial on Park Road at 10.30am.

This will then be followed by a service at 10.45am at St Mary and St George Church in Cranley Gardens and a one minute silence will be observed at 11am.

All are welcome to join the parade.

Other remembrance services will be taking place at the Wood Green and Tottenham war memorials.

Mayor of Haringey, Cllr Eddie Griffith, who will be joining the Wood Green service on Sunday said: “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the men and women who lost their lives defending this country.

“These ceremonies are our tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“I would like to encourage residents to wear their poppies with pride and invite them to join us at one of the three services and ask everyone in the borough to remember the dead with a minute’s silence both on Armistice Day and on Remembrance Sunday.”