The Royal British Legion Awards Petersfield Society for the Clean Up for Remembrance

At Petersfield’s Remembrance Sunday Services, thousands of local people gather to remember by name those from the town who gave their lives in wars since 1914. The Clean Up for Remembrance is a project initiated by Beth Svarovska and the Petersfield Society, now in its tenth year, aiming to make the whole town as smart as possible for the two minutes silence at 11am. The Clean Up for Remembrance involves a co-ordinated collaboration of volunteers, the local authorities including EHDC’s contractor Norse SE, and local businesses, to sweep, weed, and clear litter and debris to help the town look its best.

David Lodrick, MBE, commented: “Remembrance means so much to all those who served our Country and their families. A chance to acknowledge lost friends and give quiet reflection and thanks to those who fought for the freedoms we have today. To have a voluntary organisation such as the Petersfield Society, give their time to ensure our town looks its best and honours our war dead is incredible. For the last 10 years, the volunteers have given their time and the award was very much overdue. I wish to, on behalf of the branch, say thank you to all.”

At this year’s Clean Up for Remembrance, those volunteering with Petersfield Society included Petersfield’s local bobbies based at the new Police station, and young people and youth leaders from the Kings Arms, who cleared litter and weeded. NorseSE rose to the challenge, using scarabs to clear debris from the gutters, sweeping leaves from the pavements, and cutting growth from the base of the iconic trees around the memorial and the Falkands bench.

It is estimated that 3,000 people attended the service, which was led by Rev Will Hughes of St Peter’s Church. More than 350 cadets took part in the parade alongside members of the RBL who were joined by serving soldiers from 9Bn REME, 1st Petersfield Scout Group, Petersfield Girl guides and Pupils from Herne Junior School. The Parade was led by Standard Bearer Daz Hare from Petersfield RBL with the last post played perfectly by a lone trumpeter from Churcher’s College.

Beth Svarovska commented: “On behalf of all those who have volunteered with the Petersfield Society for Clean Up for Remembrance over the years, I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to the Royal British Legion for their service and for giving us the honour of this award. It is an enduring motivation to work towards improving the street-scene of Petersfield, remembering and respecting the legacy of those who left the safety of this town to go and defend our freedoms.” She went on to say “The Clean Up for Remembrance has so inspired Petersfield people that it has become part of our local culture. At the beginning of the second decade of the project I plan to spread the idea to towns across the country so that it becomes a national, annual way of people supporting the RBL and connecting communities in the spirit of peace and Remembrance.”