So Much to Learn...So Little Time

MFL History Trip - Saturday 13th June

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Another day of varying emotions. Started with a trip to Bruges for some shopping (for some).

We then visited the Tyne Cot Cemetery: 12000 gravestones of British and commonwealth troops who fell in the Ypres Salient. 35 000 names on a wall of those whose remains were never discovered. At the time of our visit a Candian family were paying their respects to the grave of a relative. I found this an extraordinary and almost unbearable act of remembrance.

That evening we went to the Menin Gate which was covered in the previous post.

Finally we adjourned to the Atlantik Bowling Alley in Ypres were Patrick welcomed us most royally. Will was top scorer, but The Dude wasn't far behind; and yes Thomas did beat Mrs Sinclair.

Music:

A Dieu La Terre by Marie Delsaux from the album Sang Pareil!

links for 2009-06-14

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Menin Gate - Last Post Ceremony

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As part of the trip we wanted pupils to be able to take part in and watch the Last Post Ceremony which takes place at 8pm every single day of the year at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

The Menin Gate comemorates  the 55,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who gave their lives in World War One and whose remains have never been found. All of their names are inscribed on the monument.

The ceremony is lead every day by the Buglers from the Ypres Fire Brigade and interested parties apply to lay a wreath. We were lucky enough to be able to assist in the ceremony and Jessica and Thomas laid our wreath on behalf of The Gordon Schools and The Ex-Servicemen's Club (who we would like to thanks for providing the wreath.)

MFL / History Trip - Thursday and Friday

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This is the story of our trip so far.

The bus and ferry journey passed off very smoothly with the group enjoying and calm crossing.

Friday was an intense day which started with a visit to In Flanders Fields Museum followed by a workshop in the Cat Attic of the Cloth Hll in Ypres. After lunch (and a first visit to a chocolate shop) we set off on an eye-opening tour of the Ypres Salient lead by Wouter, one of the tour guides.

He took us through John McCrae's Essex Farm Cemetery, to the Yorkshire Trench and Dugout, followed by St Charles de Potyse French Cemetery and Hill 60. We finished off at The Menin Gate which commemorate 55000 Commonwealth soldiers whose remains have never been found.

The music is taken from the album "Opus Solemnis" by Ehma, which can be downloaded freely and legally from Jamendo

Take a look also at our Photo Album.

links for 2009-06-11

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