Friends of Gipsy Hill

18th December 2019 – update. HUGE thank you to the EVERYONE who supported the Poppy Tin Appeal this year!  Over 50 poppy tins distributed, collected and counted helped riase the total £6,151.93 for the Poppy Appeal from Gipsy Hill, Upper Norwood and South Norwood.

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10th November 2019

The day the Crystal Palace community and traffic paused to reflect and remember, at the 11th Hour, of the 11th Month 2019. A day for sadness and compassion, where the few stood still for the many. For those who served in two Great Wars, for those who did not return, and for then and for now in recent times. Lest we forget what their memories mean.
(click for video)

A HUGE thanks to Major Phil Layton for the Salvation Army Rembrance Day Service and their Brass Band, and as host for refreshments afterwards.   Also HUGE thanks to the 1st Crystal Palace Scouts Group, that includes Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers and of their proud support in the Service, readings (and for tidynig the Westow Green and memorial in advance). And thanks for Brownies for attending and for their support. Special thanks to Friends of Gipsy Hill and Crystal Palace Festival for organising this event,  and help with organising and stewarding along with the Scouts… and not forgetting thanks for all the Scouts for their epic help with poppy collections and lowing of the flags during sounding of the Last Post… And… very proud thanks to the Mayor representatives: Croydon Past Mayor Pat Ryan and for Bromley Cllr Marina Ahmad, and Upper Norwood Cllrs Nina Degrads and Stephen Mann, our Upper Norwood Police Team, and Steve Reed, and all the cross border Cllrs, the Phoenix Centre, CBRE for maintaining The Green, and all the local groups who attended… and the amazing and respectful Crystal Palace community who always make this a most special and moving town centre Remembrance Service. We are all proud to stand together, and remember.

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Lest We Forget. There will be the Crystal Palace Remembrance Day Service on Sunday 10th November 2019, at the Upper Norwood War Memorial (Westow Street, in front of Sainsbury’s).

The Salvation Army Service will be supported by the 1st Crystal Palace Scouts and Explorers, and Friends of Gipsy Hill, starting from 10.30 am with the Salvation Army band playing before the Service.  The outdoor Remembrance Day Service starts at 10.45am.  The formal act of remembrance and laying of Wreathes will take place at 11am, following the 2 minutes silence and the playing of the last post.  Refreshments to be available afterwards in the Salvation Army community hall.  With thanks to Crystal Palace Festival team for access to the Westow Street Green.

Outdoor Service, Sunday 10th November.

• 10.30 am – Salvation Army Band to play pre-service music at Memorial
• 10.45 am – Service to begin led by Salvation Army Commanding Officer
• 11.00 am –  Two minutes silence
• 11.15 am – Service to conclude
• 11.20 am – Refreshments to be served at The Salvation Army

There will also be an indoor service at 10.45 am held inside by The Salvation Army, for those who wish to be seated and/or covered.

 

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The Poppy Appeal
Poppies are available in various locations in Crystal Palace and Gipsy Hill, including; Bookseller Crow, Smash Bang Wallop (Westow Street) and Upper Norwood Library (Westow Hill), Martins Estate Agents (Church Road), The Paxton Centre (Anerley Hill) and Brown & Green (Gipsy Hill Station), The Railway Pub (Cawnpore Street, Gipsy Hill), The Paxton Pub (Gipsy Hill), The Woodhouse Pub (Sydenham Hill), and Conquering Hero (Beulah Hill).

 

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The Upper Norwood War Memorial
The memorial was originally located outside the White Hart Hotel, on Church Road at the end of Westow Street. It was made possible from a locally organised community fund that raised £2,400, with £1,500 given towards the Norwood Cottage Hospital.  The London Brewery Company generously gave the land for this memorial.  It was unveiled on 29 April 1922 in a ceremony attended by the then Lord Mayor of London.

The memorial was later moved, and rededicated on Sunday 10th June 1956, to its (now) current location on Westow Street.

(click for news as reported in 1922)

With the help of the Crystal Palace Foundation, the Memorial was recently been listed with Historic England (February 2017), and it is now designated Grade II. The front face bears the inscription:

TO THE
MEMORY
OF THE MEN
OF UPPER
NORWOOD
WHO GAVE
THEIR LIVES IN
THE GREAT WAR
1914 – 1918
ALSO
COMMEMORATING
ALL THOSE
WHO DIED IN THE
1939 – 1945
WAR.

AS A LASTING MEMORIAL
AN ENDOWMENT FOR THE NORWOOD
COTTAGE HOSPITAL WAS PROVIDED
AND THIS MONUMENT ERECTED.

For their country they died
In it’s memory they live.

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