Over a reflective weekend, Bryanston held a Remembrance Service on Sunday 10 November, in St Martin’s Church on the Bryanston Estate. The service provided a chance for the community to pause, reflect and honour the lives lost in conflict, with remembrance for Old Bryanstonians (OBs) and members of Bryanston Village who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Chamber Choir provided a musical backdrop, filling the church with music. During the service, the Heads of School read the names of those remembered, followed by the traditional exhortation. The Last Post and Reveille were played by Will J in Year 13 (A2), marking a moment for solemn reflection. Wreaths were then laid on behalf of the school, the pupils and Bryanston Village.
Reverand Jo Davis, the School Chaplain, reflected: “Those whom we remember today will forever live in the minds of our community. We are grateful that we can live in freedom today because of their ultimate sacrifice. Our responsibility is, of course, to remember but we also have a duty to preserve the way of life for which they died… Let us go out into the world with determination to do as best we can to support others, to live at peace and to love our neighbour.”
The service was broadcast live to parents via BRY.RADIO, to allow the wider Bryanston family to join in remembrance.
In keeping with tradition, the entire school gathered the following day, Monday 11 November, in front of Bryanston’s memorial on the terrace, a place dedicated to remembering OBs who served and sacrificed. Headmaster Richard Jones, along with the Heads of School and Reverend Jo Davis, laid poppy wreaths as a tribute. A minute of silence followed, with the Last Post and Reveille, played once more by Will J, resonating across the grounds as a timeless call of respect and remembrance.
Bryanston Prep pupils also held a commemorative gathering, listening to readings about the significance of Remembrance Day and scattered poppy seeds in the Forest School, a symbolic gesture to honour those who served. Leading up to the day, the children made their own different coloured poppies and learnt the significance of each.
This weekend was a testament to Bryanston’s commitment to remembering the past and recognising the sacrifices made for our future.
