1916

I was pleased to attend a short commemoration service at the war memorial in Wolverton this morning. Albert French was an apprentice railwayman from Wolverton and joined up to fight in the First World War only to die aged just 16 in June 1916 at Plugstreet Wood in Flanders.

Owing to this, Wolverton and Plugstreet are now twinned and both towns have bands who take turns each year to visit each other's town and strengthen ties.

Several years ago I joined one of the visits to Plugstreet where the bands played at Albert's grave, which was hugely moving especially as Ann his great niece was in attendance too. She's too unwell these days to come but sent a poem she'd written in his memory which was read out today.

Had a relaxed day afterwards and then a sunny walk with Ruby to the canal. She ran riot in the dense hedgerow. Not sure what's so interesting about this hedge but she's always mad for this particular one ! It was lovely to walk next to a field of golden barley.