A TRULY uplifting service of dedication and blessing was held at St Christopher’s Church on Sunday to mark Haslemere’s spectacular tribute to the 2018 WWI centenary commemorations.

It saw Surrey Archdeacon The Ven Paul Davies ascend the tower by ladder to receive a new flag of St George from the county’s Lord Lieutenant Michael More-Molyneux on a cherry-picker.

It was a fitting climax to the loftiest of projects, in which Haslemere’s “Community Ken” Griffiths masterminded an appeal to raise £13,500.

The cash helped replace the church flagpole, regild the Arts and Crafts cross that tops it, create two giant swathes of more than 12,000 handmade poppies to hang down the sides of the tower and unfurl a newflag of St George.

Eight schools and thousands of individuals and oranisations responded to the appeal, and the flagpole, cross and poppies were placed in position to great dramatic effect last Thursday.

Surrey’s Archdeacon and Lord Lieutenant then ascended to new heights on Sunday as part of the celebratory service packed with supporters, including the mayor and Surrey Royal British Legion’s president.

Leading the service, the Archdeacon said: “This occasion is truly remarkable. I am so moved by the way in which Haslemere and surrounding communities have come together in such a powerful way.

“This is a visible sign in memory of those who gave their lives and an expression of the solidarity of this remarkable community.

“The poppies cascading down the tower are absolutely stunning and special congratulations to all the school children who made them.

“They are here to make sure that as a town and a community we never forget the sacrifices made.”

Adressing the congregation, Mr Griffiths said: “We are here to celebrate a magnificent community project. Your project. A town and surrounding villages project.

“Personally, I look upon the new cross as a beacon of hope shining out for the future across Haslemere.

“Over 2,000 people have been involved. The amount of poppies made by local schools is absolutely phenomenal.”