The Mayor of Harrow is inviting members of the community to sign special poppies to mark one hundred years since the end of the First World War.

Councillor Kareema Marikar is encouraging people to write their own messages of peace and hope on specially designed cardboard poppies which will then be placed on a commemorative Poppy Wall at Harrow Civic Centre on November 11.

The act marks the Armistice Centenary and Remembrance Sunday.

Anyone interested in writing a message should visit the Civic Centre or a library in the area to pick up their poppy.

After writing her own poppy message, Cllr Marikar, said: “In World War I, millions of people were sent to kill and be killed – simply because they came from different countries.

"When we remember those that died 100 years ago, we must also celebrate today that here in the UK those days are gone – and raise our voices to support peace and harmony among people from all backgrounds.

“I hope everyone will get involved in some of the activities and events in Harrow to mark this occasion. The next few weeks are about learning from the past and looking to the future .”

Cllr Graham Henson, leader of the council, said: “This day will have so much poignance and meaning for so many of our residents, who carry their own memories of war and messages of peace and reconciliation to share.

“What better symbol for Harrow’s wall of peace than the poppy, which grows in the graveyards and the battlefields, to show how beauty and nature will ultimately prevail over the horrors that have gone before.”

On November 11, the annual Parade leaves St Ann's at 10am and makes its way to the Civic Centre for 10.45am.

The mayor will lead the service outside the civic’s War Memorial, where a two- minute silence will be held at 11am.

The occasion also includes readings of the winning entries from the Schools Remembrance Day Poetry Competition. Later that day, a beacon will be lit outside Harrow Arts Centre.

A round-up of Remembrance events

Young Artist Competition Harrow 1918: Lest We Forget Now Until November 1, Harrow Arts Centre
Budding artists aged 16-25 are tasked with creating work exploring the role of Indian communities in the First World War.

October 20

St Anselm’s Church, Hatch End, Starts 11.40am

Victoria Cross Centenary Service in Commemoration of Padre Hardy VC DSO MC. He was educated in Harrow at the Royal Commercial Travellers School, Hatch End, before becoming a British Army chaplain. His was awarded for “conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty”. Aged over 50, “his quiet unobtrusive manner, won the respect and admiration of the whole division”.

October 30
War memorials across the borough
The Mayor will lay wreaths at the ten memorials, accompanied by HM The Queen’s Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Harrow, Mr. Simon Ovens DL, and standard bearers.

We Will Remember: Family Drama Workshop
October 25, 11am - 3pm
Headstone Manor & Museum
FREE (no booking necessary) Ages 3+
A special half term drama workshop for parents and children. With the support of professional dramatist and the museum team, create and perform short plays telling the story of the Great War in Harrow.

Cartoon Creation Day
November 4, 11am - 3pm
Heath Robinson Museum
£6 Adults / £4 Children  Ages 5+ (£1 booking fee)
As well as designing government propaganda about the war, Heath Robinson played a role in cheering on the soldiers struggling on the front, sending humorous cartoons and writing letters. Tour the museum and view some of these artworks and letters in a special pop-up exhibition together with museum staff in the morning, and then create your own cartoons inspired by what you have seen with the help of Steve Marchant, of London’s Cartoon Museum, in the afternoon.

Oh, What a Lovely War
November 7, 2pm - 4:15pm
Elliott Hall
£3 Cert PG (£1 BOOKING FEE)
See the classic 1969 British comedy musical film directed by Richard Attenborough, with a luminary ensemble cast including Maggie Smith, John Gielgud, John Mills, Laurence Olivier and many more. The Smith family initially view the war with sunny optimism. But after their sons  witness the reality of trench warfare, their illusions are shattered.

War Horse
November 7, 7:30pm - 9:45pm
Elliott Hall
£3 Cert 12 (£1 BOOKING FEE)
Michael Morpugo’s classic novel is brought to the silver screen by legendary director Steven Spielberg. Albert (Jeremy Irvine) and his beloved horse, Joey are forcibly parted when Albert’s father sells the horse to the British cavalry at the start of WW1. Joey begins an odyssey full of danger, joy and sorrow, and transforms everyone he meets along the way.Meanwhile Albert joins up to search the devastation of the French battlefields to find Joey and bring him home.

A Day to Remember: Remembrance Parade
The annual parade, led by the Glen Trew Pipe Band, will leave St Ann's at 10am and make its way to the Civic Centre outside the Harrow War Memorial for 10.45am. Servicemen past and present are invited to join the march with their medals – or perhaps relatives of those who have served would like to show them off. Bells will ring out in unison from temples across the borough to mark the 100 years since Armistice at 11am.

A Day to Remember: Community Takeover Day
November 11, 12pm - 4pm
Harrow Arts Centre
FREE (no booking necessary)

Marking 100 years to the day since the end of the ‘War to end all wars’, join Harrow Arts Centre for a day of remembrance - featuring creative heritage activities, performances and workshops for all the family throughout the day exploring this milestone in British history.