Cllr Valerie Bossman-Quarshie with Combined Cadet Force members

WREATHS were laid at Islington Green on Remembrance Sunday in honour of those who died in wars.

The annual service included a Black Poppy Rose laid by Councillor Valerie Bossman-Quarshie to remember the black soldiers who died during the First World War.

The Bunhill councillor said it was an “honour” to lay the wreath in Islington, adding: “This is the second black poppy wreath in the borough, and I’m hoping to do a third next year in the north of the borough where I was born and bred.”

Councillors at the war memorial

The councillor said that the event, which saw different groups lay wreaths at the war memorial, was particularly important this year given the conflict in the Middle East.

“We’ve almost normalised war, and become desensitised to the fact that people are actually dying. So, that’s why it was important to me to mark the fallen soldiers,” she said.

Cllr Bossman-Quarshie said she also wanted to make sure that representation is given to soldiers who are often overlooked.

Mayor Gary Heather on Remembrance Sunday

“It’s always about representation. I feel like I’m the only one left – all of the Islingtonians that were born and raised here, very few of us stay in the borough, so taking up public office is really important,” she said.

“It’s about extending Black History Month, keeping that conversation going 365. It’s great that I get to lay that wreath.

“Hopefully other people will see it laying there, and hopefully do some research themselves.”

Wreaths were also laid at the Town Hall and the war memorial in Spa Green on Remembrance Sunday.