TWO girls who sum- med up the feeling of their town to the First World War were presented with very special gifts in recognition of their efforts.

Isobel Kiely and Katie Screen penned the message chosen to go on the front of the wreath from Lydney for a mass commemoration of the first ‘Great Pilgrimage’ 90 years ago to the battlefields of Belgium and France.

The duo worked together on the message during RE lessons at Primrose Hill Academy.

The message read: “Every beat that was felt. Every life put on the edge. Every family put at risk and sacrifice. We see you, we love, we remember you.”

The British Legion in Lydney asked schoolchildren in the area to compose a message for the wreath.

Now both pupils at the Dean Academy, the girls were presented each with a Poppy brooch by Lydney British Legion president Mike Houghton.

“It was extremely difficult to choose, but this one stood out,” he said.

Branch chairman of the Lydney British Legion, Ian Hendy, said: “Those of us on the adjudication panel found what you wrote very moving.

“It was very special, very memorable and very suitable about what this community feels about 1914 to 18.”

Isobel said she was surprised that the message she and Katie created was chosen.

Head of Primrose Hill Academy, Vicky Henson, said children in the junior years worked collaboratively to produce messages, but they worked.

“Everyone of these messages are very mea- ningful,” she said, while Katie’s grandmother, Teresa Badcock, said her family was proud of her.