Silence fell at an Enfield park as hundreds gathered to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

Broomfield Park’s war memorial, in Palmers Green, hosted the commemoration of the start of World War One.

Dignitaries from Enfield’s twin towns Courbevoie in France and Gladbeck in Germany joined armed forces veterans as well as leader of Enfield Borough Council Doug Taylor, Mayor of Enfield Ali Bakir and several fellow councillors.

People paid their respects as a choir singers sang Abide with Me, Roses of Picardy, The Sunshine of your Smile, and Keep the Home Fires Burning.

Poems were also read by Anthony Fisher of Enfield Poets.

In his speech, Cllr Taylor said: “It is only right and proper that we remember the start of this awful conflict, which brought industrial warfare to the world for the first time and resulted in the slaughter of millions of people around the globe.

"It is important to remember the terrible events which were sparked on August 4, 1914 so we can learn from the mistakes of history and try to prevent them from ever happening again.
 
“This event is an opportunity to remember the people who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the service to their country during the four years of conflict but also to reiterate our commitment to our European friends in Courbevoie and Gladbeck.”

Following a trumpeter playing out The Last Post, mayor Bakir officially unveiled the visitor information board prepared for the centenary years by the Friends of Broomfield Park.

Lights went out across the borough between 10pm and11pm as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives fighting in the war.

Enfield Borough Council’s civic centre, in Silver Street, had only its tenth floor lit up to depict a candle.

Valerie Tait of the Royal British Legion commended the event and said: “It was a really lovely day to mark a sad occasion when so many people lost their lives.

“There wasn’t a family in the country that was not affected by the horrors of the Great War and that should always be remembered.

“We had some beautiful signers perform very moving pieces and we would like to thank everyone who came down to commemorate the start of the war.”