Country to turn off the lights to remember WWI centenary

Across the country hundreds of venues including churches, war memorials and iconic buildings will turn off their lights, 10pm-11pm, leaving on a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection to mark the centenary.

The inspiration for LIGHTS OUT came from a famous remark made on the eve of the outbreak of war by the then Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time”.

People are invited to take part in whatever way they can, whether personally at home or at an organised event.

A service will take place at Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury, 5.30pm-8.30pm. The candles will be blown out at 8.25pm and a vigil candle will be lit and left in church as a sign of hope.

In Spen, St Paul’s in Birkenshaw will hold a vigil, 10pm-11pm; Whitechapel Church in Cleckheaton’s Dimming of the Light remembrance will be at 10.30pm, and the St Peter’s service at Hartshead, 10.45pm-11.45pm.

There will be an event at Morley Town Hall from 9.30pm. Following the last chime of the town hall clock at 10pm, a two minute silence by candlelight will be lead by the Mayor of Morley.

Across the country, Blackpool Illuminations, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the Tate, Eden Project, Durham Cathedral, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Old Trafford, Lincoln Castle and The Royal Liver Building among others will all go dark to commemorate the centenary.