Remembering: 100 Years On

In common with many people across the country, we have remembered the outbreak of the First World War, 100 years ago today.

We gathered at our village church for Choral Evensong which concluded with an Act of Remembrance.

The names of all 72 men commemorated on the war memorials of the 4 villages of our Parish were read out, then members of the congregation lit 72 candles, one for each man, and placed them in the shape of a cross in the chancel.

Here I am with the list of names which made poignant reading.

The service took place this evening and the candles should burn for around 3 hours. This means they will burn out at around 11.00 p.m. the very time that war was declared.

I was pleased to discover, however, that there will still be light; a 7 day candle will take up the role of symbolically shining in the darkness and, the amazing thing is, that the 7 day candle will be replaced every week for the next 4 years, until the anniversary of the end of the war comes round.

The 7 day candle is on my left in the next picture.

It will look amazing as darkness falls and I'm very moved by the fact that there will be constant candlelight for 4 years. 

It's important to remember: both the lives of the fallen and the fact that the light of God will never be extinguished. 

Love Gio and all at Bears Unlimited xxx