Calderdale Council is taking part in the RoyalBritish Legion’s Lights Out campaign to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
On Monday 4 August 2014 the Council is turning off the lights in Halifax Town Hall from 10pm to 11pm, and lighting a candle to illuminate the Book of Remembrance which is kept in the building.
The book is a record of the people from the local area who lost their lives during the First World War, and commemorates the sacrifices they made. Lighting the candle is also an opportunity to remember everyone who served in the war, and shows the community’s respect for everything they went through.
The event is being hosted by the Mayor of Calderdale, Cllr Patricia Allen, and attendees will include representatives from Calderdale Council, the Parish Councils, the Royal British Legion, the Deputy Lieutenant’s office, Halifax Great War Society, Halifax Antiquarians Society and the Scouts.
During the hour there will be a series of readings and recollections from the First World War, focusing on local personalities and events. A temporary exhibition will showcase images and articles from the months leading up to the outbreak of the First World War, illustrating what was happening in Calderdale at the time. The exhibition will be in place for two weeks. At the end of the event, the Last Post will be played by a member of Elland Silver Band.
Lights Out is an appeal to everyone in the UK to turn off their lights between 10pm and 11pm on 4 August 2014 – leaving only a single light or candle.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Marcus Thompson, said:
“We are proud to be involved in the Lights Out campaign. The event at the Town Hall is a symbol of our community’s respect for those who gave so much during the First World War, and is just one of the ways we are marking the centenary of its outbreak. It allows us to reflect on the sacrifices that people made, and we encourage local people to get involved by turning off their lights between 10pm and 11pm on Monday.”