Public urged to light an Armistice Day beacon
Members of the public are being invited to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day on Nov 11 by lighting beacons in their back yards. The creators of Battle’s Over, the nationwide commemoration of the Armistice, hope to encourage the public to build, buy or borrow a beacon to stage events for their community or even in their own gardens with the blessing of the emergency services. The organisers say the campaign is intended to “symbolise the light of hope that emerged from the darkness of war”.
AS THE nation commemorates the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day on Nov 11, members of the public will come together to mark the occasion in town squares, churches and cenotaphs across the land.
The commemorations will not be limited to public spaces, but will extend to back gardens, as the organisers of a major First World War centenary project invite people to light beacons of their own.
The creators of Battle’s Over, the nationwide commemoration of the Armistice, hope to encourage the public to build, buy or borrow a beacon – or build a bonfire – to stage events for their community or even in their own gardens, with the blessing of the emergency services.
Intended to “symbolise the light of hope that emerged from the darkness of war”, the event could involve more than a thousand beacons being lit throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, with the first set at Westminster Abbey at 7pm on Nov 11.
Organisers are promoting a special gas-fuelled beacon produced for the day, noting that “afterwards, it can be stored and used for future events”.
The idea for the beacons come from the words of Sir Edward Grey on Aug 3 1914, who looked out of his window in London at dusk and remarked: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.” Next month, 100 years after the end of the “war to end all wars”, Battle’s Over – described as the “nation’s tribute” – will invite members of the public to find a way to stop and remember the fallen.
It takes its name from When The Battle’s Over, the tune that was traditionally played on pipes by the Scottish regiments at the end of a battle.
On Nov 11, more than 1,300 pipers around the world will play the tune at 6am, from village greens and in high streets, to a lone piper in front of the Tomb Of The Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey in London.
Bruno Peek, 67, the pageant master who is coordinating the events, said it is designed to create a “swathe of sound across the world” starting in New Zealand, bearing in mind different time zones.
The next element of the tribute will not be until the evening so as not to “interfere” with Remembrance Sunday, he said.
More than 1,000 buglers will play the Last Post at individual First World War beacon sites at 6.55pm, and the beacons will be lit at 7pm to signify the light that came out of the darkness of war.
More than 140 town criers will then undertake A Cry For Peace Around The World at 7.05pm, and more than 1,000 churches will ring their bells as a finale to the day.
“It’s going to pay tribute to the millions who either died or returned home dreadfully wounded during or after the war finished on Nov 11 1918,” said Mr Peek, a former welder who has organised events to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee and 90th birthday, as well as the 50th and 70th Anniversary V-E Day Beacons. “I wanted to put together an international project that was led by the people of the world, not by governments or organisations but real communitybased commemorations, because, as we know, so many soldiers who died came from local communities, small towns and parishes, not just in the UK
but other countries around the world.” Cry for Peace will be led by a Chelsea Pensioner from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
In Ypres in Belgium, where five battles were fought, four town criers will undertake the cry together in the market square in French, German, Dutch and English.
An event guide suggests that members of the public could use existing beacon braziers, a traditional bonfire beacon or a new beacon brazier on a tall wooden pole.
“The beacon must be supervised by two people at all times when lit and a fire extinguisher must be provided,” it states.
Advising those who wish to join in to seek advice from the fire brigade, undertake risk assessments and secure the correct insurance, the guidelines suggest that local dignitaries should be invited, and competitions held to see who should have the honour of lighting it.
Full instructions on how to join in can be found at the Battle’s Over website, with a closing date for official submissions on Oct 25.
‘I wanted to put together a project that was led by the people of the world, not by governments’