Gloucester will be lit red for Remembrance

16th October 2018

Gloucester Cathedral will be lit red to mark Armistice 2018 and the Centenary of the end of World War One.

The Tower of Gloucester Cathedral will glow red each night as a sign of Remembrance from Monday 5 November to Friday 16 November.

The Cathedral’s full programme of events and commemorations starts this week with the installation of ‘Poppyfall’, GCHQ’s giant waterfall of handmade poppies.

The “poppyfall” was created by GCHQ staff and friends to launch the Royal British Legion’s Gloucestershire 2016 Poppy Appeal and will be on display in the Lady Chapel from 17 October.
It was originally on display at the intelligence agency’s Cheltenham HQ and is a testament to their continued support for the military and the Legion.

‘Poppyfall’ will be on display until Saturday 24 November, when Gloucester Cathedral Choir will perform the world premiere of Ian King’s setting of Carol Ann Duffy’s poem “The Christmas Truce” the story of the unofficial ceasefire on Christmas Day 1914 on the Western Front.

The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester, said “Remembrance is something deeply rooted in our souls. It recalls both the horror of war, and the sacrifice of those whose names we honour. Jesus said, ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ John 15.13. In these events we commemorate those who have done just this for us.”

Everyone is invited to join any or all of the commemorative services and events at Gloucester Cathedral. You are welcome to spend as little or as much time as you wish, light a candle, sit in quiet reflection or just be here, the Cathedral’s doors are open. Full details of all the services and events can be found on the Cathedral website.