Poignant services this weekend to mark First World War

Special church services, a parade and a roll call of ‘the fallen’ will be held in Bury this weekend to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Residents, ex-servicemen and relatives of those who lost family members in the Great War are warmly invited to attend the events.

Bury Parish Church will hold a service on Sunday 3 August, taken by the Rector of Bury, the Rev Dr John Findon, starting at 11.30am. The service will be broadcast live outside the church for those unable to get in, who will be given copies of the order of service.

The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Michelle Wiseman, will lay a wreath after the service on behalf of the people of the borough.

A parade including military and civilian voluntary organisations will make its way to the church for the service, moving off from Knowsley Street at 11am. After the service, some of those taking part will attend a Fusilier Drum Head service in Gallipoli Garden in commemoration of Minden Day.

On Monday 4 August, the centenary of the start of the war, an evening vigil service will take place in the church from 7pm to 9.30pm to remember military personnel from Bury who died in the conflict.

A roll call of around 2,100 names will be read out, with candles lit and prayers said. Local authority and Fusiliers leaders will be in attendance as well as the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mr Warren J Smith.

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, will be among those who will read out the names of the fallen at the vigil. He said: “This will be an extremely poignant occasion, when we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Also this weekend:

 
• On Saturday 2 August, the town’s Castle Armoury will hold an ‘open day’ from 11am to 3.30pm, with stands from the Reserve Armed Forces, cadet organisations and voluntary groups.


 
• Bury Parish Church will have a  week-long flower festival beginning on Sunday 3 August, when a Holy Communion service will be taken at 6.30pm by the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev David Walker. The Fusilier Band and Corp of Drums will perform Great War-themed music on Wednesday 6 August at 7.30pm, and the church will host a “For the Fallen” musical concert event on Saturday 9 August from 7.30pm.
  


• A large image of a flame will be projected onto the wall of Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre on Monday 4 August as part of the national Lights Out initiative. It will shine from 10pm to 11pm.
  

There are many events taking place across the borough this year to commemorate the First World War. For details of some of them, go to http://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1840&FID=412

ENDS

Press release issued: 29 July 2014.