Town remembers the fallen

On August 3 and 4 Banbridge will pause to commemorate the start of the First World War.

The combined Loyal Orders, including the Orange, Black, Apprentice Boys, Women and Junior sections, will hold a parade in the town on Sunday August 3 at 5.30pm before a church service is held in Seapatrick Parish Church at 6.30pm.

There will also be a wreath laying ceremony by senior members of the Loyal Orders in Banbridge and the dedication of a new memorial at Banbridge Orange Hall.

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On Monday August 4, the 100th anniversary of the declaration of war, the Royal British Legion will hold a commemoration service at the town’s war memorial at 7.30pm.

Banbridge District Council will also be taking part in the ‘Lights Out’ campaign at both the Civic building and the Old Town Hall.

‘Lights Out’, a UK-wide event, encourages people to turn out their lights for one hour from 10pm until 11pm on Monday August 4, leaving only a single candle burning, as a time of reflection.

The campaign remembers the words of Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary, August 1914, who, at the outbreak of war, said: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime”

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The council are also involved in a commemorative service and tree planting ceremony in Solitude park on Sunday September 14 at 3pm to mark the centenary of the beginning of the First World War.

In the lead up to both these events the council have also organised a series of lectures and historical tours highlighting the involvement sacrifice made by members of all communities in World War One.

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