Photo gallery: Lights go out in Norwich as the city remembers the outbreak of the First World War
To mark the 100th anniversary of World War One, people in Norwich come together at the war memorial for the Lights Out initiative.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. - Credit: Archant Norfolk
As lights went out around the country, Norwich came together by candlelight to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War.
To mark the 100th anniversary of World War One, people in Norwich come together at the war memorial for the Lights Out initiative. The candle light procession follows on from the service at Norwich Cathedral. Picture by SIMON FINLAY. - Credit: Archant Norfolk
Services at Norwich Cathedral and the Roman Catholic Cathedral ended with processions which met at the war memorial for a joint commemoration.
Opening the ceremony outside City Hall, Lord Mayor of Norwich Judith Lubbock said it was important to remember the outbreak of war, even after so many years.
She said: 'Several generations have gone by but we still want to remember and want to understand the events of a hundred years ago.'
She also said it was important not just to talk about the sacrifices made in terms of numbers of lives lost, but to consider the soldiers as 'somebody's son, father, brother or friend.'
As City Hall, Norwich Castle, St Peter Mancroft Church and the Guildhall were all in darkness, the only light came from the war memorial and candles held by the hundreds who turned out in remembrance.
The Lights Out initiative was observed throughout the city as people used a single candle and switched off all other lights .
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It was inspired by wartime foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey's supposed words on the eve of Great Britain's entry into the war. In a reading at last night's ceremony, the words were repeated: 'The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.'
The Dean of Norwich, the Ven Jane Hedges, led the procession from Norwich Cathedral and urged people to pray for peace. She said: 'We gather in the heart of our city to commemorate the outbreak of the 'war to end all wars' 100 years ago. To remember with deep gratitude the courage, devotion and example of those who laid down their loves for our country. To commend to God all who still suffer as a result of war and, recognising our own responsibility, to pray for peace and justice in our world today.'
