Lights Switch Off 10pm

SwingsitlikeHogan

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As a commemoration/remembrance of the start of the Great War are you going to switch your lights off for an hour at 10pm tonight and spend a candlelit hour with your loved one (who may be yourself). Recalls

The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time

British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey may have remarked on the eve of Britain's entry into the First World War.
 
I'll be turning the lights out but mainly because it's bed time. To be honest this is the first I've read about the whole idea.
 
Lights off..........nice idea.

Expect the birth rate to rise significantly in 9 mths time
 
I asked my 19 yr old daughter and one of her friends what they knew about the Great War and also about the Commonwealth. They knew of the Great War (though not that WWI is often referred to as that). Daughters friend knew nowt about the Commonwealth - didn't know what it is.

I think the idea of switching lights off tonight is good. Apparently Westminster, the major banks and other city businesses are switching off. Don't know what's being done wider than London - but we'll switch our lights off.
 
If I'm honest, probably not, or at best will have an early night. It seems an odd way to commemorate this day if you ask me. The events already taken place in Belgium and elsewhere are enough to make me remember the fallen and be thankful that it wasn't in my lifetime unlike my grandfather who was a veteran of the Somme. I don't see what relevance sitting in the dark for an hour because someone, somewhere thought it would be a good idea has to any of it and I doubt if half the population even know about it.
 
If I'm honest, probably not, or at best will have an early night. It seems an odd way to commemorate this day if you ask me. The events already taken place in Belgium and elsewhere are enough to make me remember the fallen and be thankful that it wasn't in my lifetime unlike my grandfather who was a veteran of the Somme. I don't see what relevance sitting in the dark for an hour because someone, somewhere thought it would be a good idea has to any of it and I doubt if half the population even know about it.
Just asked in office- not one person knew about it.

Show a good few documentaries as well as some of the excellent WW1 movies to help people understand and remember would be my view.
 
It may seem a bit trite, but the Horrible Histories 1st World War special on CBBC today was bloody excellent. It managed to be extremely funny, informative and poignant at the same time, and caused my 8 year old to ask some questions and gave her a good understanding of what went on.

To be honest I think Horrible Histories should be on the national curriculum as it was a genius of a program.
 
Good to see that @palindromicbob and @Liverpoolphil had heard and are switching off. Mind you it won't be that much of a change for us as my OH likes to have lights off and us watching TV (or chatting) by candlelight in the evening. Saves ££s as well.
 
To be honest 1st i heard of it was this morning on the radio when they where reporting about Blackpool tower lights being switched off so yeah ill be doing my bit to remember them its only lights out for an hr they at least deserve that not much to ask..
 
It may seem a bit trite, but the Horrible Histories 1st World War special on CBBC today was bloody excellent. It managed to be extremely funny, informative and poignant at the same time, and caused my 8 year old to ask some questions and gave her a good understanding of what went on.

To be honest I think Horrible Histories should be on the national curriculum as it was a genius of a program.
still is, in fact I'm sure they won a bafta (or TV equivalent recently) they make history really interesting
 
On the day our political leaders vow they will learn from the past, the British Army once again has more horses than main battle tanks.

My lights will be out but I will be remembering some of my friends and their families.
 
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Lights will be off, candle will be lit.


Slime.
 
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With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
 
In particular I shall remember by grandfather - joined the Scottish Horse - the Black Watch mounted regiment raised by the Duke of Atholl in 1914. In BEF to Turkey and wounded at the Dardanelles; after recuperation was sent went to France and served in trenches and was gassed. Sent home and invalided out. Suffered from effects of being gassed for rest of his life.
 
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