Today, November 8, a specially made beacon has been installed on The Common ready for the Battle’s Over ceremony on Sunday November 11. TH White, together with town council groundsmen, had the tricky job of erecting it in very blustery conditions.
The whole community is invited to join in and to share in thisimportant National Tribute. The Frees Avenue gate to The Common will be open from 6pm and parking will be available inside. Hot drinks and soup will be on sale. Everyone is encouraged to bring along torches.
At 6.55pm a bugler will sound the Last Post. At 7pm the beacon will be lit by Town Mayor, Lisa Farrell, in a tribute called Beacons of Light, signifying the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of four years of war.
Then at 7.05pm bell ringers at St Mary’s Church will join other churches across the country ringing their bells as part of Ringing Out for Peace. Marlborough’s Town Crier, Mike Tupman, with more than 100 other Town Criers up and down the country and around the world, will perform a specially-written Cry for Peace Around The World.
Finally, as the bells continue ringing in the background, the names of the fallen from Marlborough will be remembered.
This has been a joint Town Council and Rotary Club venture. Stewart Dailly, President of the Rotary Club said: “One hundred years ago the lights came on after four long years of darkness. We in Rotary are honoured to be here with Marlborough Town Council to commemorate, with people from around the world, the sacrifices of the brave men and women, especially those from in and around Marlborough, who served their country through those dreadful times.”
Councillor Lisa Farrell, Town Mayor said: “This is a tremendous honour for me and a chance for Marlborough to join with thousands in an international tribute recognising the sacrifice made by so many and, at the same time, giving us a chance to remember those from our own town. All are heroes.”
Marlborough Rugby Football Club has given enormous support offering up its facilities with Club members helping out too. Redrow Homes, housing developers at the new Salisbury Road site, has named its streets after some of those from Marlborough who served in WW1 and has also made a large contribution towards the cost of the specially made beacon. TH White, and many other local people and organisations have made this special commemoration possible.
At the event The Rotary Club will be raising funds for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and the Royal British Legion (RBL).