"Lights Out" Project
Dear All
On Monday night, 4th August, everyone in the UK is invited to take part in the “LIGHTS OUT” project to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War
Participating individuals or organisations can do so by turning off their lights from 10pm to 11pm on the evening of 4th August, leaving on a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection.
Around the country people can take part in whatever way they choose, marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War either individually or by attending one of the many events being organised around the country for a collective experience.
Here at Freemasons’ Hall in London’s Great Queen Street we will be turning off all lights except those on the Memorial Shrine in the Grand Temple Vestibule. The Shrine commemorates the 3225 brethren who died on active service in the First World War and in whose memory the building was raised.
Please see below a link to the full details of the event, and please feel free to share or circulate this link.
Link to general information on the project: http://www.1418now.org.uk/lights-out/
Link to information on Freemasons’ Hall participation: http://www.1418now.org.uk/lights-out/moment/memorial-shrine-freemasons-hall/
Link to information of Freemasons’ Hall Memorial Shrine: http://www.freemasonry.london.museum/resources/history-of-freemasons-hall/
The national Lights Out event is supported using public funds, approved by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and funded by the heritage lottery fund and the Arts Council for England.
The enormous losses and upheaval incurred by the First World War changed the world forever.
The British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, was among those to glimpse the enormity of the imminent war. Late in the afternoon of 3 August, on the last day of peace, Grey stood at the window of his office in Whitehall and was overwhelmed by a sense of foreboding tragedy. As he looked out he saw that the street lights were being lit down below. He turned to a visiting friend and observed:
‘The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.’
In Britain, the 1914 declaration of war was on 4th August.
Any questions please contact me (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. /020 7395 9302).
W.Bro. Frank Brunsden gave a marvellous rendition of the extended version of the Second Degree tracing board just 6 days before he celebrated his 100th birthday. Those present were aware that Lodge history was being created before their very eyes, and never has this difficult piece of ritual engaged such an attentive assembly, an experience for us all – even more so for the two young Masons fortunate enough to be the recipients of the work.