The 4th of August 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the day Britain entered the First World War and Jenny Willott, the Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, is encouraging local residents to join the British Legion in a LIGHTS OUT moment of reflection.
To mark the 100th anniversary everyone in the UK is invited to take part in LIGHTS OUT by turning off their lights from 10pm to 11pm on 4th August, leaving on a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection.
The Royal British Legion was founded by British veterans in the aftermath of the First World War and it is hoped that one million candles will be lit across the UK to remember all the Service men and women who gave their lives in the First World War. Some 40,000 Welshman died during World War One.
Work is currently underway to transform the old Jacobs Photographic shop in Cardiff into a new British Legion “Pop-in” Advice & Information Centre, where members of the Armed Forces community will be able to obtain face-to-face support and advice.
Commenting, Jenny Willott MP, said:
“Nearly everyone in the UK has an ancestor directly affected by the First World War. The losses were felt across Wales and the UK as more than 1.1 million lives were sacrificed by men and women in service of the British Empire.
“Everyone can take part in LIGHTS OUT. The act of turning your lights out and just leaving one single light on is simply about stopping to think and reflect on what the outbreak of World War One means to you. Young children can do it before they go to bed and the rest of us can join together in the evening. I hope people will join in and help create a unique national moment for Wales, the United Kingdom and the Royal British Legion.
“The British Legion’s new “Pop-in” Advice & Information Centre for Cardiff is a great initiative and one which will support our brave Service men and women. Volunteers are needed to help staff the Centre and anyone interested should contact the Royal British Legion on 0808 802 8080. I hope to visit the Centre when it opens later this year.”
