Wales to hold National Service of Commemoration to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War
02 / 05 / 2014
First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones and the City of Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Phil Bale have today [2 May 2014] announced that the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council will jointly hold a National Service of Commemoration to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War.
The service will be held on Monday 4 August at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff. The service will take the form of a candlelight vigil and will take place at 10pm.
The service will be led by the Dean of Llandaff, The Very Reverend Gerwyn Capon and the Reverend Canon Aled Edwards; the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan will be the preacher.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said:
“This candlelit vigil on August 4th will mark the start of a period of four years of commemoration of the First World War, a period in our history which led to tremendous sacrifice and bravery on the battlefield and quiet heroism on the Home Front. It is an opportunity to reflect and commemorate a terrible period in our history that changed the world and shaped the Wales that we live in today.”
City of Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Phil Bale said:
“It is important that we continue to remember the bravery of those that fought in the First World War and that the stories of immense sacrifice continue to live on 100 years later. Quiet reflection is the right way to make sure that we recall this pivotal moment in history and remember those that fought for their country.”
The Very Reverend Gerwyn Capon said:
“The National Service in Wales, held at Llandaff Cathedral, will be an opportunity on its solemn anniversary, to remember before God, the ordinary lives of those who were sent to fight from every community in Wales, whose lives were destroyed or changed in those unspeakable arenas of war, fought out in the mud of the Somme and beyond.”
A number of other events will also be held around Wales on August 4th to mark this key date, which also marks the start of a period of four years of commemoration and remembrance.
Commemorative activity in Wales is being developed by the Welsh Government in partnership with key organisations across Wales through the Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 programme. For more information about other key activities, go to www.walesremembers.org.