Remembrance – Durham Cathedral

Remembrance in our cathedrals will mark the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory over Japan (VJ)

An evening dress made out of poppies, a new piece of art to commemorate all those who gave their lives from the African diaspora, a Roll of Honour projected onto cathedral walls, new tours that tell the stories of local heroes, and thousands upon thousands of poppies will fall silently from our towers in an act of contemplation and remembrance for all those lives lost.

The Festival of Remembrance, Saturday 8 November – Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is getting ready to commemorate Remembrance Weekend with The Festival of Remembrance on Saturday 8 November and Remembrance Sunday Service on 9 November.

Returning for the 14th year the Festival of Remembrance organised by the Army Benevolent Fund, the national charity of the British Army, remembers those who have given their lives for their country, and active service personnel who put their lives at risk for our liberty today.

The theme of this year’s Festival of Remembrance is the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory over Japan (VJ.

There will be a performance from soprano Charlotte Potter, and the Tyne Electrical Engineers Association Pipe and Drums will be heard around the cathedral.

The festival culminates with the poignant Muster and Act of Remembrance when thousands of poppies will fall silently inside the cathedral from the central tower. Tickets are available now.

The Remembrance Sunday service will see wreaths laid under the Cathedral’s RAF Memorial Window and at the British Armed Forces memorial directly below it.

The service is a mix of spoken word and music sung by the Cathedral Choir, with prayers for peace throughout the world and a sermon from the Dean, the Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming.

He said,

‘The events around Remembrance Sunday are a very important part of our life as Durham Cathedral. In our world we see the tragic realities of war, and this weekend affords us the precious opportunity both to honour those who have lost their lives in conflict in the past and pray for peace in our world today and for those who seek to build and keep that peace.”