Somme Centenary Vigil at Clitheroe Castle

1st July 2016

Clitheroe’s vigil was launched at 7-30am by Ribble Valley Mayor Joyce Holgate.

A whistle blew marking the start, just as it did 100 years ago when soldiers went “over the top.”

But instead of going into battle participantsstood on a plinth next to the Unknown Soldier for two minutes as a personal mark of respect. The Unknown Soldier occupies a prominent position overlooking the town, his head bowed in the direction of the Western Front.

Coun. Holgate said: “The Battle of the Somme had a profound impact on Lancashire people and the loss of life was devastating, with 1,000 young men losing their lives from Ribble Valley alone.”

At 7-30 in the evening, the end of the vigil was marked with a reading of Lancaster-born Laurence Binyon’s poem “For the Fallen” and the sounding of the Last Post.

TIME LAPSE FILM

The twelve hour vigil has been condensed into a 12 minute film, using the sounds recorded on the day.

Special thanks to Councillor Joyce Holgate MBE, Mayor of Ribble Valley who started and closed the vigil, John Meredith who read " For the Fallen", Alison Cowking of

Slaidburn Silver Band who played the last post and all those at the Castle and Museum service who made the event run smoothly, and lastly Susan Ashworth of LCC whose enthusiam and perseverance made the vigil a reality.