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Welsh Secretary marks launch of First World War Centenary Commemorations

10 Jun 2013 02:58 PM

One hundred years on, the legacy of the First World War will be shared and commemorated across the generations.

Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones MP, is urging communities and people of all ages to come together to mark and remember the lives of those who lived, fought and died in the First World War.

A service for Commonwealth leaders at Glasgow Cathedral and a candle-lit vigil at Westminster Abbey on 4 August 2014 will signal the start of a UK-wide programme to mark the centenary of the First World War.

A series of cultural events designed to honour the service and sacrifice of those who fought, but will also tell the stories of the great majority of people who remained at home, will be held over a four-year programme.

Marking yesterday’s announcement, Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones, said:

The First World War centenary commemorations will help connect current and future generations with the the stories of every man or woman whose lives were touched by this significant event.

Whether you reflect on the nature of war, remember family members who served, or visit a memorial, it’s an opportunity to better understand our past - and how it still shapes us today.

Across the four years of the centenary, the UK Government will lead the nation in acts of commemoration. In addition to 4 August, five key dates will be marked: the centenaries of the Gallipoli landings, the Battle of Jutland, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the first day of Passchendaele and, finally, Armistice Day.

The Government is also launching a new website dedicated to the centenary, and making a special logo available to everyone organising their own events across the period, to help them badge what they are doing.

link text will feature all the latest news about the Government’s plans for marking the centenary, and act as a gateway to what others are doing.

NOTES TO EDITORS

•Today’s announcement follows a speech in October 2012 by the Prime Minister David Cameron where he set out the UK’s approach to marking the centenary link text

•The Heritage Lottery Fund is making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019. It will provide grants between £3,000 to £10,000 enabling groups’ right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

Successful projects will include:

•researching, identifying and recording local heritage; •creating a community archive or collection; •developing new interpretation of heritage through exhibitions, trails, smartphone apps etc; •researching, writing and performing creative material based on heritage sources; and •the new programme can also provide funding for the conservation of war memorials.

HLF has already invested £12million in projects – large and small – that will mark the Centenary of First World War. If a group has a project idea to mark the Centenary of the First World War, an online application pack is available linktext If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War project, it can apply to HLF through its open programmes.