Remembrance parades and church services on November 10 and 11, and a Beacon of Light in Lympstone

Moving ceremonies to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War will take place in Exmouth and the surrounding area during the weekend of remembrance.

Four years ago, Britain marked 100 years since the start of the war by switching off the lights in Parliament, churches, theatres, public buildings and other important sites. It reflected the remark made in 1938 by the then foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey when he knew war was inevitable: “The lamps are going out all over Europe.”

In Exmouth on August 4 2014, candles were lit during a service in The Strand, and then ceremonially blown out to commemorate the first dark day of the conflict.

Four years later, on Saturday November 10, the day before Armistice Day, a ‘lights on’ service will be held at 4pm, again at The Strand. A candle will be lit for every man and woman in Exmouth who lost their lives in the First World War, their names will be read out, and a cross will be laid for each. This will be followed by an act of remembrance.

Sunday, November 11 will be a remembrance of those lost in the First and Second World Wars and all subsequent conflicts. The service at The Strand will start with the Renaissance Choir singing songs from the WW1 period. Exmouth Town Band will also play, and the service will end with a march-past by war veterans.

Lympstone has a wealth of centenary events during the weekend, including an exhibition, storytelling and a film on the Saturday. On Sunday there will be a service in the church and an act of remembrance at the war memorial. In the evening, Lympstone will join the national Beacon of Light ceremony. After sunset, residents will gather at Cliff Field where the names of the 27 men named on the memorial will be read out, and a beacon will be lit at 7pm. Anyone is welcome to join this event.

In Budleigh Salterton there will be a service at the war memorial on Sunday morning, and at 2pm a wreath will be laid there, followed by a parade to the church. A plaque commemorating the centenary has already been placed on the memorial.