As you will be aware, Sunday 11 November 2018 marks the centenary of the end of World War 1, and a number of special commemorations are being organised across the country to mark this historic occasion.
At full Council on Thursday 29 June, Councillors unanimously agreed the following motion, which sets out how this historic moment will be marked in South Ayrshire:
On Sunday 11th November 2018, the people of the United Kingdom and numerous countries across the world will mark the moment the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War.
To play our part in remembering the sacrifice of millions of men and women, this Council agrees to commemorate this historic moment in the following ways:
- We will work with people and communities across South Ayrshire to create a knitted banner of 2018 poppies that will become a long-lasting tribute to those lost in battle and that can be used at future Remembrance events.
- We will support Poppy Scotland’s ‘The 1918 Poppy Pledge’, with the aim of raising £1,918 [as specified by the Pledge] during 2018 to support the armed forces community living in Scotland.
- We will fly the Union Flag and Saltire from County Buildings for an extended period from Friday 2 November until Monday 12 November.
- We will participate in the annual Remembrance Service at Ayr Auld Kirk and wreath-laying ceremonies across South Ayrshire.
- We will promote the nationwide Day of Commemorative Events, based on communities coming together with pipers, buglers and beacons of light, which is being co-ordinated by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek LVE OBE OPR under the banner of ‘Battle’s Over: A Nation’s Tribute 11th November 2018’.
- We will promote local events organised to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.
We would like to encourage your group to get involved in these commemorations and to ensure South Ayrshire’s people and places have an opportunity to pay tribute to those who helped shape the world we live in today.
Some further information on how to do this is set out below.
Knitted poppy banner
We’re looking for your help to create a knitted banner of 2018 poppies that will be displayed to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.
You can donate as many knitted or crochet poppies as you like and these will be added to our camouflage netting banner donated by the Royal Highland Fusiliers.
You can add your poppies directly to the banner on display at Ayr Town Hall, or leave your poppies in our special collection buckets at our customer service centres in Ayr, Maybole, Prestwick, Girvan and Troon.
Poppy patterns can be seen here for your information and use. They are also available online at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/poppies or from our customer service centres or local libraries.
All poppies should be provided by Friday 28 September 2018.
Battle’s Over: A Nation’s Tribute
A nationwide Day of Commemorative Events, based on communities coming together with pipers, buglers and beacons of light, is being co-ordinated by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek LVE OBE OPR under the banner of ‘Battle’s Over: A Nation’s Tribute 11th November 2018’.
Full details of what is planned – and how to register to take part – are available at www.brunopeek.co.uk.
We would appreciate if you can let me know if you intend to take part so we can establish a clear picture of how South Ayrshire is responding.
The centenary of the end of World War 1 is a truly historic moment and I hope you can consider how you, and your local communities, can get involved.
