Fairfield Matters reported back in February that Fairfield is to take part in a nationwide beacon-lighting ceremony to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.
Now we bring you more details of the plans for the day, and ask you to get involved.

On Sunday 11 November 2018, Fairfield will join with other communities across the UK and around the world to mark the day 100 years ago when the First World War guns fell silent. Fairfield Parish Council has purchased a Battle’s Over Beacon and a group has been set up representing the various organisations in Fairfield, to plan the event. 

Our beacon will be sited on the newly constructed mound in the Urban Park. By November there should be electricity available for lighting and microphones.

The national programme begins with bagpipes playing ‘Battle’s O’er’ at 6am. The organising group would like this to happen in Fairfield but it is dependant on us finding a bagpiper! If anyone can help with this please contact us.

Fairfield Community Church will then hold their customary Remembrance Day service at 10.30am. This will involve the uniformed services, who will march with their flags from St Luke’s Chapel or a similar location to the service at the Community Hall.

Later, as darkness falls, folks will be invited to gather from 6.15pm in the Urban Park, and the beacon-lighting ceremony will start at 6.30. The programme for the evening event is still being developed, but it will involve poppies, readings, poems, and the reading out of names of those from Fairfield Hospital who lost their lives in the conflict. Children will play a major part.

The organisers are still looking for a bugler to play the ‘Last Post’ at 6.55pm. At 7pm the Beacon will be lit at the same time as hundreds of others across the country. Everyone will then retire to the Community Hall for tea, coffee and cider. Fairfield Hospital artefacts will be on display.

As you can see this event is still work in progress. If you have suggestions, want to help, or know any bagpipers or buglers who might be interested in playing, please send an email to editor@fairfieldmatters.com and we can put you in touch with the organising group.

More details about the national event can be found online at www.brunopeek.co.uk.