First World War Centenary @ the Tower of London

Post

Subscribe

Tue 05 Aug 2014 - Sun 30 Nov 2014

Between August and November, the Tower of London's moat will be filled with red ceramic poppies to mark the centenary of the First World War.

The evolving installation by artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper, will be unveiled on 5 August; 100 years to the day since the start of Britain's involvement in "The Great War" of 1914-18.

Entitled 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red', the installation is being created in the Tower's dry moat. It will continue to grow throughout the summer until the moat is filled with 888,246 ceramic poppies, one for each member of the British military forces who fell during the war.

The poppies will encircle the Tower, creating a spectacular display on a huge scale, which is designed to reflect the significance of the centenary commemoration. There will be an area set aside for informative and educational activities.

Throughout the installation period, at twilight, the names of 180 serving military killed during the First World War will be read out in a Roll of Honour. This will be followed by the 'Last Post' bugle call. Members of the public are invited to submit a name for inclusion in the Roll of Honour, as part of the ceremony from 5 August. The last poppy will be planted on 11 November.

The ceramic poppies will be available to buy for £25 ( p&p) from 5 August 2014. Ten per cent of the amount per poppy, plus all net proceeds, will be shared equally amongst six service charities.
The chosen charities are Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO), Combat Stress, Coming Home, Help for Heroes, Royal British Legion and SSAFA (formerly the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association).

#sthash .c2wiYsHo.dpuf">The Tower of London Remembers

#places_of_interest
#history
#free
#august
#september
#october
#november
!date 05/08/2014 -- 30/11/2014
%wnlondon