Blackpool to take part in “Lights Out”

Blackpool is to take part in “Lights Out” – a special nationwide event which will see places and people turn off their lights to share a moment of reflection.

The concept marks the hour that Britain entered World War I one hundred years ago and is expected to see parts of the UK plunge into darkness between 10pm and 11pm on August 4.

Blackpool Council is intent on marking the moment and, as the home of the switch-on – with the annual illuminations festival sparking into life with a celebrity switch-on each year – will depart from tradition by carrying out a special “switch-off”.

The Blackpool Tower will play a starring role with the council’s illuminations team set to create a stunning visual effect.

And Blackpool Pleasure Beach will also be performing a spectacular switch-off, turning off  The Big One which always look incredible when lit up at night.

Local cadets have also decided to carry out a vigil at the Cenotaph to mark the occasion.

Cllr Chris Ryan, Blackpool Council’s armed forces champion, said: “Lights Out is a nationwide hour of reflection which is a suitable and fitting way to commemorate the start of World War I.

“As the country’s lights capital of the UK and as the home of the switch-on, it’s going to be extremely interesting to what we can do and how spectacular we can make a switch off!”

And Iain Hawkins, Head of the Blackpool Cluster for Merlin Entertainments, said: “We are proud that The Blackpool Tower can play such a key role in this very poignant and important event.

“This year also marks the Blackpool Tower’s 120^th birthday so it seems particularly fitting that such an iconic landmark that was present during World War I should pay tribute in this way.”

Everyone in the UK is invited to take part in Lights Out by turning off their lights from 10pm to 11pm on 4 August, leaving on a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection.

People can take part in whatever way they chose, marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War either individually or by attending one of the many events being organised around the country for a collective experience.

Lights Out is the headline project of 14-18 NOW, the official cultural programme for the First World War Centenary Commemorations.

The inspiration for Lights Out comes from a famous remark made on the eve of the outbreak of war by the then Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime”.

Britain declared war on Germany at 11pm on 4 August 1914 ushering in one of the darkest periods in our history.

For more detail about Lights Out across the country, visit www.1418NOW.org.uk/lightsout