The centenary of the start of World War 1 takes place on Monday 4th August. Across the country events are being held to remember the 16 million people who died between 1914 and 1918.

Tandridge District Council is supporting several events. It has also signed a Community Covenant to protect the rights of those in the armed forces and to strengthen ties between them and the local community. The Council is involved in the following commemorative events:

Armed Forces Day 28th June: To mark British Armed Forces Day on Saturday 28th June, Tandridge District Council is flying a special flag from Monday 23rd June.

Armed Forces Race Day 28th June: An annual fundraising event held by the Royal British Legion at Lingfield Race Course. The Council is sponsoring the Tandridge Triumph race, one of five races on the day. The money raised from the sponsorship and ticket prices will go to the Royal British Legion’s fund to help veterans.

Poppies on the Street Campaign 1st August to 15tb November: To show support for veterans the public will be able to buy large poppies (18”x18”) from the Council Offices in Oxted to decorate their homes and gardens. All the money raised will go to the Royal British Legion to support veterans and their families.

Lights Out Monday 4th August 10-11pm: The Council will leave a single electric candle in the window of the Council Offices and turn off all other lights, to be part of a national shared time of reflection, drawing on Sir Edward Grey’s famous remark ‘the lights are going out all over Europe’.

There are many national activities such as exhibitions in museums and battlefield visits to France for schools. In Surrey, the Surrey County Show will commemorate the event and there will be several special services in Guildford Cathedral.

The Royal British Legion will be selling packets of Flanders Poppy Seeds and encouraging the public to buy and sow them as widely as possible to remember those who died. This is in partnership with B&Q. In Queens Park, Caterham, the Richmond Fellowship has agreed to plant two flower beds with Flanders poppies. Packets of seeds will be available from local B&Q stores.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Gordon Keymer CBE, said: “We are honoured to part of the commemoration of World War 1. It is so important to remember and pay tribute to all those who gave their lives to fight for us and helped shape the country we live in today.”