A National Commemorative Service will take place at Manchester Cathedral on 1 July 2016 to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale announced today.
The service will be followed by a people’s procession through Manchester to Heaton Park. The event will close with live performances of music, spoken word and dance, featuring the Hallé Orchestra.
There will also be a national vigil at Westminster Abbey on 30 June and there will also be vigils in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so as many people as possible can come together and remember those lost at the Somme.
Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale said:
“We must never forget the scale of what happened at the Somme. More died on the first day of battle than any other day of the First World War. Almost every family in the country was touched by the devastating losses.
I hope people of all generations up and down the country will have the chance to attend an event and honour the bravery of those who sacrificed so much.”
The Battle of the Somme saw over one million wounded, killed or missing on the battlefields and affected the lives of millions at home.
