Mayor of Havering lights beacon on Remembrance Sunday in honour of fallen heroes

To round of this year’s commemorative events in Havering a beacon lighting ceremony was held on the green in Havering-atte-Bower.

Haverings town crier, Harry Matthews, reads the International Cry for Peace at the end of the beacon lighting ceremony in Havering-atte-Bower. Photo: Havering Council - Credit: Archant

More than 300 people witnessed a bugler sounding the Last Post at 6.55pm prior to the mayor of Havering lighting a beacon that became one of a chain of more than 1,000 beacons of light at locations across the UK and UK overseas territories.

Havering’s town crier, Henry Matthews, joined more than 100 fellow town criers in reading out an international cry for peace around the world at 7.05pm.

Following this, the bells at St John the Evangelist Church rang out for peace as part of a celebration marked at more than 1,000 churches and cathedrals across the country.

“The commemorations, services and parades in Havering were a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives and honoured their sacrifices,” said councillor Robert Benham, the deputy leader of Havering Council.

“It’s very clear that local people are marking Remembrance Sunday in ever greater numbers, a century on from the end of World War One.”

The lighting of the beacon ceremony was part of the Nation’s Tribute event held across the country to pay tribute to the millions killed or wounded in battle, and those on the home front who struggled amidst pain and loss to help ensure freedom survived.