Cathedral shines red, white and blue for armed forces day

29th June 2020 | Lieutenancy News

Guildford Cathedral Lit up in red, white and blue

Cathedral shines red, white and blue for armed forces day

Guildford Cathedral was illuminated red, white and blue last Saturday evening in honour of the men and women of our Armed Forces. Armed Forces Day is a chance for all of us to to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. Her Majesty sent a message to thank British military personnel on Armed Forces day.

The lighting was provided by Peachy Productions Ltd, the Surrey based events company that lit the Cathedral every Thursday night during lockdown to thank the NHS workers. Shahid Azeem, Chairman of the Woking Asian Business Forum and Aldershot Town FC said, “we are very proud and honoured to sponsor the illumination of Guildford Cathedral on Armed Forces Day. In particular we honour the contribution the Indian subcontinent made during the two World Wars. At Aldershot Town we are very proud of our history with the British Army, being the first football club to sign the Armed Military Covenant and the first football club to receive the MOD Silver Employer Recognition Scheme.”

The Dean of Guildford, the Very Reverend Dianna Gwilliams, said:

“It was an enormous privilege for the Cathedral to be lit blue every Thursday for almost three months, to thank those in the health profession and other key workers who have given so much on our behalf in hospitals and amongst the community during this worrying time. Now we have an opportunity to thank our Armed Forces in a similar way, and pay tribute to the men and women, as well as their families, who sacrifice so much to ensure that our country is safe and secure at all times. I am so very grateful to Peachy Productions for having provided the lighting all these weeks, and for the generosity of Aldershot Town Football Club and the Woking Asian Business Forum for making the illumination possible this Saturday.”

The Managing Director of Peachy Productions, Philip French, said:

“The lighting of the Cathedral on Saturday in honour of the Armed Forces is a fitting culmination of many weeks of work to show support to those who work for the benefit of the community.”

Sadly, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hundreds of events taking place cross the county to celebrate Armed Forces Week have been cancelled but on 22nd June the Armed Forces Flag was raised at Guildford Cathedral by the Lord- Lieutenant of Surrey, Mr Michael More- Molyneux. Click here to see a video of the ceremony