First World War vigil announced by National Memorial Arboretum

The National Memorial Arboretum is planning a vigil by candlelight at the Armed Forces Memorial. This is set to take place August 4th, and will mark the people who served during the First World War.

It is being held exactly a century on from Britain becoming part of the global conflict.

"The Armed Forces Memorial lit by candles at dusk will be a particularly poignant sight," commented Sarah Montgomery, National Memorial Arboretum managing director.

She said all were welcome at the event, to light candles and bring to mind the sacrifices and loss that happened in World War One.

There will be a service with music, readings and prayer at the occasion, which is one aspect of a wider range of First World War commemorative activities from The Arboretum.

It has family First World War weekends coming up, including things like craft activities and trails, with the most imminent taking place July 25th to 27th.

These are designed to give families a chance to learn about the war and take part in its commemoration, in a thought-provoking but enjoyable way.

And a July 22nd screening of War Horse, the recent Stephen Spielberg film based on Michael Morpurgo's children's novel, is also planned for the great outdoors. The film came out in 2011, and includes well known actors such as David Thewlis.

Meanwhile, among other activities, Ron Thompson and Julie Edwards are set to be Arboretum Artists in Residence between July 28th and August 4th, when they will put together a large-scale First World War themed piece, created with the help of the public.

The Arboretum belongs to a family of charities which are part of The Royal British Legion.

The Legion supports people who are serving in the Armed Forces or have done in the past, as well as these people's families, helping with a variety of things.