LIGHTS are to be turned off at landmark buildings across South Lakeland to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

The Lights Out campaign will see people and organisations across the UK switching off lights from 10pm to 11pm on Monday - leaving on just a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection to mark the anniversary day.

In South Lakeland, lights will go out at key council-owned buildings and landmarks such as Kendal Castle, Kendal Town Hall and Ulverston’s Coronation Hall.

As part of the same commemorations, the Kendal Branch of the Royal British Legion is holding a period of reflection at Kendal’s Market Place Cenotaph at 10pm on August 4.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Representatives from South Lakeland District Council will be present at the war memorial, when there will be a reading of John McCrae's poem ‘In Flanders Fields' and the giving of the Exhortation, followed by the sounding of 'Sunset' by buglers of Kendal Sea Cadets.

Coun Chris Hogg, South Lakeland District Council’s portfolio holder for arts, culture and events, said: “It is fitting that the council should be marking this historic occasion by supporting the Lights Out campaign, and we would encourage others to do likewise.”

A host of other commemorations will be held in churches and other public buildings around Cumbria and exhibitions have been launched in the district to tell the story of Westmorland’s involvement in the Great War.

Kendal Remembers, which depicts the town’s part in the Great War, was officially opened at Kendal Town Hall by mayor Tom Clare and Cumbria High Sherrif Martyn Hart.

“We had abour 70 visitors in the first afternoon, including a woman from Amsterdam,” said organiser Paul Bramham. “I’ve also been contacted by a guy from Canada who is coming to visit because his great uncle, Walter Dixon, is featured in the exhibition.”

Meanwhile, the Fells to Flanders’ exhibition at the Museum of Lakeland Life in Kendal tells how the Lakes contributed to the conflict through innovation, including early flight training for pilots on Windermere.

And the Lakeland Motor Museum at Backbarrow is hosting a special display commemorating the centenary, including a film showing wartime transport form horses and wagons to motorbikes and ambulances.