Battle of the Somme Centenary News
- By Terry Whenham
- •
- 19 Nov, 2015
- •
With the Centenary fast approaching visitors should consider planning well ahead if they intend to visit the Somme battlefield in the summer of 2016. Much of the accommodation has already been booked, as have many of the events. The ballot for the service at the Thiepval Memorial has now closed, but visitors can still apply for tickets to the Lochnager Crater service by using the following website:
http://www.lochnagarcrater.org/TicketApplication.html
However, visitors can only attend one of the events on 1st July, and the French authorities will only allow access to people with tickets to the events. It will be impossible to freely move around the battlefield. Clearly, with recent terrible events in Paris, security will need to be very well managed. Buses will ferry visitors from Albert railway station to the events, and a park and ride scheme will also be available on the day. Visitors will have to use the transport provided and will not be allowed to either walk or cycle into the secure area.
I will be attending the Lochnager Crater event at 7.28am on 1st July 2016, exactly 100 years to the minute after 60,000 pounds of explosives were detonated under the German front line trenches. The Crater is now a memorial to all nations who suffered during the Great War.
It has also been announced that various all night vigils will be held across the UK on the evening of 30th June/1st July 2016. Full details on the attached link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34868249
I will update the website with more updates as and when they are published by the French authorities.
http://www.lochnagarcrater.org/TicketApplication.html
However, visitors can only attend one of the events on 1st July, and the French authorities will only allow access to people with tickets to the events. It will be impossible to freely move around the battlefield. Clearly, with recent terrible events in Paris, security will need to be very well managed. Buses will ferry visitors from Albert railway station to the events, and a park and ride scheme will also be available on the day. Visitors will have to use the transport provided and will not be allowed to either walk or cycle into the secure area.
I will be attending the Lochnager Crater event at 7.28am on 1st July 2016, exactly 100 years to the minute after 60,000 pounds of explosives were detonated under the German front line trenches. The Crater is now a memorial to all nations who suffered during the Great War.
It has also been announced that various all night vigils will be held across the UK on the evening of 30th June/1st July 2016. Full details on the attached link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34868249
I will update the website with more updates as and when they are published by the French authorities.
