A TEACHER from Eastgate is appealing to fellow Weardalians to join Operation Candlelight in local towns and villages.
Nancy Wall teaches at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College and despite the pressures of the job these days, in true Weardalian style, she gives much of her free-time to extra curricular activities. One of these is Operation Candlelight, a volunteer-led initiative where battery night lights are placed on Commonwealth War Graves for Christmas Eve to honour fallen service members and show they are not forgotten.
The lights are placed at the base of the headstones and removed by 1 January. The CWGC supports and maps the graves where lights are being placed. Nancy is also very active in her home village, especially in the parish church and will be helping volunteers among her students to light 200 graves in Darlington.
Nancy is now hoping others in the Dale may follow suit.
She said, “It would be wonderful if anyone would be willing to help with local cemeteries in the Dale and surrounding areas.”
Local cemeteries with Commonwealth graves include: Stanhope, Frosterley, Westgate, Rookhope, Wolsingham, St John’s Chapel, Crook, Hunwick, Forest-in-Teesdale, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Edmundbyers and Muggleswick.
Nancy added, “There are many more war graves around the area, easily found by going to the Commonwealth War Graves website.”
Nancy is hoping to bring this initiative to the Dale.
“It would be lovely to show respect and remember those who served. If anyone would like to get involved and help, please let us know which cemetery you can cover.”
What’s involved:
• Choose a cemetery
• On Christmas Eve or shortly before, place battery lights at the base of the headstones
• Remove the lights by 1 January
