This November, Durham Cathedral will once again commemorate Remembrance Weekend with The Festival of Remembrance on Saturday 8 November and Remembrance Sunday Service on 9 November.

Remembrance Weekend is a time to pay tribute to those who have given their lives for their Country, and Service Personnel who put their lives at risk for our liberty today.

Returning for the 14th year at Durham Cathedral, The Festival of Remembrance, held in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund, commemorates the sacrifices of many in conflict over the years.

The theme of this year’s Festival of Remembrance is the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory over Japan (VJ), to commemorates those who gave so much in the liberation of Europe and the Far East 80 years ago.

There will be a performance from the talented soprano Charlotte Potter, and the Tyne Electrical Engineers Association Pipe and Drums will be heard around the cathedral.

The festival culminates with the poignant Muster and Act of Remembrance, a spectacular moment when thousands of poppies fall silently inside the cathedral from the central tower.

The Festival of Remembrance is a deeply moving tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. This year’s event honours the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day with powerful music and reflection. We are profoundly grateful to the Cathedral staff for their tireless support and dedication, and to the many local organisations whose contributions make the Festival of Remembrance possible. Their commitment ensures that Remembrance remains at the heart of our community, and that we continue to honour those who gave so much for our freedom.

Tickets for the Festival of Remembrance start from £13.75 and proceeds go towards the the Army Benevolent Fund.

The day after, on Sunday 9 November, Durham Cathedral's Remembrance Sunday Service begins at 10.15am and remembers the lives of those who were killed in the line of duty and those who put their lives at risk today. As part of the service, wreaths will be laid under the Cathedral’s RAF Memorial Window and at the British Armed Forces memorial directly below it.

The moving service is a mix of spoken word and music sung by the Cathedral Choir, with prayers for peace throughout the world and a sermon from the Dean, the Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming. This service is free to attend and all are welcome.

The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham says, "The events around Remembrance Sunday are a very important part of our life as Durham Cathedral. In our world we see the tragic realities of war, and this weekend affords us the precious opportunity both to honour those who have lost their lives in conflict in the past and pray for peace in our world today and for those who seek to build and keep that peace."