9th November 2018

Poignant Silhouettes in county churches for WW1 Anniversary

Several churches across the Diocese of Blackburn (The Church of England in Lancashire) are participating in the national ‘There But Not There’ initiative.

‘There But Not There’ involves installing specially designed silhouettes in their buildings to represent soldiers who lost their lives in World War One.

Buildings where you can see silhouettes include Blackburn Cathedral (every day up to Remembrance Sunday) and, from November 6 to November 11, at St Cuthbert’s Church in Lytham, which will be open from 10am to 4pm on each of those days. 

St Cuthbert’s is also taking the figures on tour throughout the week, when they will be making appearances at local school assemblies and 40 cafes, restaurants and pubs across Lytham. 

Also hosting ‘There But Not There’ figures over the Remembrance week are St Leonard’s Church in Downham; the Accrington Pals Chapel at St John the Evangelist Church in Accrington; St Michael and All Angels, Ashton-on-Ribble with St Mark, Preston and also Ribchester St Wilfrid, Hurst Green and Mitton

The Dean of Blackburn Cathedral, The Very Rev Peter Howell Jones, said today: “Blackburn Cathedral is pleased to be able to host ‘There But Not There’ figures throughout our building.

“As we approach Remembrance Sunday, which this year coincides with the end of WW1, we will all be reflecting on the horrors of war and these figures quite literally make people stop and think when they see them.

“They are an original and moving way of marking the loss suffered by communities across Lancashire during the First World War and other wars and conflicts throughout our history.”

You can find out more about the ‘There But Not There’ project and view locations across Lancashire (churches and other public buildings) where the figures are situated by visiting www.therebutnotthere.org.uk/taking-part/