An invitation to the world..
Join with the Light of the Glastonbury Unity Candle to mark the Silent Minute
9pm
9pm
The Silent Minute for Peace
The original Big Ben Silent Minute was a peace prayer initiated by Wellesley Tudor Pole, a major in the British Army and the founder of the Chalice Well Trust, right here in Glastonbury.
During World War II, all over Britain and the Commonwealth, millions of people joined together every evening at 9.00pm just before the news, to the chimes of Big Ben, to pray for peace.
In the dark days of war the Silent Minute became a vast network of Light and Hope in the hearts of all people of goodwill. It had the blessing of King George VI, Sir Winston Churchill and his Parliamentary Cabinet, and it was also recognised by the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Silent Minute was observed on land, at sea, on the battlefields, in air raid shelters and in hospitals. With Churchill’s support the BBC, on Sunday, 10th November 1940, began to play the chimes of Big Ben on the radio as a signal for the Silent Minute to begin.
During World War II, all over Britain and the Commonwealth, millions of people joined together every evening at 9.00pm just before the news, to the chimes of Big Ben, to pray for peace.
In the dark days of war the Silent Minute became a vast network of Light and Hope in the hearts of all people of goodwill. It had the blessing of King George VI, Sir Winston Churchill and his Parliamentary Cabinet, and it was also recognised by the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Silent Minute was observed on land, at sea, on the battlefields, in air raid shelters and in hospitals. With Churchill’s support the BBC, on Sunday, 10th November 1940, began to play the chimes of Big Ben on the radio as a signal for the Silent Minute to begin.
The Glastonbury Unity Candle
In 2009, Morgana West and Jamie Evans of Starchild, on behalf of the Pilgrim Reception Centre, explored the idea of creating candles that could be used to represent Glastonbury. In 2010, the first Unity Candle was lit in a simple ceremony involving the Pilgrim Reception volunteers.
The candles are made by Starchild, right here in the heart of Glastonbury. Each candle is charged with a unique infusion made with herbs, trees and flowers including the Glastonbury Thorn, and collected in tune with the cycles of the moon from various sites in and around Glastonbury.
Blue was chosen because there is a deep spiritual significance to it and is seen in many cultures and beliefs representing faith, devotion, peace, inner knowledge, love, tranquility and harmony.
Since then, the Candle has visited hundreds of events and, in its familiar lantern, has been taken to ceremonies and events of all kinds, attending churches, temples and sacred venues, weddings, anniversaries, christenings, funerals, talks, workshops, conferences, civic events, festivals and concerts.
Each host lights it in a way that is appropriate to them, so they are personally and energetically engaged in the process of igniting not only the flame of the Candle, but their own inner flame and reminded that peace and understanding starts within. It also stands on the Glastonbury Town Council table every month, where, all members of the council and public are asked to stand and, following its lighting, observe a Minute’s Silence.
A key harmonising factor in Glastonbury, it has also been used to bring the community together in events and vigils for peace and understanding. Many people have commented on how special the light is that comes from the flame of the lit candle. How bright it seems to shine.
The candles are made by Starchild, right here in the heart of Glastonbury. Each candle is charged with a unique infusion made with herbs, trees and flowers including the Glastonbury Thorn, and collected in tune with the cycles of the moon from various sites in and around Glastonbury.
Blue was chosen because there is a deep spiritual significance to it and is seen in many cultures and beliefs representing faith, devotion, peace, inner knowledge, love, tranquility and harmony.
Since then, the Candle has visited hundreds of events and, in its familiar lantern, has been taken to ceremonies and events of all kinds, attending churches, temples and sacred venues, weddings, anniversaries, christenings, funerals, talks, workshops, conferences, civic events, festivals and concerts.
Each host lights it in a way that is appropriate to them, so they are personally and energetically engaged in the process of igniting not only the flame of the Candle, but their own inner flame and reminded that peace and understanding starts within. It also stands on the Glastonbury Town Council table every month, where, all members of the council and public are asked to stand and, following its lighting, observe a Minute’s Silence.
A key harmonising factor in Glastonbury, it has also been used to bring the community together in events and vigils for peace and understanding. Many people have commented on how special the light is that comes from the flame of the lit candle. How bright it seems to shine.