Vigil in Cathedral ruins to mark 85 years since Coventry Blitz

A vigil to mark 85 years since the Coventry Blitz is to be held on Friday 14 November in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral.

Eight and a half decades have passed since the German Luftwaffe released 30,000 incendiary bombs, including 1,600 high explosives bombs, in just twelve hours.

Although other cities, including Manchester, London, and Liverpool were targeted by air-raids in the Second World War, Coventry perhaps came out the worst.

568 people were killed, while many more suffered injuries, both physical and mental. The attack on Coventry became a symbol of devastation, but also a beacon of hope as Britain fought to continue the war effort.

Attendees will […] move into the ruins of the old cathedral, with two air raid sirens sounding at 6:55pm to mark the exact time of the 1940 air raid

The free event, already sold out, will be preceded by a civic service in the modern cathedral at 5:30pm, led by the Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry.

This will be attended via video link by the National Gathering of the Community of the Cross of Nails in Münster, Germany, broadcasting the reconciliation efforts of devastated UK and German cities.

Contributions from local schools, faith leaders, and choral pieces will offer a point of reflection to continue thinking about peace and reconciliation.

The service will feature the performance of a specially-commissioned Choral Piece Litany of Reconciliation, by Ben Ponniah, while Coventry Cathedral’s bells will ring out across the city to mark the close of the event.

Attendees will then move into the ruins of the old cathedral, with two air raid sirens sounding at 6:55pm to mark the exact time of the 1940 air raid. A two-minute silence will then follow.

As we remember, we allow our city’s story to inspire us to continue the work of reconciliation in a world that needs healing and hope

Reverend Kate Massey, Canon for Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral

The vigil coincides with a community-led temporary reconstruction of Coventry Cathedral, which has brought local people together in a heartwarming show of community spirit.

While many survivors and witnesses of the Coventry Blitz have now passed on, events like the upcoming vigil reinforce the importance of continuing to commemorate victims of war.

Reverend Kate Massey, Canon for Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, said of the commemoration: “On this 85th anniversary, we pass on the baton from the generation who made that first decision for peace to a new generation of Coventrians.

“As we remember, we allow our city’s story to inspire us to continue the work of reconciliation in a world that needs healing and hope.”