Coventry will be hosting a moving civic service and vigil in Coventry Cathedral and Ruins on Friday, 14 November to mark the 85^th anniversary of Coventry Blitz.

The theme of the civic event is “Remembering well to move forward”.

As well as offering a moment of reflection, it is also an opportunity for everyone to continue to think about how we can work towards peace and reconciliation moving forward.

The service, which starts at 5.30pm, will be led by the Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry.

It will include contributions from Coventry schools, faith leaders, and choral pieces and also guests from Germany will be joining via video link for the National Gathering of the Community of the Cross of Nails in Münster, Germany.

Following the service, civic guests and service attendees will move into the iconic Cathedral Ruins as two sirens sound at 6.55pm to mark the exact time of the air raid in 1940. This will be followed by a two-minute silence and an opportunity for people to pay their own respects or take a moment to remember those who suffered so much on that fateful night.

A specially commissioned Choral Piece ‘Litany of Reconciliation’ by Ben Ponniah and a peal of the cathedral bells ringing out across the city will close the event.

Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member, Coventry City Council said:

“The 85^th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz is a major date in the city’s history and event calendar, and we are proud to be jointly hosting a civic event with the cathedral, timed specifically to coincide with the 14 November.

“Sadly, although the number of people who lived through and remember the terrible events have reduced with each passing year, it’s only right as a city we continue to remember all those who lost their lives and suffered the trauma of 14 November and in the aftermath.

“We are welcoming people to join with us in being part of a moving and poignant service to mark the anniversary and vigil, alongside civic guests, and faith leaders in our community.

“This period in our history also showed how, as a city, an amazing sense of community spirit and resilience came to the fore and this still remains today, along with a strong sense of civic pride. Coventry will always remember and continue to work for a better future.”

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

 “14^th November 1940 was a night of devastation for our city and our cathedral. It was also the beginning of something remarkable, as the people of Coventry committed not only to rebuilding their city but also to rebuilding their relationships with those who were their enemies. Our city and our cathedral became known globally in the years that followed for our work in reconciliation. On this 85^th 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.”

The public are also welcome to attend both the civic service in the Cathedral and the Vigil which follows in the Cathedral Ruins. The civic service and the Vigil are both free, ticketed events.

For those wishing to attend, people can get their free ticket at www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/events/coventry-blitz-85th-anniversary-service

A limited number of tickets will also be available in the cathedral’s Gift Shop for those without access to a computer or who prefer to pick up a ticket in person.

The civic service and vigil is the first element of a wider city event programme to mark the Coventry Blitz 85 anniversary. A number of events will take place in the lead-up and during the anniversary weekend.