Guildford Cathedral Lights Up To Remember Loved Ones

Guildford Cathedral will be lit up again this December, as local charity Phyllis Tuckwell projects a giant Christmas tree and the names of many loved ones whose lives are being remembered, as part of its Light up a Life event.

Last year, Covid restrictions prevented Phyllis Tuckwell from holding its annual Light up a Life service at its Hospice in Farnham, so instead it held the service outside Guildford Cathedral, and livestreamed it so that people could watch it at home. This year it is delighted to announce that it will be able to hold this important and poignant service back in the Hospice grounds again, around its Christmas tree there. However, it will also project the names of those being remembered onto the cathedral in Guildford, as it did last year.

The Light up a Life service will take place at 6.30pm on Sunday 5th December, at Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham. Anyone who would like to remember a loved one – whether they were cared for by Phyllis Tuckwell or not – is invited to attend. Readings, carols and prayers will help them to remember special times they had with their loved ones and reflect on fond memories. During the service, the lights on the Hospice’s Christmas tree will be switched on, to represent the lives of those special people to whose memory the service is dedicated.

Anyone who would like to can also make a dedication in memory of their loved one and have their names added to the evening’s Order of Service booklet. Their loved one’s name will also be projected onto Guildford Cathedral, alongside an image of a giant Christmas tree, on the evening of Tuesday 7th December, for people to view. Dedications must be received by Friday 19th November in order for the names to be included in the Order of Service, which is given out to all who attend, and on the cathedral projection. The Order of Service will also be published on Phyllis Tuckwell’s website and be available to download from Sunday 5th December.

“We are really pleased to be able to invite people back to the Hospice this year for our Light up a Life service,” said Ruth Masters, Community, Corporate and Events Fundraising Manager at Phyllis Tuckwell. “We would also like to say a big thank you to Guildford Cathedral for allowing us to project the names of the loved ones being remembered onto the outside of the cathedral again this year.”

As well as inviting people to the service at the Hospice, Phyllis Tuckwell will also be live streaming it via their website so that those who are unable to attend can watch it online, and recording it so that anyone who wishes to can watch it again at a later date.

You can make a dedication by visiting www.pth.org.uk/lual or calling 01252 729446. By making a dedication to Light up a Life, you will not only remember your loved one, but will also help Phyllis Tuckwell to continue caring for individuals and families who need its support.

If you would like to attend the service, Phyllis Tuckwell advises that you bring a torch and wrap up warm, as it is held outside. Parking will be available at local schools and on surrounding roads, but is limited, so please car-share where possible.

Every day – including Christmas Day – Phyllis Tuckwell supports and cares for over 250 local people, but because the NHS/Government usually only covers 20% of its costs, it has to raise over £25,000 a day to do this. The charity’s annual Light up a Life service is provided completely free of charge, but any donation you wish to make would be gratefully received.