Norwich Castle Turns Red for Weekend

10 November 2012, 00:00

Norwich Castle is being lit up 'poppy red' this weekend for Remembrance Sunday.

Special filters on the Castle’s floodlights will turn the walls red as a mark of respect to British service men and women, past and present.

The idea to use Norwich Castle to commemorate Remembrance Day in this way was proposed by The Royal British Legion which approached Norfolk County Council to see if it might be possible. Bill Kerr is Chairman of The Royal British Legion, Norfolk County and said: “We are extremely pleased and honoured that Norfolk County Council is supporting us with this high profile project. Norfolk raised over £638,000 last year toward the Legion’s national total of £40 million and we hope that turning the Castle red for Remembrance Day assist will help us to bring home to all the great needs of armed forces and veterans.

“The Royal British Legion spends about £1.7 million every week assisting veterans and annually about £90 million so you can see how important the Poppy Appeal is as it raises nearly half of our requirement. The target for this year is £42 million and we hope that the people of Norfolk will respond and again beat the 2011 record collection!”

Rachel Kirk, Norwich Castle Manager, is pleased the Castle is able to play its part in marking Remembrance Day: “Norwich Castle is an iconic building for the city and the county – lighting it in this way will be a powerful statement of the community’s support for our armed forces. It’s particularly appropriate as, from autumn 2013, the Castle will be the new permanent home of the Royal Norfolk Regimental collections with a major new display telling the story of the Regiment’s history to the many thousands who visit the Castle each year.”