Issue 779 09 November - 15 November 2012 - FREE
Lest we forget EXPATS in Tenerife will join millions of people in the UK and across the world in staging a two-minute silence this weekend, on Remembrance Sunday. The tradition began in 1919 following the Armistice at 11am on 11th November, 1918, at the end of the First World War. And this year, it falls perfectly - on Sunday - and it will attract even more support than usual because the Royal British Legion has launched a major campaign to extend the silence to the online community. Thousands of Facebook and Twitter users will be encouraged to observe it using Thunderclap, a new social media site, The British Legion is the first charity in the UK to employ Thunderclap, a US invention which allows users to issue a message simultaneously across social media channels. The Royal British Legion is asking people to go to its website at www.britishlegion. org.uk and click on the link to the Two Minute Silence Thunderclap page. Supporters can authorise their Twitter and Facebook accounts to send the tweet or message that reads “I’ll be remembering the fallen at 11 o’clock #2MinuteSilence #LestWeForget” at 9am on Sunday. When they sign up, their Twitter or Facebook feed will automatically display the message “I won’t forget to Remember on 11.11.11 Will you? #2MinuteSilence”. Remembrance messages can be shared by “liking” on Facebook. It is hoped that through retweets and online “liking” and sharing of the message, it will reach many more of the UK’s 10 million Twitter and 33 million Facebook users. Helen Hill, head of Remembrance at the charity,
said: “We hope to create the largest-ever show of online Remembrance by using the communicative power of social media. “We want to remind millions of Britons that they have a very personal opportunity to honour the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice.” Thunderclap is the first “crowdspeaking” platform that allows a charity or cause to produce a single message, which can be mass-shared simultaneously. It is the brainchild of New York studio De-De, and was developed with the aim of getting important messages to stand out above the babble of social media. Chief executive Hashem Bajwa said: “Twitter is a wonderful way to say something, but it’s difficult to be heard. Thunderclap lets people be heard by saying
something together.” More than 75% of the UK population are expected to observe Sunday’s silence with many also attending church services. Here in South Tenerife, hundreds will pay their respects at special Remembrance Day services throughout the area, including the “big” one at Westhaven Bay, which starts at 10.30am. This special British Legion event is always well attended and, because it is outdoors, everyone is advised to bring a sun hat and a bottle of water. The Island’s Royal British Legion has been distributing
boxes of poppies and collection tins throughout the South over the past few weeks. Last year’s collections totalled 11,694.97 euros and the hope is that it can at least be matched, despite these austere times which have affected so many people. Poppy Appeal organiser Kelly said: “We are aware of the current financial situation. “But we hope the response from the people on Tenerife will enable the Royal British Legion to continue its work in helping those exservice personnel and their dependents in need.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below
“Boxes have been distributed here for at least 14 years, and have always generated a very good response by the people. “And although there are only a couple of days to go before Sunday, there is still time to get your poppies.” For 90 years, the Royal British Legion has supported members of the Armed Forces Services, past and present, and spends nearly £1.4 million weekly on help for the less fortunate among them. A British Legion spokesman said: “This year, as always, British troops have been posted to some of the world’s most dangerous trouble spots, and they may need our help in the future.” The Royal British Legion, the most worthy of organisations, was formed on Sunday, 15th May 1921, from an amalgamation of four other
associations, with the express intention of helping exservice personnel and their dependents in need. Kelly added: “Wars throughout the ages have seen so many hurt and injured, and this is where we come in. “Any amount gets you a poppy, but please be as generous as possible, and wear your poppy with pride.” Remembrance Day Services Royal British Legion: Westhaven Bay, Costa del Silencio - 10.30am Anglican Chaplaincy: San Eugenio, Pueblo Canario, Las Americas - 10.15am Swedish Church, Los Cristianos - 10.30am Espiritu Santo, Los Gigantes - 6pm San Blas, Golf del Sur - 6pm South Tenerife Christian Fellowship: Apolo Centre, Los Cristianos - 10.50am. Coral Mar Square, Costa del Silencio - 10.50am