ON Wednesday, May 10, members of the Farnham community marked the anniversary of the world’s first two-minute silence with the unveiling of a new plaque in Castle Street.

The world’s first ‘silence’ took place in Farnham in 1916 and was commemorated in Farnham last year with Time to Remember, an event for the whole town.

To continue the legacy of this historic moment in Farnham’s history, unknown to many until the Museum of Farnham unearthed evidence of the original event, Farnham Maltings arranged for a new plaque to be unveiled in Castle Street and for a two-minute silence to be held.

In May 2016, Farnham Maltings held an event for the town to mark the centenary of this occasion.

This included: a performance of an original piece of music, featuring The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR Band) and Farnham Sea Cadets; reflections on the historical significance of this event for the people of Farnham; a parade through the town and a May Day fair on Gostrey Meadow.

The new plaque is located next to the entrance to Lloyd’s Bank, Castle Street, positioned alongside a Millennium plaque which refers to other moments in the history of central Farnham.

The plaque reads as below. The wording in the second paragraph is taken from the programme of the original event, found at the National Archives.

“In this place, on the 10 May 1916, what is thought to be the world’s first two-minute silence was observed prior to an agricultural fair and May Day fair organised to raise funds for the British Red Cross.

“At 11am all those gathered paused for two minutes as a token of respect to the memory of those who had fallen during the war, to the wounded, to the prisoners and to those who were fighting for their country.”

This plaque has been arranged by Farnham Maltings, with Farnham Town Council. The Time to Remember event was funded and supported by Surrey Armed Forces Community Covenant, Heritage Lottery Fund, Farnham Town Council and Tindle Newspapers.

Other key supporters include 3PWRR and Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board.