A Sea of Candles to Honour Those We’ve Lost
Five thousand candles flickering together along the Felixstowe seafront is a poignant sight. This year I had the privilege of photographing Suffolk Remembers, the annual remembrance event held by St Elizabeth Hospice. Hundreds of local people gathered near the Spa Pavilion in a shared moment of reflection for those they have lost.
The Suffolk community and hospice staff were joined by the Mayor of Felixstowe. The mood was warm and calm, full of empathy and quiet togetherness. Ipswich singer Roma Manteiga-Nicholson performed, along with the Ipswich Hospital Community Choir and Martlesham Brass, with poetry readings between the music.
I set out to capture the feel of the evening: close-ups of the dedicated candles, each carrying the name of a loved one, and the quiet of the dedication tent. I photographed the last post played by Martlesham Brass, the hospice staff and volunteers going about their work with care, and the Suffolk Remembers logo lit by candlelight. There were images of Roma Manteiga-Nicholson and the Ipswich Hospital Community Choir on stage, the crowd listening to the readings, and attendees leaving their candles. I also photographed the Mayor of Felixstowe addressing the gathering, with representatives from East of England Co-op Funeral Services and St Elizabeth Hospice standing together.
These images will go to the regional press and feature on the hospice’s website, social channels, newsletters and other materials, so the spirit of Suffolk Remembers carries on. I was honoured to be part of such a moving evening.
Commercial photography
Need photography for your business?
Photography for businesses across Suffolk, planned around how you will use it: premises, teams, products, events and PR. See what is involved and get a quote.