Who is turning the lights out?

Turning the lights out this weekend will be millions of people and thousands of public buildings across the world.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Mar 2016, 08:00 BST
Updated 22nd Mar 2016, 11:50 BST
Scottish Canals receiving award from WWF Earth Hour, at The Kelpies , left to right, Councillor Craig Martin Olivia Lassiere, Heritage & Environment Manager, Scottish Canals , Panda from WWF and Ben Mardall, team leader at The HelixScottish Canals receiving award from WWF Earth Hour, at The Kelpies , left to right, Councillor Craig Martin Olivia Lassiere, Heritage & Environment Manager, Scottish Canals , Panda from WWF and Ben Mardall, team leader at The Helix
Scottish Canals receiving award from WWF Earth Hour, at The Kelpies , left to right, Councillor Craig Martin Olivia Lassiere, Heritage & Environment Manager, Scottish Canals , Panda from WWF and Ben Mardall, team leader at The Helix

All will be marking WWF’s Earth Hour which is a celebration of the planet, as well as focussing on safeguarding the environment.

Celebrations started early at The Kelpies when WWF Scotland presented Scottish Canals, in partnership with Falkirk Council and Falkirk Community Trust, with the Earth Hour Public Body Runner-Up Award for 2015.

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It recognised the commitment to highlighting the issues facing the planet by turning off the lights illuminating the iconic landmarks, The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies.

Emilie Devenport of WWF Scotland, disguised as the WWF Panda, presented the award to Dr Olivia Lassiere, Scottish Canals’s heritage and environment manager, Councillor Craig Martin and Ben Mardall, Helix team leader.

Lang Banks, WWF Scotland director, said: “This award clearly demonstrates the massive commitment of the organisations to tackling climate change and protecting our brilliant planet. We look forward to working with our award winners again for Earth Hour 2016.”

This Saturday from 8.30-9.30pm, the lights will again be turned off at both landmarks, but at The Kelpies there will also be a new Guinness World record attempt – for the most people performing a yoga pose outside. This will take place at 9pm and people can register on the night to take part.

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Entertainment will be provided by Glenbervie Band and Sambalistic.

The Public Body Award for 2015 went to Historic Environment Scotland and it will again be turning out the lights at 13 of its sites, including Linlithgow Palace and Stirling Castle.

Meanwhile, another Earth Hour event takes place on Saturday at Trinity Church in Falkirk.

The congregation will show its support by holding an evening of poetry, readings and music from 7.30pm with the lights switched off from 8.30-9.30pm and the Sanctuary transformed by candlelight.

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There will be performances from Alan Bissett, Helen MacKinven, John Kennedy, Wee Tree Youth Theatre, Cairngorms Young Team, Jamie Flynn, The Smart Set and Calum Campbell, as well as images from John Albiston. Entry will be by donation to WWF Earth Hour.