A Worcestershire initiative set up to mark the anniversary of the First World War is asking for help from country residents.
Funded through Heritage Lottery Fund, Worcestershire World War One Hundred is one the largest programme of events across England commemorating the war. Involving cultural and heritage organisations County-wide, Worcestershire World War One Hundred will commemorate the role Worcestershire played in World War One and tell the stories of Worcestershire people, their involvement with and personal legacy from now until 2018 and beyond.
As part of the whole programme, on Thursday 26th June Worcestershire residents are invited to come along to Worcestershire’s WW1 Bell Tent at The Commandery to share, donate or loan, stories, artefacts and memorabilia showing how World War One touched their lives for inclusion in a County wide exhibition, The People’s Collection, which will open during the commemorations and run until 2018 at The Hive.
Visitors to the Bell Tent will also have the opportunity to go back in time meeting a VAD Nurse and handling objects from WW1 for themselves as well as enjoying performances by Vesta Tilley impersonator Claire Worboys.
Dr Adrian Gregson, Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, said: “We are really looking forward to unearthing more stories about the impact World War One had on the people of Worcestershire both on the home front and the front line. We hope Worcestershire residents will share photos, diaries, letters and postcards with us at this event that can be loaned or donated for inclusion in the People’s Collection.
A visit to our WW1 Bell Tent will also be a great opportunity for residents to find out more about our Worcestershire World War One Hundred commemoration and what they can expect over the next four years.”
Exhibitions, parades, concerts, church services, remembrance events and much more will take place across Worcestershire from now through to 2018 and beyond. For the full programme, and details on up-coming events, visit: www.ww1worcestershire.co.uk or follow @WW1Worcs
County residents unable to come along on 26th June should visit the website for details on how they can donate or loan their World War One artefacts and memorabilia.