Countywide World War One commemorations planned for Worcestershire.
Funded through Heritage Lottery Fund, Worcestershire World War One Hundred is one the largest programme of events across England commemorating the First World 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 from now until 2018 and beyond.
On 26th June residents of Worcestershire joined the Worcestershire World War One Hundred team at The Commandery in Worcester to help launch the whole programme bringing their own artefacts including a bugle made in Worcester that had been to the front, field glasses, medals and various papers and letters showing how World War One touched their lives.
Dr Adrian Gregson, Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service said: “We are delighted that so many people joined us at The Commandery sharing their own family stories demonstrating the impact World War One had on the people of Worcestershire both on the home front and front line. We hope people across the County take the opportunity to visit as many of the events planned for the next four years as possible, Worcestershire World War One is a real opportunity to understand and appreciate the impact the First World War had on our own communities.”
Worcestershire County Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet portfolio for Culture and Community said: “The significant support by Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled Worcestershire to really embrace the World War One commemorations and make our events and activities really meaningful for our County exploring what the Great War meant for the people of Worcestershire as well as the legacy it left behind. I am delighted that so many of our heritage and cultural venues are working in partnership to make the programme happen and hope that people from Worcestershire and beyond enjoy the range of commemorative events over the next four years.”
Highlights for 2014 include:
• June–September: Vesta Tilley Exhibition at The Commandery Worcester
• 15th July–31st August: “Woodbine Willie” Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy Exhibition at Worcester Cathedral
• 28th July–December: Back to Blighty Exhibition at Avoncroft Museum
• 16 August: Military parade and family day marking the 150th anniversary of 214 (Worcestershire) Battery RA (V) Worcester City Centre
• 25th October–early 2015: World War One in the Words of Worcestershire People, Worcester Museum and Art Gallery
• 31st October–April 2015: Gheluvelt Exhibition, Worcestershire Soldier galleries at Worcester Museum and Art Gallery.
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
Pics – M.Glyde/Worcestershire County Council 2014.