Brought to life: 15 soldiers’ stories
APPLEY BRIDGE will mark the 100th anniversary of the ending of the Great War with a special event on Sunday, November 4.
The Remembrance Tea Room, at the Community Centre from 1pm to 4pm, will bring to life the stories of the 15 villagers who gave their lives for their country between 1914 and 1918.
Appley Bridge Community Association has been awarded fifteen of the now familiar soldier silhouettes, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
The award was made under the Armistice and Armed Forces Communities programme.
The silhouettes, representing the 15 villagers named on the Appley Bridge war memorial, will be on show in the community centre.
Community Association spokesperson Anne Fletcher said: “Our aim is twofold. The first is to bring the Appley Bridge community together – local people, young and older, churches, school and the armed forces (serving and veterans) to encourage quiet reflection and Remembrance.
‘‘The second is to raise money for the Royal British Legion, providing lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans and their families.
“It will be an opportunity for the village to get to know the men behind the 15 names on the village memorial.
“These stories will be on display alongside the silhouettes, each of which will be seated at the tables.
“It will bring home to us that these names belonged to living, breathing men, with close links to the village, who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“We will also be encouraging interaction from visitors, who may be able to add information to their stories.”
The event will start with a Three Churches Together poetry reading and prayers.
There will also be a sing-along of songs from the era.
People can sample ANZAC biscuits and Trench Cake, baked using authentic recipes.
The Royal British Legion is supplying official merchandise and collecting boxes.
Anne said: “Local authors have collaborated to write a book that tells the stories of the Appley Bridge men, and the book will be available for purchase on the day.”
Pupils from three local schools will visit the centre during the following two weeks and interacting with the display and exploring original artefacts from World War One.
Cubs and Scouts will also pay visits.
On November 11, there is a parade to the war memorial, a service will be held and wreaths laid.
The Community Centre will be opened once again after the service.
THE Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust makes awards and grants to projects supporting the Armed Forces Community. More about its work at www.covenantfund. org.uk.