An evening of words and music to commemorate the end of World War One
All Saints’ Church, Westbury will be the setting for an evening of words and music titled ‘Goodbye-ee, a remembrance and farewell to arms at the end of WW1’ as the town’s commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War draw to a close.
Local author, Jane Russ, is gathering a cast of local musicians and readers including Penny Birnstingl, Ward Jones, Beth Thomas, Brian Tilley and Mark Whitwood: collectively The Ensemble to present a programme of both well known and less familiar music, poetry and prose from the period.
It will combine readings of prose and poetry, with music evocative of the time and played on instruments that would have been found in the trenches.
Team rector, Revd Rhona Floate said, “This promises to be an engaging, thoughtful and inspiring evening, presented by some of today’s finest local performers, rounding off a week of events across the town in remembrance of those who lived, loved, fought and kept the home fires burning right through to the Armistice.”
The event takes place on Friday 16th November at 7pm. Entry is free, with a retiring collection.
Other events hosted by All Saints’ are The Accrington Pals presented by Apollo Productions on Friday 9th November at 7pm (ticket event) and an exhibition by Westbury Family History Society 10th – 17th November during church daily opening hours.
WW1 Remembrance at Holy Trinity Church in Dilton Marsh
On Sunday 11th November, at 4pm, Holy Trinity Church will be showing the film adaption of “Journey’s End” to bring the 2018 Remembrance Day commemorations to a close in Dilton Marsh.
Sue Stanley for Holy Trinity PCC says, “The film adaptation, was directed by Saul Dibb earlier this year as part of the British commemoration of the First World War centenary, of the play “Journey’s End” by R C Sherriff.
“It was adapted for the screen by Simon Reade, who also produced it with Guy de Beauheu of Fluidity Films.
“It is a film telling the story of a group of soldiers and their fate towards the end of World War 1.
“As it is rated 12A, any children under 12 need to be accompanied by a responsible adult as there may be some scenes and themes that may be disturbing. There will be an interval when refreshments will be served. Tickets are free but are limited, so please don’t wait. There will be a voluntary retiring collection for the Royal British Legion who work so hard to support past and present members of the armed forces and their families.
“Members of Holy Trinity PCC look forward to welcoming you into the church, on the High Street, on 11th November. (Sat Nav post code BA13 4BU)
“Please call the church warden, Mr Garth Brocksopp, for current ticket information on 01373 822414 or via the church Facebook page – private message to Holy Trinity Church Dilton Marsh.”
Armistice at Yarnbrook
To mark the armistice of 1918, a weekend of events are planned at Yarnbrook Chapel.
“On Saturday 10th we will be having an open morning, from 10.30am. The morning will include displays about the men from Yarnbrook, Heywood and Hawkeridge who did not return. We will be marking two minutes’ silence at 11am. Coffee and refreshments will also be served. The chapel will be decorated with poppies.
“There were 17 men from the area we will be remembering. We are still looking for information about Harry Clark. Among the others were Roland Cook Keates, who was at the time the tallest man in the British army and his brother Donald Robert Keates, who died exactly 100 years ago, one of the last before the armistice, dying on 10th November 1918.
“Our usual service will be on Sunday afternoon 11th November at 3pm, which will also include the two minutes’ silence.
All are welcome – particularly any who may be related to those who fell. For further information, contact the Pastor, Andrew Jones, on 01225 -920818.
In Memory of the Men from Hawkeridge, Heywood and Yarnbrook who gave their lives; 1914-1918
George Arthur William Hibberd; William Ferris; Frederick Cook; Harry Cockell; Charles Beaven; Richard Doel; Harry Clark; Joseph Bailey; Percy Shrapnell; Frank Webb; George Percy Coward; Donald Robert Keates; Roland Cook Keates; Walter Foyle; Henry John Abbott; Charles Alfred Grant; Charles Wyndham Barnes
We will Remember Them. 1918-2018
Centenary of WW1 Armistice in Chapmanslade and Corsley
The communities of Corsley and Chapmanslade will be joining with communities all over the country to commemorate the exact centenary of the signing of the Armistice that brought to an end the First World War and to show respect for the residents of the two villages who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country.
On Friday 9th November from 7.30pm, at St Margaret’s Church in Corsley, there will be a concert; an evening of music and songs from the period, poetry, film, a résumé of the war and a collection of local memorabilia.
There will be a licensed bar and admission is free, with a retiring collection for the British Legion. Everyone is invited to come along to pay their respects to the 28 men from Corsley and Chapmanslade who sacrificed their lives in the “War To End All Wars”.
A new book, “Lest We Forget”, will be launched at the concert. It contains the biographies of the 28 men and a diary of the war as it affected Corsley and Chapmanslade, compiled from articles in the Warminster and Westbury Journal from 1914 to 1918, The 60-page book costs £8 and will be on sale at the end of the concert.
On Sunday 11th November, at St Margaret’s Church in Corsley, there will be a Remembrance Day service, commencing at 10.50am. The “Lest We Forget” book will also be on sale after the service.
And in Chapmanslade on 11th November, from 10.30am, there will be an Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial, located in St Philip and St James’ churchyard, There will be a Garden of Remembrance with crosses commemorating the 17 village residents who lost their lives in the conflict. Residents will be invited to place a cross there in memory of a member of their own family who died. Later, at around 12 noon, commemorative trees will be planted at the Memorial Field, followed by a Bring and Share lunch in the Village Hall, to which everyone is invited. The “Lest We Forget” book will also be on sale at the lunch.
Remembrance evening in Dilton Marsh
A remembrance evening will be held at Providence Baptist Church, in conjunction with Dilton Marsh Historical Society, this Thursday, 8th November, from 7.30pm.
Held in the Chapel Hall, there will be a film of remembrance, poetry, as well as diary accounts. To celebrate the centenary of the end of the First World War, the emphasis will surround this celebration.
Colonel John Lewis, serving officer and chairman of the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association (SASRA) council will be speaking.
Everyone is encouraged to bring and share any memorabilia they have of family members during this time.
Refreshments will be available and everyone is welcome. For more information visit www.providence-ebenezer.org.uk.
Giant hillside poppy
A GIANT hillside poppy has been put in place on Picquet Hill above Bratton, to mark the Royal British Legion’s period of Remembrance. This year’s event commemorates the centenary of the end of World War I. See picture on front page.
Peter Gale, who owns the land including Picquet Hill, donated funds for the poppy to made for the village.
Each year, during the Remembrance period, members of the Bratton branch of the Royal British Legion place the giant poppy on the hill overlooking the village of Bratton.
