First World War commemoration

Cheshire East Council is appealing to groups and individuals to get involved in the production of two events to commemorate the end of the First World War.

Called ‘When the Light Goes Out’, the events are being held to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice and will draw the council’s four-year Cheshire East Reflects programme to a close.

The first event will be held in Crewe town centre on Saturday 10 November and will focus on the survivors of the war. It will include a parade inspired by Crewe’s 1918 Tank Week, a street concert featuring bands from across Cheshire East and the premiere performance of a newly-commissioned choral piece.

The second, based on the theme of ‘the fallen’, will take place on Sunday 11 November, at Tatton Park, Knutsford, and feature building projection artwork – created and inspired by community-sourced stories and artefacts from the war – a promenade performance and the extinguishing of the commemorative flame.

The council is hoping that individuals, groups, societies and schools from across Cheshire East will get involved in putting the events together – whether that’s making and sourcing props and costumes, volunteering as an event steward, performing, or sharing stories and memories from the Great War.

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council cabinet member with responsibility for arts and culture, said: “Since Cheshire East Reflects launched in 2014, it’s been wonderful to see so many people of all ages getting involved with the programme, either by participating in activities, attending events or through school workshops.

“For the final two events, we’re hoping to involve even more people from across Cheshire East as we commemorate the First World War through memories, performance and sound.

“If you’re unable to take part yourself but know someone whose skills and talents could help us to make these events a fitting tribute to Cheshire’s soldiers, then please pass on details of the opportunities available.”

As part of the 2018 commemorative programme, activities will also be taking place in the grounds of Tatton Park on Sunday 26 August.

The day’s events will include the Cheshire East Reflects family concert, featuring the Stafford Military Wives’ Choir, Cheshire’s own Foden’s Band and Sacred Sounds, which tells the story of British India’s involvement in the First World War. Visitors are invited to take along a picnic to the concert.

‘A Soldier’s Story: Tatton Park Remembers’ will also take place and feature a range of hands-on activities programmed to help visitors uncover the past by tracing a local soldier and their individual wartime story. This event has been programmed by Tatton Park and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

For more details about Cheshire East Reflects and how you can get involved, visit: www.cheshireeastreflects.com