Paying respect 100 years after the war ended

Commemorative events to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War are under way in and around Stamford.

The Stamford branch of the Royal British Legion is coordinating a series of events for people to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who went to war.

One of the first events was a concert at Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre where 200 children performed wartime songs.

President of the Royal British Legion, Steve Bonde, said: “They learned much about the effects of war, the meaning of remembrance and the sacrifices which are sometimes necessary to maintain the freedoms we all enjoy today.

“It was a moving tribute to all those lived, fought, and died during that dreadful war.”

Village communities are working on their own projects to mark the end of the war.

Poppies have been posted on lampposts in Tallington bearing the names of 35 men from the village who went to war, eight of whom didn’t survive.

Volunteers in Easton-on-the-Hill have knitted 1,568 poppies to display at the war memorial to mark each day of the conflict. An exhibition will also run in the village hall to share stories of war veterans.

Poppy sellers will be out and about from October 29 and members of the Royal British Legion will give talks at schools in the area to pass on the remembrance message.

Mr Bonde said: “The Armistice affected everyone - not just the soldiers but the families at home who got their fathers and husbands back. We are trying to reflect that in the commemorative events.”

Other events include:

- October 23: A thank you celebration at Easton-on-the-Hill village hall for those who have knitted poppies for a display at the war memorial

- October 29: Royal British Legion poppies go on sale

- November 2 and 3: The Suicide Squad play by Darren Rawnsley at Wilds Lodge School

- November 3: Inauguration of the Garden of Remembrance, Broad Street, Stamford, at 11am

- November 9: Coffee morning at Stamford Town Hall, 10am until midday

- November 9: Children from Uffington Primary School will take part in a service at the village church

- November 10: Re-dedication of the roll of honour at St Lawrence’s Church, Tallington, followed by a memory walk around the village to learn about those who went to war

- November 10: Remembrance service followed by a wartime exhibition at Easton-on-the-Hill village hall

- November 10: Elgar’s Spirit of England service in conjunction with Stamford Choral Society, Barn Hill Methodist Church, Stamford, at 7.30pm

- November 11: Parade and service of remembrance in Broad Street, Stamford, at 11am including a poppy drop from Browne’s Hospital during the two-minute silence

- November 11: A performance of Fauré’s Requiem by Fergus Black at All Saints’ Church, Stamford, at 5pm

- November 11 - 18: A display of children’s poetry and artwork based on thanksgiving for the end of the war and subsequent conflicts

- November 18: A service of thanksgiving at All Saints’ Church, Stamford, at 5pm.