Nottingham City Council has announced a programme of events and activities entitled Trent to Trenches to mark the Centenary of the First World War.
More than 60 events (both paid and free to the public) are being planned, including talks, tours, exhibitions, film screenings and theatre productions.
Trent to Trenches aims to “highlight how the conflict was a catalyst for huge social and economic change in the communities of Nottinghamshire, and provide a lasting legacy for future generations of this important time in the history of the country”.
Highlights
Britain and the Great War 1914-18 (June 2014)
A “living history event” at Rufford Abbey County Park covering aspects of military and civilian life with song & dance, static displays, vehicles and children’s activities.
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo; adapted for the stage by Simon Reade (July 2014)
A theatre production in which Private “Tommo” Peaceful recalls his life – from his happy rural upbringing, through school, to the outbreak of war, and the trenches of Flanders.
Trent to Trenches Exhibition (July – November 2014)
Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery will host an exhibition which explores the experiences of Nottinghamshire people, at home and in the trenches of Northern France, through “powerful visual images and artefacts”.
Fields of Battle Street Exhibition (September – November 2014)
A travelling open air exhibition – depicting battlefields of the First World War as they are today – will be in Nottingham City Centre to mark the Centenary.
Great War Art Weekend (September 2014)
Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery will host art workshops, guided talks and ‘meet the artist’ events.
“Fitting tribute”
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, described the events planned across Nottinghamshire as a “fitting tribute to the thousands of Nottinghamshire people who lost their lives in the Great War” and that he hoped “our diverse programme of events and activities will appeal to people of all ages.”
The Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Alan Rhodes, said that “it is important that today’s young people fully understand the sacrifices made by a whole generation during the Great War”.
“I hope many of the events planned to commemorate the War will both educate and inform people of the terrible losses suffered in Nottinghamshire whilst at the same time pay tribute to the thousands of young men and women who fought for our country’s freedom”.
Jennifer Spencer, Chief Executive at Experience Nottinghamshire, said: “The Trent to Trenches series of events to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War has enabled Experience Nottinghamshire to form a great partnership with Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council”.
“This partnership makes it easier for the visitor to find out about events happening across the city and county as all of the information is hosted in one place”.
To visit the Trent to Trenches website, click here.
Details of all events can be found on the Experience Nottinghamshire website.
Source: Nottingham City Council press release
Images courtesy of Trent to Trenches
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News