Bournemouth Council (3 April 2014) launched a free programme of exciting and engaging events in conjunction with local schools, libraries and organisations to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
Postcards for Peace, a competition encouraging Bournemouth residents to create embroidered postcards capturing Bournemouth’s First World War stories and centenary themes, kicks off today with a closing date of 1 July 2014. Flyers detailing the competition are available from local libraries and community centres. The winning design will go on to be recreated in a flower bed by the Council in the Lower Gardens.
Other activities organised in partnership with local organisations, which Bournemouth residents can look forward to over the next year, include:
· A civic service to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War and to remember all those who lost their lives;
· Medals and Memories – residents are invited to bring their own WWI memorabilia, photos and stories to share and discuss;
· First World War Trees – located in libraries, these will capture people’s stories, art work, poems and quotes about the First World War;
· Poppy Fields – a programme of activity which will engage 2000+ school children in Bournemouth and Poole with a large scale creative project involving: research, storytelling, creative writing, performance, thousands of poppies, an exhibition and a book and much more;
· The Children’s Festival – a pre-WWI themed Children’s Festival will take place this year, 24 July 2014. The parade of school children will head from the Pier, through the town centre headed by the Mayor in a horse drawn carriage and the full town counsels into the Festival at Meyrick Park;
· Beacons of Hope – schools lantern making workshops followed by a town centre light parade from Bournemouth Library/ Triangle to west beach;
· As well as lots more concerts, exhibitions, lectures and workshops.
As part of their Entente Florale entry, the Council will have two flower beds in the Lower Gardens dedicated to the poet Rupert Brooke, who wrote some of the poem, ‘The Soldier’, whilst in Bournemouth in 1915. They will be full of Mediterranean wild flowers and olive trees, reflecting where he is buried in a Greek Olive Grove. A commemorative plaque will be placed for the summer in the Bournemouth Gardens, which will commemorate the Bournemouth Parks gardeners who died in both wars. Finally for each floral display around the town one pedestal will be completely red to commemorate the War.
Councillor David Kelsey, Chair of the First World War centenary planning and delivery group, said: “The First World War is an incredibly important part of our history. These programme of events will help future generations understand what happened a hundred years ago and remember those who lived, fought and died in the War. Learning from the past we hope will give our younger members of the community an understanding of the importance of peace.
“I would encourage everyone in the community to join in remembering a very significant part of our country’s history.”
The Poet Laureate for Bournemouth has also called for WWI commemoration poems from local poets which are to be published on his website, and is also running a ‘War and Peace’ poetry project with local knitting groups inspired by images from war poetry. More details on poetry projects can be found here: www.jamesmanlow.com
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is commemorating the anniversary with the following exciting events:
· Rusty Musicians Palm Court Concert – an opportunity for rusty musicians to dust off their instruments, revive their talent and enjoy the opportunity to play with BSO musicians in front of family and friends in an evening concert, recapturing the era of Palm Court Concert
· Oh What a Lovely War – BSO’s Kokoro’s next collaboration with Arts University Bournemouth;
You can follow Bournemouth’s events programme on Twitter with #BmthWWIevents
Please also check Bournemouth’s Facebook page for regular updates on events
