WINSFORDIANS – Your Town Needs You.

In an historic first, Winsford Library will be going back in time to offer locals the chance to have their First World War memories and memorabilia catalogued for posterity by the Cheshire Records Office.

War time tunes and a soldier’s Gallipoli diaries will feature during the roadshow event between 11am-4pm on Thursday, May 8.

Winsford History Society and the Cheshire Military Museum have teamed up for the special event, which will allow visitors to handle century-old items relating to the Great War and discover more about life in the trenches and the home front.

“During the day Willow Wood Primary school children will be entertaining us with some songs of the trenches,” said Winsford Historical Society, Mary Curry.

“One local man kept a diary of his time in Gallipoli and although the original is not available, a transcript of it will be on show.

“The display will also give an insight into the role of both the women and the children left at home and the Library café will be offering a special 1914 themed menu.”

Elsewhere, local author, John Malam, will be in British Tommy costume, reading letters written by a soldier and running a workshop with children on letter writing.

To commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War, Winsford History Society have produced their third issue of the New Winsford Record.

Copies of Winsford in 1914 will be available on the day priced £1, of which 50p will go to the Poppy Fund. For further details, contact the secretary on 01606 557983

 

ELSEWHERE, many other events are planned in Winsford to mark the outbreak of war.

On Sunday, July 27 – the day before Austria Hungry declared war on Serbia – a memorial service will be held in the Winsford Cross Shopping Centre.

Between September 17-21, the Winsford Salt Fair will have the Great War as its main theme – looking at the impact of the war on those who worked in the local salt industry and their families, through information displays, demonstrations and practical activities.

There will be a re-enactment of a First World War era classroom, a memorial to local ‘salt soldiers’ who left the mines for the front line, tree plantings, ‘poppy cruises’ on the flashes and a ‘farewell to the boys’ evening, marking local lads’ departure to Europe.

On September 26, the Over Allotments Association will present the nationally renowned Mikron Theatre Company’s production of Troupers – Concerts at the Front’.

On November 9, crowds will gather for Remembrance Sunday at Winsford Cross Shopping Centre.