THOUSANDS of people turned out to reflect on the hardships, losses and untold stories of the First World War as Cheshire East Council’s four-year programme of commemorative activity came to a close.

The authority’s ‘When the Light Goes Out’ events – part of the Cheshire East Reflects programme – used memories, performance and sound at events in Tatton Park and Crewe town centre to mark 100 years since the Armistice.

As darkness fell on Remembrance Sunday the front of Tatton Park Mansion was transformed into a vast ticking timepiece – a portal back to 1918.

Created by digital artists Illuminos, ‘Keeping Watch’ featured hundreds of letters written by local school children to Cheshire soldier Arthur Greg of Quarry Bank Mill.

As the sounds of Crewe Male Voice Choir echoed out, visitors also stopped to listen to monologues about refugee and Commonwealth participation in the war and paused for a moment to hear stories of heartbreak.

They watched games being played and dance and movement pieces being performed by young people from Bexton Primary School, Minerva Arts and Amy Greenhalgh Dance.

A formal ceremony, led by Cheshire East Mayor Lesley Smetham, the Venerable Ian Bishop, Archdeacon of Macclesfield and Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs, brought the event – and the Cheshire East Reflects programme – to a close with the extinguishing of the commemorative flame, which has burned since 2014.

Cllr Rachel Bailey, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “To our knowledge this council is the only local authority in the UK to have delivered a sustained programme of commemorative events since 2014 – something we are very proud to have achieved.

“In total, Cheshire East Reflects has seen participation from more than 30,000 people, including 3,000 pupils from 51 schools.

“Our final two events were extremely moving and a fitting close to what has been a truly Cheshire East-wide programme.

“I’d like to thank everyone who helped to put these, and all other past events, together for their tremendous efforts – ensuring those who gave their lives in the Great War will never be forgotten.”

The When the Light Goes Out events were attended by more than 4,000 people.