The village of Wendens Ambo is planning a series of events for all age groups to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War in August 1914.

With a theme of ‘The transition from rural tranquillity to the horrors of war’, the commemoration will focus on what the daily lives of villagers was like around 1914, how village life changed during the war, and how it had a permanent effect on rural life and communities.

The centrepiece of the commemorative events will be a tribute to the seven men from the village who served in the Great War and paid the ultimate sacrifice. The display will focus on the lives and background of these men and their families before the war and on their military service during the conflict. Another display will concentrate on the 54 men from Wendens Ambo who enlisted, fought, and returned.

To support these key exhibitions there will be a number of other events and displays including photographs of the village around the beginning of the 20th century, an exhibition of medals and memorabilia, an interactive and educational workshop for village children on various aspects of the First World War, and an art competition and a poetry/prose competition.

The events are planned for August and September and a full programme will be released nearer the time.

A spokesman for the project said: “While the contents of the commemorative events are specific to Wendens Ambo, we hope that they will reflect the effect of the war on all rural communities in the area and will therefore attract interested visitors from outside the village.”

The committee would be pleased to hear from anyone with village connections or who may have details of any of the men from Wendens Ambo who went to war.

Further details of the events and entry forms for the art and poetry/prose competitions can be obtained by contacting 01799 540980 or 542258, or e-mailing wwone.wendensambo@gmail.com.

• Do you know any stories or own any memorabilia from the First World War?

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