World War One centenary commemorative events across Derbyshire

A vast amount of World War One centenary commemorative events marking the outbreak of the conflict are being held across Derbyshire.
A local newspaper cutting from World War One.A local newspaper cutting from World War One.
A local newspaper cutting from World War One.

Villages and towns had their communities torn apart by heartbreaking losses after Britain’s declaration of war against Germany on August 4, 1914.

The same places will remember those who fought on the frontline and the homefront with events in August.

Below is a list of some of those in our region:

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A commemorative service is being held at Hall Road Methodist Church, Brimington, from 10.45am, on August 10.

Tales of enemy attacks and life in the trenches feature as part of the Archives Aloud: Voices from the Front event being held at Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock. The read aloud session is on August 7, from 2pm, and features original letters, diaries and poems written by those serving on the front line. Booking is essential. Call 01629 538547.

St. Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Clay Cross, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, will be holding an exhibition on Saturday, August 2, between 10am and 4pm. Admission is free with donations welcome.

There will be displays, timelines, audio and visual information provided and a short dedication service for a poppy cross of remembrance in a community garden at 10.30am. The final episode of Blackadder goes Fourth will be shown at 3.30pm.

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Chesterfield residents can take part in a series of events at Chesterfield Museums to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

The events will be at Chesterfield Borough Council operated venues.

Events will take place at Chesterfield Museum on:

On August 9 and 16, The Pomegranate Youth Theatre will be performing a series of readings from the First World War poets and letters from a Chesterfield soldier

On August 11, First World War Medicine; discover about life as a VAD nurse and life in a field hospital

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On August 14, “School Life and Period Games”; explore school life during the First World War, the lessons being taught and the games being played

On August 15, “Come and meet The Tommy Teaches”; a hands on look at the life of a First World War soldier.

There will also be an exhibition in the museum’s video room from Monday, August 4, called ‘Faces of the First World War’.

An additional event will take place at Revolution House, Old Whittington on August 10, called Meet a First World War Officer.

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As part of its World War One and D-Day Landings commemoration, Alfreton Town Council has organised an event on Saturday, August 2, from 10am to 4pm, at Firs Garden, High Street, Alfreton. Admission is free.

Barlborough is hosting Barlborough War Heroes, from 11am to 4pm, on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 4, with arts and crafts, displays, theatre performances and refreshments.

The Royal British Legion, Bakewell Branch, has had a memorial garden created in the Bath Gardens in Bakewell to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War. A short service of dedication and remembrance will be held at the site on Monday, August 4, at 11am.

St John’s Church, Tupton, will be showing All Quiet on the Western Front on August 6, at 7pm. There will be no charge for the film.

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The first of several planned events to commemorate the centenary of the First World War will take place on August 3, at St Andrew’s Church, Barrow Hill. The church will be open on the eve of the centenary, from 2pm to 4pm, to enable anyone to call in and light a candle. A candle-lit vigil will be held later, in the presence of the Mayor of Chesterfield. The service will begin at 6pm.

A service will be held at S.S. Augustine’s Church, Derby Road on Sunday, August 3, at 9am.

A Vigil Service, led by the Vicar, the Rev Rachel Gouldthorpe, will be held in the Bolsover Parish Church of St Mary and St Laurence, on Sunday, August 3, at 6pm.

An exhibition of First World War memorabilia, photographs and art work, will be held in the Community Room at St Matthew’s Church, Renishaw, from Sunday, August 3.

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There will be a special service at St Matthew’s Church on August 4, at 7pm. The service will be followed by a time of vigil until 11pm, the time the war was declared. From 8pm onwards people are invited to call in at the church and pay their respects by lighting a candle.

There will be a special service at St Mary’s Church, Crich, on Sunday, August 3, at 6.30pm, to mark “The lights going out over Europe”.

Derbyshire County Council’s project to commemorate the First World War includes the following events.

Derbyshire Lives through the First World War funding is supporting events in Derbyshire libraries and at the Record Office include.

They include

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The Last Summer. Thursday 17 July to Saturday 27 September at the Derbyshire Records Office in Matlock during normal opening hours. An exhibition that offers a window on Derbyshire during the summer of 1914.

The Art of the First World War. Tuesday 5 August. 7.30pm. Chesterfield Library Theatre. A talk on British paintings reflecting the changing nature of war, featuring artists such as Paul Nash and Stanley Spencer. Tickets are £3 or £2 for concessions and can be booked on 01629 533400.

Voices from the Front. Thursday 7 August. 2pm – 4pm. Bringing the First World War archives to life at the Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock. Voices of those who served in the War are brought to life. Visitors can choose a letter or diary entry to read aloud or bring along their own family papers and share their story. The event is free but booking is essential on 01629 538347.

Pinxton is commemorating the centenary near Jubilee Court, at a memorial opposite the village hall, on Kirkstead Road, with a planned parade.

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Chesterfield FC Spireites’ supporters club hopes to unveil part of a newly built war memorial at the Proact Stadium, on Sheffield Road, at Whittington Moor, on August 2.

Derbyshire County Council’s project to commemorate the First World War includes the following events.

Derbyshire Lives through the First World War funding is supporing events in Derbyshire libraries and at the Record Office include.

They include:

The Last Summer. Thursday 17 July to Saturday 27 September at the Derbyshire Records Office in Matlock during normal opening hours. An exhibition that offers a window on Derbyshire during the summer of 1914.

Hide Ad
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The Art of the First World War. Tuesday 5 August. 7.30pm. Chesterfield Library Theatre. A talk on British paintings reflecting the changing nature of war, featuring artists such as Paul Nash and Stanley Spencer. Tickets are £3 or £2 for concessions and can be booked on 01629 533400.

Voices from the Front. Thursday 7 August. 2pm – 4pm. Bringing the First World War archives to life at the Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock. Voices of those who served in the War are brought to life. Visitors can choose a letter or diary entry to read aloud or bring along their own family papers and share their story. The event is free but booking is essential on 01629 538347.