Numerous events commemorating the start of WW1 have taken place so far this year,and many more are to come.Few,if any, business sectors have been more busy in supporting national and local charities than the regional press.
The following are just a very few of the projects reported to date in local newspapers. There are in depth reports of the War,with vivid imagery; and personal stories of great sacrifice and acts of heroism, bringing to us some idea of those momentous, and often horrendous times, one hundred years ago.
From the Clitheroe Advertiser comes the report of estate agent and fund-raiser, Bill Honeywell’s 400-mile bike ride taking-in well known landmarks and places visited during his journey from Horse Guards Parade, via Dover and Calais, to Compeine ,where the Armistice was signed on 11th November 1918. He was accompanied by 50 servicemen and ex-servicemen.He raised £75,000 for the ABF Soldiers’ Charity collected by way of just giving.com.
The Northern Echo has been covering the outbreak of war…and the Trinity regional newspapers…John Hardman completed a triathlon. 68-year old John, an ex-Royal Navy Physical Training Instructor from Fareham wanted to do his bit. He swam 1914 metres, that is 76.56 lengths of the swimming pool,cycled 28 km (16 miles), and ran 7km (four miles).A big fund-raiser for the Royal British Legion Riders Branch (£50,000),John has raised £1,000 at just giving.com so far with his triathlon event…
A spectacular commemoration is the Tower of London ceramic poppies appeal which will accept as donations for the Royal British Legion the proceeds from the eventual sale of 888,246 ceramic poppies, one for each service person lost in the four year conflict…
The Woodland Trust is also getting into the action with its tree planting launch jointly promoted with the South Wales Guardian…
The Portsmouth News reported the unveiling of a WW1 memorial by Prince Harry in Folkstone for the Short Step charity…
Hold the front page provides further unexpected news stories gleaned from regional newspaper archives…
more about ww1…
Horse charity offers tour of ww1 battlefields…
ww1 garden tribute to the fallen of the village of Bleadon,Somerset…
You, too can search and find events commemorating the Great War in your area supported through your own UK local newspapers