Alford Manor House have been successfully awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant for their forthcoming WW1 Centenary Commemorative project, running from May 2014 to June 2019.
A community exhibition entitled ‘Alford Remembers: WW1 Centenary’, will run from 4 Aug 2014 – June 2019. Existing records and objects within the museum’s collections, in addition to collated memories and experiences of local people will help to create an invaluable record of learning material for future generations, looking at how WW1 truly impacted on local people and our heritage.
On 4 August 2014, Alford Manor House will be hosting an Edwardian Tea Party in their stunning gardens, to commemorate the centenary of the first day of war. An Oak tree will be planted in commemoration, in addition to people dressed in period costume and music and entertainment from the wartime period provided throughout. There will also be a night time, torchlit procession, assembling at St. Wilfrid’s church, for a service of remembrance. Flags representing every country involved in the war to be carried by schoolchildren, led by the Royal British Legion standard bearer.
On 24 September, 2014, we will be creating a life-size trench within the Manor House grounds, working alongside currently serving soldiers, volunteers and local schools and youth groups.
Over the centenary period, the Manor House will encourage children and young adults to collaborate in the project and provide a family trail, dressing-up boxes and other activities to bring this period to life. The project also will offer a series of talks on the post-Edwardian period and the local area during WW1.
Information regarding the project, including events, updates on the rolling exhibition and activities, will be made available through the site’s website at http://www.alfordmanorhouse.co.uk/ and advertised using social media on their Facebook page and Twitter @AlfordManor.
