City of York Council is launching its commemorative project York Remembers: Lifting the shadow of the First World War to mark the hundredth anniversary of the signing of the armistice in 1918.
Throughout the year groups and organisations are planning a variety of commemorative activities and the City of York Council is offering free assistance and promotion of local events to encourage as much involvement by residents as possible.
Deputy Conservative Group leader Cllr Tony Richardson said:
"The Conservative group felt strongly that commemoration of this milestone should be diverse and city-wide, taking in a range of views on the conflict and on the meaning of war, and believed that the council’s role should be to help facilitate where needed the plans of those interested in marking this date. Following our successful council motion a steering group was put in place to help York remember the war as meaningfully as possible.
“So we’re keen to discover what people are already planning for commemorative events and what the council and its partners might be able to do to support and promote them to. We also want to hear what particular events people would most like to see across the city this year. It would be a fitting tribute to all who suffered in this conflict if we could involve as many residents and communities in York as possible to mark this date in the ways most meaningful to them "
Examples of events planned for the city include:
- 100 Years: 1000 Voices – an inter-school event, bringing together school-aged children to sing commemorative songs about World War One in The Barbican on November 12th.
- 100 Years Since the Armistice – On November 10th a event by Fishergate, Fulford and Heslington Local History Society tells the life stories of the 86 former pupils of Fishergate School who are named on the Great War Memorial in the school porch.
Events the council is looking to support or highlight can range from art exhibitions or film screenings, to lectures or community projects. Ideas can be submitted online via CYC’s Get Involved form, or residents can contact the council team directly to discuss any ideas or queries prior to submitting them.
To include your event in the city’s overall programme, find the council’s Get Involved form and further information here:
https://www.york.gov.uk/WW1Commemorations
The Commemoration team can be contacted at [email protected]
The deadline for submitting events is the 3rd of August 2018.