Led by SSAFA and working with the Defence School of Transport, Leconfield, other service charities and community based organisations the project will focus on a theme of ‘Now and Then’, offering an opportunity to both entertain and educate whilst commemorating this world altering event.

The project will enable people of all ages to gain an experience of seeing vehicles and equipment used a century apart. There will be throughout the day uniformed interpreters describing life in the 1914-18 conflict. There will also be an element of Second World War history brought to the day commemorating the 70th anniversary of D Day among other events. This will be brought to the fore as there will be (weather depending) a fly past of a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota.

Commenting on the award, Cllr David K Elvidge said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the project will allow us to put together a day worthy of this once in a lifetime occasion.”

Explaining the importance of the HLF support, Fiona Spiers, Head of  Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already invested more than £15million in projects – large and small - that are marking this global Centenary; with our new small grants programme, we are enabling even more communities like those involved in the Beverley Centenary Day project to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”

Notes to editors

Overall management of the event lies once again with SSAFA East Yorkshire this will be the sixth event. We are extremely happy to be working in a collaborative way with so many community based groups.  SSAFA East Yorkshire's primary mission is to support service personnel, veterans and their dependants offering experienced case workers to ensure where possible all their needs are addressed.

HLF-funded First World War projects include:
First World War Centenary Project, IWM London
An HLF grant of £4.5m is transforming IWM London (part of Imperial War Museums) by creating new ground-breaking First World War Galleries.

Flintham Society – Keeping the Home Fires Burning?
Keep the Homes Fires Burning? is a community history project looking at the impact of the First World War on life in the Nottinghamshire village of Flintham.

Tank Museum – Access all Areas, Dorset
Holding the world’s finest tank and armoured vehicle collection, The Tank Museum is a popular visitor attraction in the heart of Dorset. HLF’s grant is being used to house 130 ‘at risk’ vehicles, putting the entire collection indoors for the first time.

Through its First World War: then and now programme, HLF is making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019. It will provide grants between £3,000 and £10,000 enabling communities and groups right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

To find out how to apply for funding visit First World War: then and now. If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War project, it can apply to HLF through its open programmes.
Follow us on twitter @heritagelottery #understandingWW1

UK Government Centenary plans
In June 2013, the Government set out its plans to mark the centenaries of the First World War commencing in 2014. These plans include a £35m refurbishment of the First World War galleries at the Imperial War Museum (IWM); The Government’s principal partners in the commemorations will be the Heritage Lottery Fund and the IWM, but will encompass support for a multitude of other initiatives, large and small, as they come together in the months and years to come.

Further information

Cllr David K Elvidge, Chairman Armed Forces Day on munchjess@munchjess.karoo.co.uk.