Led by volunteers from the local community, the project will enable young people to uncover the stories of local men who fought in the First World War and the impact on the families left behind.

Yarm 1914 Centenary commemoration group is an organisation that has been created to organise large and small scale events relating to the First World War throughout the period 2014 to 2018 with an aim to bring the stories and events of local people who lived through the conflict to today’s generation. The young people will produce a lasting memory of their research in a book, sharing photographs of events and discoveries made during the project.

Commenting on the award, Chairman of the Yarm1914 Centenary Commemoration, Peter Monck said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident that there will be something for everyone as the project unfolds. We aim to educate people of all ages about the contribution and sacrifice people from Yarm gave to create the world today. We are launching the project during the weekend of 2 August with a display on Willey Flatts field. Visitors will be able to try the food available at the time, ride on period fairground attractions, experience a recreated First World War trench and see period recreations. The weekend will culminate with a gathering in the centre of Yarm on the evening of Monday 4 August when we join in the national remembrance of the declaration of war at 11.00pm.”
 
Explaining the importance of the HLF support, head of  HLF North East, Ivor Crowther, said: “The impact of the First World War is far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already invested more than £46million in projects – large and small - enabling even more communities to be involved in Centenary activities, like those involved in Yarm1914, 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

About Yarm 1914 commemoration group
The group was set up a year ago on 27th February 2013 to ensure the local people from Yarm are not forgotten during the 100 year commemoration activities. The members are all enthusiastic about the local heritage and come from a range of backgrounds. There are members from the Royal British Legion which was formed on 15 May 1921 bringing together four National Organisations of ex-Service men that had established themselves after the Great War of 1914-1918. Members also have links with the community and families that lived during this period. The group is supported by members from local organisations, including Preston Museum Services.

Further information

Images and interviews, please contact Peter Monck at pjm2512@gmail.com or phone 01614 888786.

Lucinda Tyrrell at Heritage Lottery Fund on 0207 591 6031 or email: Lucindat@hlf.org.uk.