Groups from across the North East are coming together to share the diverse ways they have been exploring the legacy of the First World War; showcase the discoveries and differences their projects have made; and look to the future of National Lottery funding for the Centenary of the conflict.

This free event is open to all and visitors will be able to see first-hand the stories and memories the projects have uncovered. There will also be a series of interactive presentations, films, archive tours and costume workshops.

Here are just some of the stories visitors will hear:

• Remarkable achievements – a group of young people from Stockton on Tees worked with the local council’s youth service to reconstruct a First World War trench and create a series of graphic novels about Stockton during the conflict. They took ownership of the project and for two and a half years committed a great deal of time and effort – with some walking three miles to attend project sessions.
• Fascinating stories – the Reflections of Newcastle project provides an insight into the cultural and social life of the city during the First World War. It discovered that when Julian the Tank Bank (a fundraising initiative for the war effort) came to Newcastle in January 1918, local people contributed over £3million – an effort communicated at the time by carrier pigeons!
• Personal connections – the Wessington U3A group has made it its mission to identify each of the men and women named on the Washington, Harraton and Usworth war memorials. As well as compiling files of information about their lives, achievements and fates, the group has visited many of their final resting places and created a moving film of the impact on those left behind. Some of those named still remain a mystery.
• Innovative approaches – Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums’ Tributaries app gives voice to thousands of letters, diaries and newspapers from a century ago, collected through the Wor Life project. Users can hear stories specific to their location as well as upload their own reflections on the heritage of the First World War.

Many of the projects have been made possible by National Lottery players through grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). £4million is available through HLF’s First World War: then and now programme and groups across the UK are being encouraged to apply now for projects marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

The event is hosted by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums (TWAM).