Local WWI Events Oct – Dec.

Many events are taking place in Warwick to mark the centenary of the WWI Armistice. Here are those happening from October to December. Contact details for the events can be found on the long-term calendar ‘What’s On in Warwick’ on Unlocking Warwick’s website www.unlockingwarwick.org

October 5th.  Gala Dinner to launch Warwick Poppies 2018. The huge display of hand-made poppies will decorate the interior of St. Mary’s Church. (The dinner at the church is sold out).

October 6th – December 9th. Poppy Display at St. Mary’s. The display will be open to the general public every day, (except during weddings, concerts or other events).

October 7th. The Warwick Armistice Afternoon Tea. 2pm – 4pm. in the Court House ballroom. Unlocking Warwick will stage a presentation about how Warwick was affected by WWI, with personal stories of some of those from the town who died, song, poems, and a 1918 tea. Tickets £16 from the Visitor Information Centre or phone 01926 334418. Part of Warwick Words History Festival.

October 8th. WWI Commemorative Day at Leamington Football Club. 11am – 3pm with food, drink and entertainment including at 2pm a recreation of the ‘Christmas Truce’ football match on the Western Front.

October 9th – December 15th. Poppy Display at the Fusiliers Museum, with an official unveiling on Oct 13th. The stairs and first floor at St. John’s House, home of the museum of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, will be decorated by hand-made poppies.

October 13th. The Warwick WWI Walk. 3pm – 4pm. Starting at the Court House, where the Mayor will re-enact the reading of the proclamation of war 100 years ago, guides from Unlocking Warwick will tell of the impact of the war on Warwick. An easy walk up Church Street will stop at the War Memorial to hear individual stories of some of The Fallen, then proceed to St. Mary’s to see the spectacular poppy display. Tickets £5 from the Visitor Information Centre or email warwickwalks@aol.com  All proceeds will go to St. Mary’s and the Fusilier Museum.

October 14th. The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers’ Service and Parade  – this year commemorating the 50th anniversary of its formation. St. Mary’s Church and a march through the town from 4pm.

October 27th. Fusiliers Museum St. John’s – The Battle of the Somme – a talk by David Seeney. 2pm. £5. 01926 491653

October 28th. St. Mary’s Church – War and Peace. The St. James’s Singers commemorate the end of WWI with music and readings. 8pm. In aid of the British Legion. Tickets £12.50 and £17.50 from St. Mary’s Gift Shop or call 07502 939498

November 1st. In the Ballroom – Warwick Poppies 2018. 2pm. The monthly social gathering at the Jury Street Court House with tea and cake will hear about the creation of the spectacular poppy display in St. Mary’s Church. £2. No need to book.

November 8th. The Armistice in Warwickshire, a lunchtime Show and Tell at the County Record Office with a look at the local reports from Nov 11th 1918. 1pm – 1.30pm. Free.

November 9th. Music and Readings from the Great War. An evening of words and music at Warwick Hall with pupils from Warwick School and King’s High, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armistice. Free to attend. 01926 776438. www.thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk

November 11th.  Remembrance Sunday – the Centenary. At 6pm a dawn piper will play When Battle’s O’er at the War Memorial in Church Street, marking the moment the Armistice was signed. He will then play further pieces in front of the poppy display in St. Mary’s Church. At 10am there will be special church services, a short service at the War Memorial, and at 11am the two minutes’ silence followed by a march through town of military units and youth organisations. At 12.30 the bells of St. Mary’s will ring as they did 100 years ago.

November 11th.  Armistice Concert in St. Mary’s. We Will Remember – Duruflé Requiem. Poetry interleaved with the music. Free to attend with unreserved seating, but tickets must be obtained from Bridge House Theatre box office 01926 776438 or St. Mary’s shop.

December 6th. St. Mary’s Church – The Christmas Truce. 7pm. A talk by local historians about the events at Christmas on the Western Front. Free to attend but get a ticket from the Visitor Information Centre or the St. Mary’s shop.

See all events coming up in Warwick on Unlocking Warwick’s long-term calendar, What’s On in Warwick – at a Glance. www.unlockingwarwick.org/events/whats-on-in-warwick-at-a-glance/