Preston Goes To War

As part of the national Heritage Open Weekend, the Preston Remembers project team, along with the Harris Museum & Art Gallery and Library, invite the public to mark the Centenary of Preston’s involvement with WWI and attend the Flag Market on Saturday 13 September to find out more about this incredible story.

From the echo of rousing recruitment speeches to the footsteps of soldiers marching off to war, even tanks rolling into town, the Flag Market played a key role in Preston during the First World War.

Join the Lancashire Hussars and their horses as they explain their uniform and the role they played during WW1; enjoy lots of activities for all the family including crafts and storytelling; find out how to research your own family members who served in WWI; meet the Lancashire Community History team and the Memorial Challenge volunteers researching local War Memorials throughout Preston; and take in a ‘Walk and Talk’ tour with either a local historian or the Curator of History at the Harris.

Join storyteller, Richard O’Neill, who will be in the Harris Children’s Library from 11am. His stories will take you back to 1914 when children had to say goodbye as their fathers, brothers and uncles were recruited in the services; and get the chance to make a dolly peg toy, as those children would have done 100 years ago.

Cabinet member for culture and leisure, Councillor Veronica Afrin, said: “This is a must see event, marking the historic and very important contribution Preston and its families made to the First World War.

“The Centenary of the start of World War One is an ideal opportunity to pass on to the next generation all these amazing stories of men and women and all that they sacrificed. This event and many more will be unlocking the secrets and hidden treasures of Preston throughout the weekend.”

ENDS  

Media Enquiries, Angela Sinclair, Communications Officer, (01772) 906476