Donaghcloney village will '˜Remember the Somme'

The village of Donaghcloney will reflect upon the great loss suffered during the Somme Offensive and indeed the Great War in general in late June.

Donaghcloney ‘Remembers The Somme’, a week of events organised by a local steering committee representing various local groups and organisations, will reflect upon the sacrifice made by so many a Centenary ago.

Around 200 men from Donaghacloney village and the local area are believed to have served with various divisions throughout the four years, with at least 43 never to return.

Indeed many families, some with up to eight members of a family at the Front throughout the four years, suffered greatly.

The after effects of this period in our shared history will never be forgotten.

Events commence on Tuesday 21st June.

The exhibition will open at 11am until 3pm, with a special feature including the Standards of the 2nd Battalion West Down Ulster Volunteer Regiment in Donaghcloney Orange Hall.

On Tuesday evening the Great War Exhibition featuring Postcards of the Great War and artifacts and memorabilia will open again at 7pm in Donaghcloney Orange Hall.

Also on Tuesday at 8pm, a presentation on the Great War and the local area input will be provided by renowned Historian Richard Edgar at the Orange Hall.

This event will also feature a selection of war time music provided by Banbridge Accordian Orchestra.

On Wednesday 22nd June, the entire community are invited to participate in a parade and Act of Remembrance. Meeting at the British Legion at 7pm, the parade will commence at 7.15pm and make its way through the village before an Act of Remembrance to be held at the War Memorial.

The parade will be headed by a colour party and historical re-enactors, resembling the scenes from one hundred years ago. The community/ local groups and all organisations are encouraged to participate in this parade.

Local school children, churches and a community choir will also participate in the short remembrance service.

The Great War Exhibition will remain open at the Orange Hall on this evening, whilst light refreshments will be served at the Royal British Legion at the conclusion of the parade.

A selection of military vehicles will also be on view and will be located centrally in the village.

On Thursday 23rd, the Great War Postcard exhibition provided by Ashley Forbes will again open at 7pm.

On Friday 1st July, the annual Somme Parade hosted by the Royal British Legion will leave the Legion at 7.15pm.

A ‘Postcard from the Front’ competition has also been organised with local school children invited to participate. A selection of these postcards will be on view throughout the exhibition period at the Orange Hall.

In addition to the above, a specially commissioned booklet will be available, priced at £3.

The booklet charts the formative years of the local volunteers in West Down and proceeds to capture the histories of the various Divisions at the Somme and the local contribution. The booklet also includes short forewords from the local churches.

All events are free and everyone is invited to attend and participate.

For further details, why not visit our facebook page or contact: https://www.facebook.com/donacloneyremembers/