Malpas 100 Years On

WE'RE SAYING THANK YOU TO THE WW1 GENERATION

Introduction:
The weekend's events – "Malpas 100 Years On" – are the work of local people.

We wanted to mark one of the most significant moments in history by commemorating the men, women and children on all sides who, in battle or at home, endured life-changing experiences or lost their lives.

Peace is the cause for which wars have been fought throughout history. But the number of people killed in World War One is without parallel and countless more suffered injuries to mind or body. Sadly the hopes that this would be the war to end all wars were not enough to achieve a lasting peace.

There is a saying that nations which cannot remember their past are condemned to repeat it – we who live in peace now have a duty to help ensure that future generations never forget what happened a century ago.

The programme evolved from a conversation between our Rector, Canon Ian Davenport, and our local Cheshire West and Chester Councillor, Chris Whitehurst, over a photograph from 1914 that shows a Belgium flag on the thatched roof property next to the Old Fire Station on the High Street.

This is an historic record of the welcome and hospitality which two refugee families received from the Malpas community when fleeing from their homes after Germany invaded Belgium at the outbreak of war.

This act of kindness to strangers was also the inspiration for "The Poppies of Malpas" especially written for us by Rod Brookfield.

In 2018, as our village swells, working together as a welcoming community is equally important today, as it was then.
It is hoped that the project will help our new arrivals to understand some of our local history.

I hope residents and visitors whatever your age will appreciate and enjoy the various events and that you will, with me, wish to express your gratitude to the many individuals and organisations that have contributed in their different ways to the making of this weekend.

Richard Hoffman
Organising Committee Chairman

100 years ago the guns fell silent on the world's first truly global war.

It is time to think about all of those who lived in that tragic and remarkable time – and who put Britain on the path to becoming what it is today.

Download the PDF "Battles-Over-Guide" to learn more


MALPAS "100 YEARS ON" COMMEMORATION EVENT

Project Objectives

• to remember and honour the soldiers who are listed on the Malpas War Memorial and gave their lives in the Great War
• to recognise the hardship endured and sacrifices made by local residents during the period 1914 – 1918.
• to provide a comprehensive cross section of events that will be of interest to our current village residents, thus helping newcomers to the village, to get to know our history, thereby enhancing our overall community spirit.

Saturday 10th November – Village Parade
The main purpose of the Saturday parade is to highlight significant milestones in social and military history. I.e.

• 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that brought World War One to a close.
• 100 years since the formation of the RAF.
• 100 years since Women over 30 years of Age who owned property were granted the right to vote.

The three-day event took place in Malpas on 9th, 10th and 11th November 2018 marking the 100th Anniversary of The Armistice.

The project started with the search for First World War artefacts.

Local and former residents were encouraged to share family photographs and memorabilia from the period to enable a Wartime Roadshow to take place in the High Street Church.

Schoolchildren were asked to help in providing what was to go on display by finding out what contribution, military or otherwise, their families had made during the First World War, gathering photos and memorabilia and writing up their family histories both for display and for reading out in a public gathering.

Shop windows, period costume and re-enactments transformed Malpas village back to 1918.

At 11:15 am on Saturday 10th November, a commemorative parade of period vehicles, horses, carts, carriages and attired residents moved through the streets making its respectful way to the Malpas Recreation Ground.

On the recreation ground, a representative trench network formed part of the displays and stood as part in the Great War commemoration time slip.

Village youngsters took part in military style survival training, helping them understand the conditions of war.

At 10:45 am, on Sunday 11th November, a Parade marched from the High Street to a Remembrance Service in St. Oswald's Church

After the service wreaths were laid at the war memorial and with military precision the retiring parade was decommissioned on the High Street.

The weekend culminated at St. Oswald's Church as the Church Choir and Malpas Ladies Choir sang in an evening service.

After the service, Malpas residents assembled outside the church.

A single canon gunshot was fired, a bugler sounded the last post, and a ceremonial beacon was lit as part of the National Commemoration initiative.

Finally the church bells pealed The "All Clear"

Click on the buttons below to find more information and see pictures of the occassion.

Programme of events. Press releases. Friday 9th November 2018 Events

Festival of 100 Poppies. Poetry Competition

Wartime Roadshow – Domestic Artefacts

Wartime Roadshow – Military Artefacts. The Trenches

High Street Activities – Saturday 10th November – 2018

Remembrance Service – Sunday 11th November 2018. Community Support

The Malpas Men who gave their Lives

More details of the event are available from the Committee Secretary on 01948 860333 or by E-mailing: editor@malpascheshire.org