A promotion of collectibles and events for the Somme Centenary.
SOMME 1916: FROM DURHAM TO THE WESTERN FRONT
One hundred years on, this commemorative exhibition explores the Battle of the Somme through the eyes of people from County Durham who were there.
Somme 1916: from Durham to the Western Front tells the stories of the people from County Durham who were caught up in the battle: the men who fought and died on the battlefield; the women who nursed the wounded and comforted the dying; and the workers who toiled in factories, mines, and shipyards across the county to support the war effort.
The exhibition has been developed by Durham University in partnership with Durham County Council and the trustees of the former Durham Light Infantry. It showcases items from the DLI Collection alongside other items specially loaned by other museums and archives.
DATES: Friday 25 March-Sunday 2 October 2016. The exhibition is open 10am-5pm daily.
WHERE: Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RN
PRICE: Tickets can be purchased in person at Palace Green Library and are valid for three visits to the exhibition. Admission: adults, £7.50 ; children (over five) and concessions, £6.50; infants (under five; up to two infants per full paying adult), free; family (two paying adults and two children), £25; groups (of nine or more): £6.50 per person.
WEB: www.dur.ac.uk/palace.green/somme
EMAIL: pg.library@durham
2016 GREAT WAR CENTENARY FIRST DAY COVER (WITH NEW SOMME STAMP)
A stunning Great War centenary 2016 first day cover is available to pre-order from leading UK stamp producers Buckingham Covers.
This limited edition collectable includes a Great War poster design and the full set of six upcoming Royal Mail stamps, including a £1.52 ‘Thiepval Memorial, Somme’ stamp. The collectable envelope also has a special London SW1 postmark.
ON SALE: Stamps due for release on 21 June 2016
WHERE TO BUY: www.buckinghamcovers.com/mhm
PRICE: £16.95 (Product Code BC542). Payment only taken once product is available to send.
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 01303 278 137
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME CENTENARY TOUR
This film tour is part of an international project to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. We are working with Imperial War Museums (IWM) as part of the First World War Centenary Partnership to show this iconic film from IWM’s collection, with orchestras worldwide performing Laura Rossi’s acclaimed score. Professional, amateur, and youth orchestras are invited to take part and perform live to The Battle of the Somme in a national remembrance event to mark the centenary. The UNESCO-listed film was watched by over half the UK adult population on its release in 1916 – a box office record not beaten until the release of Star Wars in 1977. If you are interested in performing in or hosting one of these events, please get in touch.
‘And these troops in the mud grinned or stared at us to a new music score by Laura Rossi, brilliantly effective’
– Geoff Brown, The Times *****
DATES: 100 performances nationwide between 1 July 2016 and 15 July 2017
WHERE: See website for details – 100 performances nationwide including the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall on 18 November 2016 at 7.30pm
WEB: www.somme100film.com
EMAIL: [email protected]
BATTLE OF THE SOMME CENTENARY
The centenary anniversary of the Battle of the Somme is an important date for Beamish to commemorate as so many soldiers and families from the local area were affected by the battle. An opportunity to reflect on the devastation of the First World War, this event will commemorate the contribution and sacrifice our local soldiers made to the conflict.
Event highlights include performances by the Borneo Band and the Durham and Northumberland Wing ATC (Saturday and Sunday). The Manchester Regiment First World War re-enactment group will also be on show. Attendees can meet the Gordon Highlanders (Friday and Sunday), see the incredible 16th Lancers Calvary unit (Saturday and Sunday), sample the cooking from the 29th Field Kitchen, and visit the Upper Bank Board Room to see a display of First World War trench art, part of a joint project with Newcastle University
DATES: 1-3 July 2016
WHERE: Beamish Museum, Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG
PRICE: Included in the admission charge to Beamish. Adult, £18.50, child, £10.50; senior/student, £13.50. Tickets available online at www.beamish.org.uk or at the museum on the day of visit. All tickets valid for unlimited free visits for 12 months.
WEB: www.beamish.org.uk
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 0191 370 4000
NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM COMMEMORATES BATTLE OF THE SOMME
In partnership with The Royal British Legion, the National Memorial Arboretum (a living and growing tribute to those who serve and continue to serve our Nation) will commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme with a variety of events and activities.
Events at the Arboretum in Staffordshire will include a candlelit vigil and remembrance service on 30 June to mark the start of the battle, plus weekly Battle of the Somme guided walks around the 150-acre site, which is home to hundreds of military memorials and around 30,000 trees.
A section of an authentic replica WWI trench will be constructed at the Arboretum and there will also be a mass-participation art project, representing the 19,240 soldiers who died on the first day of the battle. The commemorations will close with a service on 18 November. For details on events and activities, log on to www.thenma.org.uk/somme100
DATES: 30 June-18 November 2016
WHERE: National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, DE13 7AR
PRICE: Free entry
WEB: www.thenma.org.uk/somme100
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 01283 245 100
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ISSUE
As part of a continuing commemoration of the 100th anniversary of World War I, Isle of Man Post Office looks to the Battle of the Somme for this stamp issue.
The decision to begin fighting on the Somme, taken for political reasons, saw fresh battle lines open in the battle of attrition that defined the Western Front. The furnace of war also forged massive and rapid change in military tactics, as depicted in the stamps from this issue.
This set is highly collectable for anyone with an interest in World War I and all military history, as well as essential for those who already have earlier commemorative issues.
As with previous issues commemorating WWI, this issue is in support of the Royal British Legion. It is available as a set or in sheet format, in mint condition or cancelled to order (CTO), on a first day cover, and in a presentation pack.
ON SALE: Available now
WHERE TO BUY: www.iompost.com/stamps-coins/collection/battle-of-the-somme/ or www.iomstamps.com
PRICE: From £6.89 to £41.34
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: +44 (0) 1624 698 430
To see this article as it appeared in issue 69 of Military History Monthly, click here.
