A number of events are planned to mark the end of the First World War in 2018. If you are planning an event, please let us know about it so that we can publicise it here.
Events in 2018
Oldham Remembers 100 Years
Armistice Celebration
Friday 2 November, 7.30pm
Chadderton Together, in collaboration with Chadderton Historical Society, presents an evening of entertainment at Chadderton Town Hall. There will be food, entertainment and a raffle. A bar will also be available.
Tickets are £20 and include supper.
All proceeds will go to the Chadderton Heritage Fund.
For tickets and more information, visit www.chaddertontogether.co.uk
Stories of Sacrifice
Monday 5 November – Saturday 1 December
Catch this special touring version of the British Muslim Heritage Centre’s award-winning exhibition dedicated to the bravery and sacrifice of Muslim soldiers who fought for Britain in the First World War at Gallery Oldham.
T: 0161 770 4653
Gallery Oldham, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL
Peace and Plenty? Oldham and the First World War
Until 12 January
As the war drew to a close what had been the experiences on the home front for the people of Oldham? This exhibition revisits their everyday lives, losses and achievements using the Gallery’s’ extensive collections.
T: 0161 770 4653
Gallery 3, Gallery Oldham, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL
Festival of Remembrance
Friday 9 November, from 6.15pm, £5
Commemorate and honour all those who lost their lives in conflicts and listen to performances from Boarshurst Silver Band. Medals may be worn.
To book, call 0161 770 4083 or pay on the door on the night.
The Queen Elizabeth Hall, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1NL
Church’s silhouette homage: to the brave soldiers who never came home
Saturday 10 November, 10am–4pm
Ten life-size silhouettes will offer a poignant reminder of those lost in the First World War. Red and white poppies will also be on display.
T: 0161 770 8416
Christ Church Friezland, Church Road, Friezland, Oldham, OL3 7LQ
District Remembrance Services – Sunday 11 November
Oldham
A procession will assemble at New Radcliffe Street at 10.20am and proceed to the War Memorial at 10.30am. The service will commence at 10.50am.
Oldham War Memorial, Oldham (opposite the Old Town Hall).
Chadderton
A procession will assemble at the Chadderton Reform Club, Middleton Road, Chadderton at 10am and proceed to the War Memorial at 10.30am. The service will take place at 10.55am.
War Memorial in the Old Town Hall Gardens, Middleton Road, OL9 6PY
Crompton
A procession will assemble at the Royal British Legion Club, Newtown Street, Shaw, at 10.30am proceeding to the War Memorial at 10.40am. The service will take place at 10.55am.
Crompton War Memorial, Oldham, OL2 8RQ
Failsworth
The parade will assemble at the Failsworth Health Centre at 10.10am proceeding to the War Memorial at 10.30am prompt. The service will take place at 10.55am.
War Memorial, Oldham Road, Failsworth
Lees
A procession will assemble at Thomas Street at 10.10am prior to proceeding to the War Memorial. The service will take place at 10.30am.
Lees War Memorial, Thomas Street, Lees
Royton
Uniformed services to assemble at the rear of the Co-op at 10.40am prompt and march to the memorial at 10.50am.
Royton Park, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6LR
Bardsley
Meeting at Byrth Road, near Holy Trinity Church at 10.45am, procession will commence at 10.50am. Service to take place just before 11am at Bardsley War Memorial.
Bardsley War Memorial, Ashton Road, Bardsley
Saddleworth
Monday 5 November
A service will commence at 7.15pm at St. Chad’s Memorial, Uppermill.
Sunday 11 November
A service will take place at Pots and Pans from 10.55am onwards.
Waterhead
At 10.50am the Vicar of Waterhead and councillors serving in the Waterhead Ward will assemble around the War Memorial.
Waterhead War Memorial, Huddersfield Road, Oldham, OL4 2HT
A Nation’s Tribute
Sunday 11 November, 7pm
A special service to commemorate the soldiers lost during World War One. There will be a Beacon Lighting Ceremony followed by a service with The Royal British Legion and other dignitaries.
Oldham Parish Church, Rock Street, Oldham, OL1 3UH
Commemoration of the Centenary of the Armistice
Sunday 25 November, 2pm
Laying of the Standard 10th Manchester Regiment and the Dedication of the New Memorial.
Oldham Parish Church, Rock Street, Oldham, OL1 3UH
World War One 100 Pop up Exhibition
Until Monday 12 November, 9am–5pm
Explore Oldham Archives’ new display, ‘Oldham during the First World War’, find out more about Oldham soldiers, fill in the Book of Remembrance and pin photos of your ancestors to the photo board. The Royal British Legion will also be selling poppies to raise money.
T: 0161 770 4654
Unit 204 (opposite the Town Centre Team Office), Tommyfield Market Hall, Albion Street Oldham, OL1 3BG
NEWS
There was a service of Remembrance at the Kings Baptist Church in Cleethorpes, where the congregation had put together an exhibition of the night o the 1 April. The names of the Oldham soldiers who died were read out, with information given to them from Dorothy Bintley.
There were six people from Oldham there, and there was tea and cake.
One of the members of the congregation, David, went to the church during the night and stood there at the time the bomb dropped. He said it was very atmospheric with the mist rolling in from the sea.
On the Sunday there were three wreath laying ceremonies attended by the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham.
The first was the memorial to the 3rd Manchester’s, followed by the second at the CWGC memorial.
The third was at the Memorial Arch on the sea front where there were many plaques for different groups and regiments.
COMMEMORATE VJ (VICTORY OVER JAPAN) DAY, 15 AUGUST – 2 SEPTEMBER
On August 14, 1945, it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War Two.
Since then, both August 14 and August 15 have been known as “Victory over Japan Day,” or simply “V-J Day.” The term has also been used for September 2, 1945, when Japan’s formal surrender took place aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay.
We’re encouraging everyone to remember VJ Day (Victory in Japan Day) from 15 August to 2 September.
We would like residents and communities to come together and organise afternoon teas, themed events or story swapping sessions, from 15 August to 2 September. These could be held anywhere, in your house, garden or local community centre.
This is part of the ‘Oldham Remembers’ project that Oldham Council are running to show their commitment to commemorating World War One and World War Two.
Residents can advertise their own events and a template for a poster can be found on this website by visiting the link: www.oldhamremembers.org.uk/get-involved/
Oldham Council will assist with advertising the events and all the information will be uploaded to this website.
If you would like to host an event please let us know by emailing oldhamremembers@oldham.gov.uk or by calling 0161 770 3297
A HISTORY TO BE PROUD OF
Oldham Remembers is launching a new project – ‘A History to Be Proud Of’ – and we want residents to be part of it.
We want local people to share stories about how their relatives fought for freedom in the World Wars, even though they didn’t hail from these shores.
Many of you will have ancestors from the West Indies, Africa, Europe, Australia, America and beyond who have told you about their experiences.
The Oldham Remembers team is currently researching and collecting stories but we need help from people across the borough to come forward with their own.
This new project is not just to remember, but to highlight how people from different communities ‘did their bit’.
Once all the stories are collected they will be organized and shared with Oldham.
For more information or if you have a story to share please contact oldhamremembers@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 3297
RESOURCES:
World War 1: Changing Faces of Heroism University of Leeds 3 Week Course
Learn how the war moved everyone away from traditional views of heroism and created new kinds of heroes and heroines.
Did World War 1 make heroism meaningless or was it the conflict that gave it the most meaning?
This course will help you explore, discuss and challenge the ways in which World War 1 heroism has been remembered. Experts will take you through the changing British, French and German views of heroism and discuss important similarities and differences.
Watch a short trailer here:
To find out more about the course visit: www.futurelearn.com/courses/ww1-heroism
EXHIBITIONS:
‘In Memoriam’ – First World War Exhibitions
Visit the Saddleworth Museum for the new display ‘In Memoriam’. The exhibition looks at the men and women of Saddleworth who served during World War One.
The exhibition, located on the first floor of the museum, includes a ‘dugout’, a display case of objects, an ephemera display and a noticeboard with the opportunity for people to remember those relatives who served or were killed.
Saddleworth Museum Saddleworth, High St, Uppermill, Oldham OL3 6HS
For more information call 01457 874093 or visit www.saddleworthmuseum.co.uk