BELLS, bunting, balloons and yarn bombing could all play a part in events in Barnard Castle to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.
Living history vignettes and choir performances are also being considered for Remembrance Sunday, which this year falls on November 11, exactly 100 years since the guns fell silent.
Barnard Castle Town Council convened a project meeting involving other organisations with an interest in the centenary, including St Mary’s Parish Church, the Friends of The Bowes Museum, the museum’s First World War project, Barnard Castle School, English Heritage and the Masonic Hall.
The town council’s partnership committee was told the idea was to pool ideas and avoid any clash of events on November 11 during the period from the end of the Remembrance Day parade to the lighting of a beacon in the grounds of the castle at 7pm.
Cllr Judi Sutherland, committee chairwoman, sad: “We can fill that space as we wish.
“We are aware of the First World War exhibition at the museum and the Masonic Hall will be open for refreshments.”
Councillors were told other ideas included knitted poppies around the town council’s Woodleigh headquarters and short monologues based on the experiences of people who had lived through the Great War.
Matthew Read, director of the museum’s Centre for Art, Craft and Design, was asked for his thoughts. He suggested those involved should embrace symbols of hope for the future, given that November 11 marked the end of the bloodshed and people were looking forward. He also suggested some sort of trail could be developed.
“People love a trail and if it is a trail, it ties the town together,” he added.
Cllr Sutherland said she had already begun work on writing monologues.
Mr Read suggested these vignettes could be taken out and performed in places such as the town’s pubs.
“At first, people are quite shocked by it, but it’s much more engaging and goes down really well.”
Cllr Sutherland said all ideas would be gratefully received and she would circulate details to committee members ahead of their June meeting.
In the meantime, the committee agreed to buy a “Silent Soldier” – a 5ft three-dimensional silhouette of a British Tommy which is weatherproof and freestanding.
There was some question of what the council might do with it, but Cllr Ian Kirkbride responded: “It can be something quite poignant in Amen Corner.
“That corner by the church is very prominent and highly visible.”
