A HALL built in memory of soldiers from West Auckland and St Helen Auckland is set to host a fitting tribute for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Evenwood, Ramshaw and District History Society members are holding an exhibition at West Auckland Memorial Hall this week to mark the armistice centenary.
Dozens of photographs, documents and artefacts charting the war efforts of those from the Gaunless Valley will be on display from Wednesday, November 7, until Sunday, November 11. This will include information about St Helen’s Colliery Institute 1909-10 football team, the Eden family, the Monk family, the brewery and the West Auckland War Heroes Fund.
The exhibition comes on the back of the history group’s film In The Pink, which is being shown at the hall on Remembrance Sunday from 1pm.
Kevin Richardson, chairman of the history group, said: “While the whole project is about the Gaunless Valley, we also do specific exhibitions for specific areas. This exhibition could not be in a more appropriate place. You can only say so much in a film.”
The memorial hall, on Darlington Road, was built in memory of the men who were killed in the First World War. A committee was formed for the West Auckland War Heroes fund in 1918. Funds were raised over the years and the hall was built at a cost of £2,750. It was opened in February 1925.
Chairman of the memorial hall Dave Williamson said: “This place was put up as a monument for those who died in the war. It is still a vibrant place today and it is well used. It is still doing very well.”
The history group received £10,000 of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the In The Pink project. The film has already been shown in a number of villages.
Mr Richardson said: “We have had a very good response. It is not what you would call a happy subject. It gets people thinking. We have had tears but we have had applause too.”
As part of the project, members of the group have been going round schools talking to children about the First World War.
Mr Richardson added: “It is quite simply, lest we forget. It was a marvellous generation of people who fought through the war and everyone was affected. It was a generation that gave so much. I don’t think we should forget those men who gave that sacrifice.”
Copies of the In The Pink DVD and book will be on sale at the hall for £5.
For more information about the exhibition and its opening times, contact Mr Williamson on 07581 283896.
