An information board located outside Wilmslow Library has been transformed into a World War One centenary noticeboard, which over the next four years will feature regularly updated displays about local and national events which occurred 100 years ago.
Wilmslow Historical Society has been collating information from local residents and other sources and is preparing each month's display for Wilmslow Town Council's noticeboard.
Local residents are encouraged to take a little time out each month to visit the noticeboard and find out more about how the war affected Wilmslow and particularly where locals were posted during the War, which actions they were fighting in and where casualties were suffered.
Wilmslow Town Council formed a Working Group a few months ago to consider how Wilmslow should commemorate the centenary of World War One and the noticeboard is just one of a number of events and initiatives which will take place over the next four years.
Other members of the group include Adam Gaskarth Head of History at Wilmslow High School, Mavis Timson and Susan Cooper of Wilmslow Historical Society, Emily Morrey of Wilmslow Library, Ian Cole of Wilmslow Green Room, Rev Paul Smith of St Bartholomew's Church, Mrs Khumi Burton of the Royal British Legion, Cllr Anthony Harrison of Handforth Parish Council and Cllr John Swinborne of Styal Parish Council.
Cllr Martin Watkins commented "The Town Council formed a working group made up of representatives from local organisations to co-ordinate Wilmslow's commemoration of WW1 over the coming four years. We are working on a number of initiatives and will publish details of these in due course. In the meantime I encourage as many of Wilmslow's residents as possible, both young and old, to visit the noticeboard and just take a few minutes to reflect on how the Wilmslow of 100 years ago was affected by world events."
Mavis Timson of Wilmslow Historical Society added "Many people have been contacting me with information about their friends and relatives and how they were affected by WW1, however I would still like to encourage people with such stories to please get in touch with me on 01625 527766."
The Mayor of Cheshire East, Cllr Wesley Fitzgerald visited the noticeboard on Thursday 31st July to meet with members of the working group, view the information and reflect on the events of 100 years ago.
Photo 1: The Mayor and Mayoress of Cheshire East, Cllr Wesley Fitzgerald & Joan Fitzgerald, Cllr Martin Watkins, Chairman of Wilmslow Town Council, Susan Cooper of Wilmslow Historical Society, Mrs Khumi Burton of the Royal British Legion, Cllr Adrian Bradley of Wilmslow Town Council, Mr Ian Cole of Wilmslow Green Room and Cllr Anthony Harrison of Handforth Parish Council.
Photo 2: Cllr Martin Watkins, Chairman of Wilmslow Town Council, Susan Cooper and Mavis Timson of Wilmslow Historical Society, Emily Morrey of Wilmslow Library and Cllr Adrian Bradley of Wilmslow Town Council.
