A local Committee have formed to organise a series of events to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War 1.

“Malpas 100 Years On” is to take place in Malpas village on 9th 10th and 11th November 2018 marking the 100th Anniversary of The Armistice.

Aiming to rejuvenate an understanding of the impact of the Great War activities and events for Malpas 100 Years On will focus upon commemoration. A dedicated team are already planning educational resources to involve local schools in historic research of local heroes listed in Malpas Roll of Honour. A world war one trench network will be prepared and used to demonstrate the burdens placed upon our soldiers fighting for their country. A military field hospital will be set up.

Local and former residents are being encouraged to share family photographs and memorabilia from the period for a great exhibition. Schoolchildren are being asked to help in providing what will go on display by finding out what contribution, military or otherwise, their families made in the First World War, gathering photos and memorabilia and writing up their family histories both for display and for reading out in a live entertainment.

Shop windows, period costume and re-enactments are set to transform Malpas village back in time. Working alongside the one-hundred-year anniversary of the foundation of the RAF on 1st April, a launch event could take place as early as April and be repeated in June to inspire the search for first world war artefacts to display in November.

Aiming to appeal to all ages the wartime weekend is still evolving and presently includes a production of “The Armed Man” in St Oswald’s Church. Following a Parade of period vehicles, horses, carts, carriages and attired residents to the recreation ground, there will be re-enactments to portrait key war events and their impact on village life. Some refreshments served may even be available at 1918 prices.

The Remembrance Parade will march from the High Street to a service commencing in St. Oswald's Church at 11am on Sunday 11th November Sunday. Wreaths will be laid at the war memorial and with military precision, the retiring parade will be decommissioned on the High Street. Exhibitions will remain open until 5 pm.

The weekend will culminate as Malpas assemble to light a beacon outside St Oswald’s Church. The church choir will sing evening service. A canon gunshot will be fired and a bugler will sound the last post and the beacon will be lit.

As with all village events, the overhead costs are expensive (before we have put any activities/exhibitions on), these include Insurance, Road Closures, Room Hire, Toilets etc and due to very limited funds for our event we are asking for you assistance.

If you feel you can donate, we would be most grateful and in return, we can guarantee a brilliant village event to commemorate all that the young soldiers of World War 1 gave.