Remembering GreatWar in Ballymoney

The Great War Commemoration event team is now gearing up to host one of the biggest events to hit the town over the weekend of 1st/2nd August.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jul 2014, 13:15 BST
Mayor John Finlay and Her Majestys Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Joan Christie, OBE, joined representatives from the local Cultural and Heritage Society and the Royal British Legion last Thursday at Councils Civic Headquarters to launch the commemorative event.inbm30-14sMayor John Finlay and Her Majestys Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Joan Christie, OBE, joined representatives from the local Cultural and Heritage Society and the Royal British Legion last Thursday at Councils Civic Headquarters to launch the commemorative event.inbm30-14s
Mayor John Finlay and Her Majestys Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Joan Christie, OBE, joined representatives from the local Cultural and Heritage Society and the Royal British Legion last Thursday at Councils Civic Headquarters to launch the commemorative event.inbm30-14s

The event has been promoted throughout the Province and preparations are in hand to receive the influx of visitors expected.

SHOWGROUNDS:

The event to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1 kicks off in Ballymoney Showgrounds on Friday 1st at 9.00 a.m. and runs through to 9.00 p.m.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A nostalgic dance in the Royal British Legion Club 9 pm – late on the Friday evening brings the curtain down on Friday’s activities. On Saturday, the Showgrounds event continues from 9 .00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

On display is a wealth of first world war military vehicles in addition to military displays featuring Irish Regiments of the Great War, Navy Army & Air Force Military stands, childrens activity area and you can meet and greet Chelsea Pensioners. There will be Air Soft Military Re-enactments at 4 pm, 7 pm and 9 pm.

“War Years Remembered” Ballyclare-based history organization brings to the showgrounds a magnificient wartime backdrop with mounted horse re-enactments.

The public will get a sense of the life and times of war, with re-enactments showing soldiers in the trenches, a field hospital, war-time kitchen and wartime ladies on bicycles.

TOWN CENTRE ACTIVITIES

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Chamber of Commerce has encouraged local businesses to get nostalgic with themed window displays and some family fun on Friday from 12 – 4 pm with Cartoon Characters, face painting and balloon modeling with a background of wartime music. Nurses and Soldiers in WWI uniforms and Chelsea Pensioners will also mingle among shoppers in town on Friday. On Saturday town shoppers will be entertained at High Street from 12.45 – 1.15 by the NI Cadet Band, A military marching display by WW1 Soldiers and a First World War Play. The activities will also be performed at Castlecroft from 2.00 p.m. – 2.45 p.m.

Visitors to the town during August will also have the opportunity to view an exhibition on WWI at Ballymoney Museum and a touring exhibition by Causeway and Mid Antrim Museum Services, funded by Peace III.

COMMEMORATION

On Saturday, prior to a Memorial Service at the Showgrounds to remember the fallen, there will be a wreath laying ceremony at Ballymoney Cenotaph at 2.00 p.m.

The parade will form up at 2.45 p.m. at the Old Coleraine Road, moving off at 3.00 pm sharp, to make its way to the Showgrounds for the Commemorative Service at 3.30 p.m. The Service will be conducted by Chancellor Robin Lavery, TD, BA, Dip.Th. Following the service there will be a parade of the town, led by the Standards of the Royal British Legion. The parade will move from The Showgrounds, at 4.15 p.m. via North Road, High Street, Meetinghouse Street, Queen Street, Church Street, High Street, Townhead Street, dispersing at North Road.

Related topics:ProvinceSoldiers