IN the summer of 1914 the dark cloud of war fell over Europe.
Despite the belief that it would be “all over by Christmas” the First World or Great War destroyed lives until November 1918 and beyond.
Thurrock Council is planning and co-ordinating a series of events to mark the centenary of those years and local communities are being encouraged to share their ideas and get involved.
A cross-party working group of councillors is overseeing the programme which will include acts of remembrance, cultural initiatives and community events.
Chair of the group, Cllr Lynn Worrall, portfolio holder for communities, said: “There is cross-party support for appropriately commemorating the First World War and remembering both Thurrock’s role in it and how the Great War affected our borough.
“Some events will be co-ordinated through the council, but we really want to hear from local residents, organisations, schools, businesses and organisations supporting the armed forces and veterans for their ideas.
“We plan to promote a wide-ranging programme of events and would like to make links across the borough so activities can be co-ordinated as well as looking at joint-funding opportunities.”
The type of events discussed by the group so far includes creating a blog to share memories; a civic event to mark the start of The Great War; co-ordinated visits with heritage sites including Coalhouse Fort, Tilbury Fort and Purfleet Heritage Centre; and a touring exhibition to help share learning about how the war affected Thurrock.
The group is keen to consider innovative and more ambitious opportunities but is keen to do so with the input of others.
Jonathan Catton, the council’s heritage and museum o0fficer said: “This was a terrible war and we shall be exploring the aftermath of servicemen returning with both mental and physical disability as well as the effect on families who lost loved ones.
“Thurrock Museum is actively collecting artefacts and histories of local people affected by the war and specially the role of local industry and Tilbury Docks in war supply and logistics.”
The plan is to help to create an exhibition in Thurrock Museum which will run for at least five years.
