Chorley Remembers in association with other local organisations is holding a series of events to commemorate 100 years since the start of the Battle of The Somme.
We welcome you to join us at as may of the events as you can over the coming week.
Thursday 30 June
Vigil at the Chorley Pals Memorial on Union Street in Chorley from 9.45 p.m. (sunset) to 10.00 p.m., led by Lindsay Hoyle MP.
Friday 1 July
Service and Act of Remembrance, 7.15am at the Chorley Pals Memorial
A Honour Guard from the Royal Army Medical Corps will be in attendance along with troops from the regional and local Army Reserve. The formal / ‘set’ Service will be conducted by Rev. Tim Wilby from St. George’s Church. The Last Post will be played at around 7.28am, and a whistle will sound at 7.30am (by the Town Hall clock) for a two minute’s silence, followed by reading out of the names of the Chorley Pals who were killed on the 1st July 1916.
Reveille will then be sounded followed by wreaths to be laid by the Mayor, Lindsay Hoyle MP, Chorley Pals Memorial Trustee, Relatives of Chorley Pals, Leader of Chorley Council, 3 Med Regt. RAMC, Cadets / other uniformed organisations, Chorley in The Great War Group and local High Schools. Standards Bearers are welcome to be in attendance. In essence, the event / service will be similar to the unveiling of the Memorial in February 2010.
‘Battle of the Somme’ film showing, 7.30pm at Chorley Little Theatre
Tickets are £4, available from Malcolm’s Musicland on 01257 264362 or via the Chorley Little Theatre website.
Saturday, 2nd July
Freedom of the Borough March and Astley Park War Memorial dedication, from 11.15am
The 3 Med Regiment RAMC are marching through Chorley Town Centre, followed by dedication of the Astley Park War Memorial.
Please contact Chorley Council on 01257 515151 for details.
Saturday, 2nd July
‘Pals on Parade’ Concert, 8.00pm at Chorley Town Hall
The Leyland Band will playing a variety of WW1 music in this Battle of The Somme Centenary concert.
Tickets are £10, and are available from the Chorley Pals Memorial on 0300 201 1916 of from the Leyland Band on 01772 813895.
This is a combined event between Chorley Council and South Ribble Borough Council, organised by Chorley Remembers.
Sunday, 3 July
‘Pals in the Park’ event, 11am - 4.30pm in Astley Park
A major Family event in Astley Park and Astley Hall, with military displays, bands, dance, WW1 re-enactors, a WW1 field hospital and a troop of horses from the Lancashire Hussars in WW1 rig, WW1 food and other related displays and stands.
Local organisations are invited to have a display/stand at the event - call 0300 201 1916 for details.
The event starts at 11am and finishes at 4.30pm, and entry is free.
The event is being organised and funded by the Chorley Pals Memorial Trust.
Sunday, 10th July
‘Searching for Matthew’, 7.30pm at St Michael’s High School, Chorley
An illustrated monologue based own a true story of woman’s search for her brother who was killed on the Somme in 1916.
Tickets are £3, available on the door or by calling 0300 201 1916.
The Chorley Remembers Experience
The Chorley Remembers exhibition in the Coach House at Astley Hall will re-open on the 1st July with a brand new and extensive ‘Somme Experience’ exhibition, including a re-vamped trench area, displays and artefacts.
This is being funded by the Chorley Pals Memorial Trust and will be in-situ until December 2016.
Entry is free. Full opening times will be published here shortly.
