About 1,200 Chester people who died in the First World War will be remembered in a special tribute at Chester Castle.
Their names will be projected on to the medieval walls of the castle – a Cheshire Regiment base at the time – every night over the weekend of the November 9-11 to mark the centenary of the Armistice.
This is an informal event organised by the Chester Civic Trust and City of Chester MP Chris Matheson.
The event has been made possible by the generous support of local businesses and organisations, who have donated time, equipment, facilities and expertise as a mark of respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Organisers hope people will take the time to attend the event, pay their respects to the people named on the Roll of Honour, and visit the First World War exhibition in the nearby Military Museum.
People are invited to watch a 30-minute video projected on to the walls as the list of names unfolds. It will feature images of Chester men in the trenches and other relevant scenes.
During the event, the café on the little roddee will be open for the purchase of hot drinks etc. They also have toilets.
Seating has been arranged in the University Car Park, for those who might find standing for the full video tiring.
Friday 9th November
Afternoon and evening – the bells of Chester’s churches will toll 1120 times, once for every person on our roll of honour, a list of soldiers from Chester killed in World War 1.
5.00 pm until 7.00pm. The names of those on the roll of honour will be projected onto the medieval walls of Chester Castle. The video lasts approximately 40 minutes and will be shown three times.
7.00pm Solo Piper Shonagh Duncan will play the Piper’s Lament
The Last Post will be played
The evening will end by 7.30pm
There will be a collection for the Royal British Legion, and poppies will be on sale.
Hot drinks will be available for purchase
Saturday 10th November
The bells of Chester Cathedral will toll all day, visitors to the bell tower are welcome.
6.00 – 8.00pm Cheshire Military Museum will open its doors for the evening, with free entry (donations welcome!) You can visit the museum and also watch the video.
The video will be played on the castle walls from 6.00 – 8.00
At 7.20 pm approx (for the last showing of the video) the names of Chester’s fallen will be read out.whilst they are projected Readiers include Chris Matheson MP and Sam Dixon, councillor for Chester City and Leader of the Cheshire West and Chester Council
8.00 pm The Last Post will be played
There will be a collection for the Royal British Legion, and poppies will be on sale
Hot drinks will be available for purchase
Sunday 11th November
There will be various events and services across the city.
There will be bell ringing at 12.30 to celebrate the Peace.
6.00 – 8.30pm The video will play on the Castle walls.
At 8.30 the Last Post will be played
We will finish the evening by looking to the future, with children from a local school singing songs
At 8.35 there will be a short concert from two choirs
St Werburgh’s primary
Chester Operatic Society
A final communal rendition of a song sung by the men in trenches to keep their spirits up (words projected on the Castle)
There will be a collection for the Royal British Legion, and poppies will be on sale
Hot Drinks will be available for purchase.
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