Published: Monday 12th November 2018 | 3.24pm
Cannock Chase District played its part in the national Remembrance Day commemorations yesterday (11 November) with a Beacon Lighting outside St Luke's Church in Cannock (pictured here) - one of 1,000 beacons lit at different locations across the UK at 7pm last night to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1. Church bells rang out after the lighting.
Earlier, there was a service in the church as part of the official World War 1`The Battle's Over - A Nations' Tribute Ceremony` attended by hundreds of people including the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Ian Dudson, the Leader of Cannock Chase Council, George Adamson, and Cannock Chase MP Amanda Milling.
This was followed by a full house at the Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock to watch the specially commissioned play `The Last Day` written by Peter Sidgwick, which told the story of the last day of World War 1 leading up to the start of the Armistice at 11am on 11 November. The play was performed at Staffordshire University Academy in Hednesford the day before and will be performed in Rugeley's Rose Theatre on Saturday 17 November at 7.30pm.
`The Last Day Legacy` Great War Art Exhibition featuring artworks by schools and groups can be seen at Rugeley Leisure Centre during opening times until 30 November, and at Sure Store at Gallan Park in Cannock from 3 December to 7 January 2019 during store opening times.
There were Remembrance Day Services (and parades at some locations) during the morning of 11 November: at Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Brereton and Ravenhill, Chadsmoor, Cannock, Rugeley and Norton Canes. Bridgtown and Wimblebury held their services on 4 November.
These events marked the culmination of the District's commemorations of 100 years after the start and end of World War 1, commemorations which began in 2014.
They have involved staff and Members of Cannock Chase Council, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, the Prince of Wales Theatre, Staffordshire University Academy, Rugeley Rose Theatre, members of Cannock Chase Arts Council, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, The Birmingham Pals, the Royal British Legion and the Staffordshire Regimental Association. Numerous individuals - too many to mention here - have given their time and support during the commemorations to make the whole District proud of the role it played during the war.
The names of all those that gave their lives fighting for their country during the war can be found on war memorials across the District.