THE IMPACT of two world wars on the Washburn Valley will be the focus of a new exhibition and events programme.

The display, timed to tie in with the centenary of the November 11, 1918 Armistice that brought the First World War to an end, will open at the Washburn Heritage Centre on Friday, October 5.

It will be on show at the Fewston venue until January 26, 2019, and supported by a variety of war-related talks, walks, films and more.

A Washburn Heritage Centre spokeswoman said: “War and the Washburn Valley will showcase aspects of both world wars and other related topics, both serious and light hearted.

“The exhibition in the centre will focus on men from the Washburn valley who gave their lives in the two world wars and whose names are recorded on the war memorial in Fewston churchyard.

“The stories of the lives of each of the eleven men who died in the First World War and the four men who died in the Second will be told in the exhibition.

“The programme of events, meanwhile includes talks, suppers, visits, walks and workshops as well as a whist drive - like those held regularly in Fewston during the war to raise money for comforts for the troops.

“Highlights will include a coach trip to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, a showing of oral history films featuring local people and their memories of the war, and a wartime supper and singalong.”

Many of the events will have a strong local focus including, on Thursday, November 8, a presentation by author John Sheehan entitled From Strawberry Dale to Passchendaele.

Mr Sheehan will recount the experiences of the Harrogate Battalion from the battles of the Somme and Passchendaele through to the end of the First World War, illustrating his talk with photographs and maps.

Before that, on Wednesday, October 10, poetry fans can hear and discuss the works of Wilfred Owen with Ted Flexman, who will also describe the poet’s time in Ripon and share extracts from his postcards and letters home.

And on Friday, November 9 - from 7pm - the Pinsuti Chamber Choir will perform at a special WW1 Centenary Commemoration, featuring poems and music, at the Church of St Michael and St Lawrence.

Tickets from the concert cost £8, which includes light refreshments, and are available from John Charman on (01943) 466712 with profits going to Help

for Heroes and Combat Stress.

The War and Washburn Valley programme also includes several trips including visits to the Army Foundation College at Harrogate.

For more details visit www.washburnvalley.org .