Villages along The Sandstone Ridge are embracing the Armistice Centenary in the coming days.

Peckforton and Beeston, are holding a series of events to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the end of The Great War.

As villages and hamlets emptied of many of their able-bodied men, some residents sought to galvanise group action within their communities.

Peckforton Castle, for example, was transformed into an Auxiliary Hospital during The Great War, with Lady Wynford Tollemache appointed as 'Commandant'. Local men and women undertook a variety of jobs, not least as VADs (Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurses). In fact, Lady Tollemache wrote an individual comment on each VAD Record Card, creating a unique social history of the period.

Be sure to visit any of the 3 following events:

A GREAT WAR MEMORABILIA EXHIBITION which includes a multiplicity of artefacts from the period

• Location – Peckforton and Beeston Village Hall
• Dates - Sunday 4 November – Thursday 7 November
• Times - 10am-12noon and 2pm-4pm

WILL YOU REMEMBER THEM? – a specially commissioned play

• Location – Peckforton and Beeston Village Hall
• Date – Saturday 10 November
• Time - 6.30pm for 7pm start
• Price – £12.50 to include a delicious 2 course hot supper
• Contacts – Daphne (01829) 261078 or 07939 206781 to reserve your tickets, or, ring Penny (01829) 261068 or 07976 736521 to reserve your ticket

BEACON OF LIGHT CEREMONY- a spectacular evening of light and music

• Location - Beeston Castle (this is a free event)
• Date - Sunday 11 November
• Time – From 4.30pm (this is an outdoor event so come equipped with lanterns, headlights, blankets and fold up chairs)
• Refreshments – Hot Pot Supper and Soup will be available to purchase throughout

We look forward to seeing you.

Frederick Cayley Robinson painting by kind permission of Wellcome Library, London