Least We Forget

Armistice – Living with the Peace  

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of WW1, Durham Cathedral's Open Treasure exhibition explores what it meant for the people of Durham and North East England as World War I ended, soldiers came home, and peace was gradually restored.

On display until Saturday 2 February 2019. 

Dulce Et Decorum Est at Hamsterley Forest 

In this promenade theatre performance, Soldiers, Conscripts & Volunteers alike will be plucked from the rolling hills of Durham and plunged into the murk and stink of the First World War.

Talented local actors, artists and musicians will bring to life stories of WW1 during interactive walks in the immersive outdoor surroundings of Hamsterley Forest.

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 November, 4 & 7pm. 

Festival of Remembrance Concert 

Experience a moving concert to remember those who gave their lives for their country and today's serving soldiers in the magnificent surroundings of Durham Cathedral.

Performers include the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Band, 102 Battalion REME Pipe Band, Durham ACF Band and Bugles, Enter CIC, the George Colley Singers, Hartlepool Community Choir and the North East Hindu Cultural Trust. 

Saturday 10 November, 7pm. 

HOPE 

“I am awfully sorry to leave you like this, Dearie, buried away in a foreign land.” Those are the words of Acting Sergeant Joseph Furness, whose heart-breaking letter will feature within HOPE, a new sound and light installation in Durham City. 

HOPE commemorates the faith, humanity and resilience of the people of Durham during the First World War. The artwork will be located outside of the Gala Theatre in Durham City. The artwork features a large-scale text sculpture composed of hundreds of colour-changing LED tubes, along with speakers projecting voices retelling local people’s experiences of the war. 

Friday 9 to Thursday 15 November.

Remembrance at Ushaw – 100 Years On  

Join the remembrance celebrations at Ushaw College. 

Thursday 8 - Saturday 10 November (various times) 

• Afternoon Tea with poems and music from the First World War
• Mass in St Cuthbert's Chapel
• Showing of All Quite on the Western Front
• Service of Remembrance in St Cuthbert's Chapel with Crook & Weardale Choral Society

Remembrance Requiem 

'Classical music reflected and shaped attitudes to the conflict, and after, to its memory. The noise of war fell silent at 11am on 11 November. The silence of the armistice was soon replaced by something more decorous – music.'

In honor of the centenary of World War I, Enjoy an evening classical music at The Witham, Barnard Castle. Conductor Simon Dearsley presents Elgar’s ‘The Spirit of England’ and Haydn Paukenmess' Mass in the time of War.

Sunday 11 November, 7.30pm. 

Seaham Tommy 1101 

1101, known locally as Tommy can be found on the Durham Coast in the harbor town of Seaham.  Artist Ray Lonsdale designed the sculpture of a WW1 soldier, named 1101 to reflect the first minute of peace.

To commentate the end of WW1, alongside Tommy visitors will find Seaham's field of Remembrance, with almost 900 resin poppies, created by local artist Allan Scott each flower features the names of local serviceman, woman and munitions workers. 

Knitted poppies have also been added to Tommy, joining the red pebble display at the feet of the sculpture and shows crocheted flowers tears falling from the face of the sculpture. 

To Serve King and Country - Exploring the Role of Teesdale in the First World War. 

This poignant exhibition at The Bowes Museum, explores the role of Teesdale and its residents during WWI, bringing stories to life in a compassionate and informative display.

To serve King and Country will explore the lives, impact and aftermath of war on individuals and communities, those serving on the front line and those at home. Soldiers’ equipment, trench art, medals and other memorabilia will be on display alongside many personal artefacts including hard ‘tack’ biscuits, which survived the ravages of time.

On display until 3 March 2019.