A CENTURY ago Manchester’s Heaton Park was a training ground for young army recruits from the North West preparing for the Battle of the Somme, one of the deadliest encounters of World War One resulting in 620,000 British and French casualties.
Northern England was the heartland of battalions throughout the First World War
On July 1, the centenary of the battle, Heaton Park (pictured), one of the largest public parks in Europe, will turn the clock back a century.
The park is to host Britain’s official national commemoration event to remember the Somme, government culture secretary John Whittingdale announced today.
Thousands of people – particularly from Manchester and Liverpool - are expected to converge on the park as part of a programme of free events.
The public are invited to participate and attend the following in Manchester:
- A Somme 100 parade of military and home front organisations will march through the centre of the city after lunch
- A Somme Remembrance service will be held at Manchester Cathedral at 3pm and will be shown live on big screens in the public areas nearby
- A free concert at Heaton Park at 7.30pm featuring a national children’s choir, film, dance and Manchester’s acclaimed Hallé Orchestra
Going over the top...Original bell tents used by the military in the war will form a backdrop as nurses and soldiers, all in period uniforms, take part in events.
An official service of commemoration will take place at Manchester Cathedral after a parade through the city of military and home front organisations.
Whittingdale said: “The Battle of the Somme resulted in one million casualties on the Western Front and touched the lives of millions of families at home.
“It is important we provide as many ways as we can for the public to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of our ancestors 100 years ago. We must never forget what happened at the Somme.”
The concert in the park will feature a national children’s choir, film, dance and a performance by the Manchester’s world famous Hallé Orchestra.
A spokesman for DCMS said: “Heaton Park is one of the largest municipal parks in Europe and in 1916 was a military training ground for many recruits before they went to the Somme.
“The evening event will feature a range of letters, poems and diary entries depicting the lives of those affected by the Somme.”
There will be an Experience Field at Heaton Park with more than 30 original bell tents housing First World War experts, activities and artefacts bringing to life stories of nurses, soldiers and factory workers from the Home and Western Fronts.
Cllr Sue Murphy, Manchester’s deputy leader, said: “Manchester is honoured to be hosting this important commemoration event on behalf of the nation. Like the rest of the country we fully acknowledge the debt we owe to those who fought for us at the Somme and are humbled still by their actions.
“Northern England was the heartland of battalions throughout the First World War and was also at the centre of the huge industrial effort for the Somme. It’s therefore fitting that the focal point of remembrance and opportunities for people to learn about and reflect further on the enormity of the events at the Somme should be in our city.”
The battle started around 7.30am on July 1 1916, and as British soldiers walked towards enemy lines, German machine guns started and the slaughter began, leading to 60,000 British casualties on the first day alone. The battle lasted until November 2016.
The public is invited to sign up for free tickets to the evening concert, which is suitable for all age groups. Tickets can be booked at www.quaytickets.com/sommeheatonpark
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