PLANS are beginning to take shape as Chippenham Museum and Chippenham Town Council have hopes of getting the community to come together to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

The town council and Chippenham Museum will be working together to produce a First World War tapestry which will be designed by schools and groups within the community to show the history of the war, and the roles the town had to play.

The idea for a tapestry was the brainchild of councillors Peter and Teresa Hutton last November.

Cllr Peter Hutton, said: “I, along with my wife Teresa, took a proposal to the town council of a tapestry marking 100 years since the ending of the First World War, and they have supported it in principal, and the museum will be organising it.

“I felt it would be a fitting occasion to mark the 100 years. Everyone has different views on the world wars, but I thought it was a good way to get the schools and community to get involved and show their own interpretations of the war.”

Andrew Skelton, learning and outreach officer at Chippenham Museum, is looking forward to working with the community groups and schools to design the tapestry.

He said: “Each school and group will be asked to design a tapestry square which we will commission someone to put into the embroidered tapestry.

“It should be fantastic thing in commemoration of the sacrifices soldiers made and the contribution the town made.

“I will be going to schools and telling them about the stories of Chippenham throughout the Great War and serving soldiers.

“We are looking to find stories and bring them together.”

Both Cllr Hutton and Mr Skelton hope to get the whole community involved and to have the tapestry completed to be part of a First World War exhibition in time for Armistice Day later this year.