THE Countdown to Peace initiative in Bradford on Avon has received a £9,500 grant from the National Lottery Fund.

It will enable organisers to lay on an extensive programme of events and activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

They will take place over the first ten days of November, leading up to the Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday services on November 11.

Cllr Simon McNeill-Ritchie, who has been leading the Countdown to Peace programme, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this support.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, we are now able to stage a full programme of exciting events and exhibitions that will give local people of all ages the opportunity to discover more about the lives of their predecessors, and to enable the community of Bradford on Avon to mark together the centenary of the Armistice that ended WW1.”

The grant was given through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War Then and Now programme to support Countdown to Peace, which is being organised by Bradford on Avon Town Council and local community groups.

It will enable local people and the town’s more than 600 children from six schools in Bradford on Avon, Winsley, Holt and West Ashton to gain a better understanding of life both on the Western Front and at home 100 years ago.

The programme includes a full-size trench and replica Mk4 tank in the Tithe Barn, an exhibition in the West Barn about the Avoncliff Red Cross Hospital, and a symposium with leading historians, poetry readings and a screening of Journey’s End in St Margaret’s Hall.

There will be hosted tours of Alex Moulton’s old home, The Hall, and musical performances at various venues.

Countdown to Peace is also supporting three new publications about the First World War and Bradford on Avon and a short film about the Avon Rubber workers. For more information, log on to bradfordonavontowncouncil.gov.uk/countdown-to-peace/