STRINGS of 184 hand-crafted paper doves across one of Bradford on Avon’s historic shopping streets are a dramatic symbol of peace.

The Flight of the Fallen commemorates each of the men from Bradford on Avon who failed to come home from the First World War.

They will be displayed in The Shambles until Monday, November 12 as the town marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

They are part of a Countdown to Peace programme of more than 40 events and activities which have been taking place in the ten days running up to the Remembrance Day service on Sunday (November 11).

Countdown to Peace has been spearheaded by Cllr Simon McNeill-Ritchie, of Bradford on Avon Town Council, which is sponsoring the programme of events, helped by local community groups.

The programme was awarded a £9,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund through its First World War ‘Then and Now’ programme.

Cllr Ritchie said: “We’re only halfway through the programme but the response so far has been fantastic.

“Attendance at many of the events has been good and we’re expecting between 2,000 and 3,000 people to visit our replica WW1 trench system and tank in the Tithe Barn.”

The programme features a wide range of events and activities, including ukulele music, a choir and organ recital, folk night, poetry, exhibitions, a book launch, plays and craft workshops.

It also featured a screening of the film Journey’s End, based on R C Sherriff’s classic stage play set in the front-line trenches.

Yesterday (Thursday, Nov 8), The Poet’s War, with readings of First World War poetry, took place at St Margaret’s Hall.

Today, (Friday Nov 9) there is an organ recital and choir at Holy Trinity Church from 7.30pm. Entry is free.

Also today, there is a First World War-themed poetry open mic night with guest poet Martin Malone at the Coach House at The Swan, from 7.30pm. Entry is £4 on door.

There is also a folk night with First World War songs at Gilou’s in The Shambles, tonight (Nov 9) from 8-11pm. Entry is free.

On Saturday (Nov 10), there is a free poppy and heart craft workshop at St Margaret’s Hall from 11am to noon.

Also on Saturday, there is a concert, Everyone Sang - From Remembrance to Hope, at Holy Trinity Church, from 3-5pm. Tickets £5 (U12s free) from the Wiltshire Music Centre.

On Saturday evening, there is a Battlefield Archaeology talk by Richard Osgood, the MoD’s head of archaeology, at The Priory Barn. Tickets are £5 on the door.

On Sunday at noon, Bradford on Avon’s Mayor, Cllr Alex Kay, will plant a single English oak tree at Barton Farm Country Park, to commemorate all those men from the town who died in the First World War.

The English Touring Opera is performing St Matthew Passion at the Wiltshire Music Centre on Sunday at 7.30pm. Tickets £22, U16s/concessions £11.

Free exhibitions are taking place at the Bradford on Avon Library meeting room and the Library foyer, the Tithe Barn and the West Barn.