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This is a big event in every sense, and Liverpool City Council's Culture Liverpool team want to make sure as many people as possible get involved in the run up, during and after the show.

 

They are working in partnership with other council teams and external organisations to deliver an education and participation programme that aims to bring together the entire city in memory of the events which took place between 1914 and 1918.

 

If you are planning on organising an event to coincide with the commemorations, please download the form and email it back to us.    

The recruitment of Liverpool's Pals Battalion

It is one hundred years since the outbreak of WW1, this July as part of the Giant Spectatcular volunteers took to Liverpool’s streets to recreate our cites history. 
By the 5th September 1914, 3,000 men had been recruited, many of them white-collar workers; bank clerks, office workers and even wealthy industrialists, men who heard Lord Derby’s rousing speech and gladly signed their freedoms away for the glory of their city and country. To recreate this incredible moment Culture Liverpool rallied local volunteers to portray these men in the final parade. Fifty-three men came forward giving their time to learn the basics of marching with soldiers from the Pals Memorial Fund. On Sunday 27th July 2014, the battalion of volunteers marched through the city dressed in authentic clothes of the period led by flags produced by Liverpool’s Ensign flags. They symbolised the great sacrifice made by the people of Liverpool.
For many members of the audience the Pals Battalion were a very important part of the parade.
 Beth Dorrington 'Brought home the real message of the weekend too......very poignant.'
 Rachel Cooper 'They made me very emotional when they marched past. Well done.'
 Julie Edwards 'Wonderful, added a real poignancy to the memory of the Liverpool Pals.'

Our 2014 Pal volunteers were:
 Adam Gilbert, Adam Conroy, Adam Ridges, Alan Jones, Alexander Astor, Andrew Birchall, Andrew James Corlett, Andrew Richard Middleton, Ben Astor, Ben McLachlan, Benjamin Francis Braithwaite, Carl Roberts, Carl Culling, Carl McFarlane, Charlie Sharples, Chris Marsland, Conor Cull, David Kirk, David Sandland, Declan Carr, Eddy Weston, Graham Rowland, Iain Barr, Ifan James, James  Burns, James Stephen Townson, Jeff Griffiths, Jim Forshaw, John Fisher, John Wiggins, John Davis Cotham, John James Reynold, John Joseph Cheetham, Jonathan Addy, Jonathan Brown, Joseph Harmon, Karl Longworth, Kieran Kidd, Liam Simister, Mark Cushing, Mark Sweet, Martin Murphy, Matthew Blower, Michael Christopher Meaney, Mike Harrison, Paul Davis Argent, Peter Heney, Peter Michael O'Regan, Rick Lee, Robert Duffey, Ron Collinson, Ronan Donohoe, Saul Murphy, Simon Rex Garland, Stephen Turner, William Beckett Longworth
Our volunteers said
'I'm sure lots of the pals will mail back saying what a fantastic experience this was from the rehearsals to the actual day. Although learning the drill took some time, we had such a laugh doing so. It is something I will always remember which was rounded off with the open top bus back that was an incredible experience.'
Mike Harrison
'So glad to have met you and all the guys and I'm actually getting quite teary eyed at the moment looking at those pictures and recalling all those great memories! Sometimes it feels like it was all a dream, but the photos and stories I hear from the public every day remind me that we were part of something massive that brought people together from all ages, areas & backgrounds and made them feel good.'
Ronan Donohoe
'I'm just writing to say thank you for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing project! It was one of the best times ive had and my 10 month old baby son Austin was in awe at the show! I would most certainly sign up for something like this again it was a one off amazing time i had and met so many lovely people both from your production people and from Liverpool.'
Peter Heney