LEST WE FORGET…
Towns and villages across the UK have supported the poignant ‘There But Not There’ campaign – and here in the Ribble Valley is no exception
Communities throughout the Ribble Valley have supported the national ‘There But Not There’ campaign created to commemorate those lost in the First World War which ended 100 years ago, at 11am on 11th November 1918.
As well as marking this historic event, the campaign aims to raise more than £15 million for armed forces and mental health charities through the sale of specially created ‘There But Not There’ silhouette statues, known as Tommies. These thought-provoking commemorative artworks have significantly contributed to the £15 million target.
Lancashire was the very first county partner to support the campaign and ‘Tommies’ have been installed throughout the region including St Peter’s Church Stonyhurst, Great Mitton Hall and in Waddington for the national centenary commemorations.
In Waddington local businesses and organisations have contributed to 12 Tommies. Eleven names feature on the village cenotaph – the extra installation is in recognition of a soldier who returned home to Waddington from the war but later died as a result of his injuries.
While all the Waddington Tommies are made of transparent acrylic, some, including the one at Stonyhurst, are crafted out of metal.
Cheryl Hook of Melt in Waddington, who helped co-ordinate the ‘There But Not There’ project in the village, said: “Everyone has been fantastic in supporting this project. We have such a close knit community here – it was a collective yes from all those approached that helped make it happen.”
Those involved in the Waddington project included St Helen’s Church, the Methodist Church, the Higher Buck, the Lower Buck, the Waddington Arms, the Social Club, Waddington Parish Council, Waddington Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, Waddington WI and Melt.
Soldiers, each with their own individual biographies, have been placed at strategic locations throughout the village where visitors can see the transparent figures sitting on benches. “They are a really poignant reminder of those who did not come back from the war,” adds Cheryl. “Everyone in the village really backed this idea and pledged their support.”
Appealing for county-wide support, Lancashire’s High Sheriff, Tony Attard OBE DL added: “This centenary is such a landmark event for the country, for those who have been and continue to be affected by conflict across the world.
“We cannot and will not forget those that gave their lives to protect this country and I know the people of Lancashire feel that very strongly.”
“The ‘There But Not There’ Tommies were created to act as reminders in every day locations, in our workplaces and places of worship that someone has been missing from our lives, because of their great sacrifice.”
therebutnotthere.org.uk
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