To mark 100 years since the end of the First World War, Keele University will be hosting a programme of events to commemorate the Centenary this autumn. 

The two-week programme of events, coordinated by Keele Communities Together, includes public lectures, poetry readings, music concerts and a performance of The Accrington Pals by Keele’s Drama Society.

Dr Anne Loweth, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Students at Keele University explains:

“Commemorating the World War One centenary will provide an opportunity for our community to come together to share in the remembrance of those lost, and reflection on the colossal impact of the Great War on individuals and society, bringing about changes that still resonant through families and society today. We are offering a range of events across October and November that we hope will appeal to all our students, staff and local community.”

Event details:

30 October 2018
Public Lecture - Free to attend
Professor Rob Kirby: Medical and surgical advances in the Great War.

Professor Robert Kirby, Professor of Clinical Education and Surgery at Keele University School of Medicine, will be working with Major General Norman Kirby, OBE, late Director of Army Surgery to produce a talk about the medical aspects of the First World War. The talk will discuss the development of new techniques and different ways of working to deal with the large numbers of wounded soldiers, and the efforts to keep the troops in as healthy a state as possible in the trenches. The lessons learnt had benefits for population health, and improvements in medical and surgical treatment benefited civilians as well as the armed forces.

For more information and to register for free tickets visit the Arts Keele website.

5 November 2018
Poetry Reading - Free to attend
World War One Poetry - Keele Hall Readings

In association with Keele Communities Together, this evening of Keele Hall Readings will include poetry by various readers - which deal with aspects of war and conflict as expressed through the medium of poetry.

For more information and to register for free tickets visit the Arts Keele website.

6 November 2018
Public Lecture - Free to attend
Dr Helen Parr: Commemorating the fallen: bodies, cemeteries and mourning

Between 1914 and 1918, three quarters of a million Britons lost their lives in military service. In the face of mass bereavement, one pressing issue for the government was how the dead could be remembered. This lecture examines the challenges of remembering the dead; and asks how, a century after the Great War, the contemporary practice of bringing bodies home reflects Britain’s changing relationship with its war dead.

For more information and to register for free tickets visit the Arts Keele website.

8 November to 11 November 2018
Keele Drama Society presents: The Accrington Pals

The Accrington Pals focuses on the human experiences of the First World War and wartime Britain. Offering a stark contrast between nature of day to day life in rural England, complete with comedy; and the harsh realities of the effect the war had on all people.

Tickets: £6 Adults | £4 Students | £3 Drama members

For more information and to buy tickets visit the Arts Keele Website

10 November 2018
Keele Brass Band: Remembrance Concert

Tickets: £6 | £3 Concession

For more information and to buy tickets visit the Arts Keele Website