June 29, 2016 10.13 am This story is over 93 months old

Services and flypasts to commemorate Somme centenary in Lincoln

People are being invited to commemorate the exact moment the Battle of the Somme began 100 years ago in a ceremony at Lincoln Castle. A half hour event will take place from 7am on Friday, July 1. As well as a minute’s silence, there will be live music, readings of personal stories, and a special…

People are being invited to commemorate the exact moment the Battle of the Somme began 100 years ago in a ceremony at Lincoln Castle.

A half hour event will take place from 7am on Friday, July 1.

As well as a minute’s silence, there will be live music, readings of personal stories, and a special flypast from a WW1 replica aeroplane (weather permitting).

A Spitfire will fly over the castle at noon.

A series of special events will continue at the castle and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life until July 7.

At 5pm, every evening from July 1 – 6, a bugler will play the Last Post over Castle Hill from the battlements of Lincoln Castle’s West Gate.

This will be followed by a student from a local school reading out 26 names of the fallen from Lincolnshire in the Battle of the Somme.

Councillor Nick Worth, executive member for culture and heritage, said: “On July 1, 1916 seven battalions from within the traditional Lincolnshire boundaries suffered terrible losses.

“We’re proud of the contribution and the sacrifices made by our own soldiers from Lincolnshire.

“This will be a very special week of commemorations and chance for people to remember the fallen and learn more about the part the county played in this momentous battle.”

Visitors at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life can discover more about WW1 soldiers with a series of short presentations and living history with a duo of uniformed Territorial soldiers complete with machine guns and Lincolnshire Yeomanry cavalry soldiers and their horses.

The week’s events conclude on Thursday, July 7 at 5pm on the South Lawn at Lincoln Castle.

In view of Poppies: Wave, The Band of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell will play a special antiphonal rendition of The Last Post culminating with a flypast of a BBMF Spitfire (weather permitting).

The flag will be lowered at Lincolnshire County Council offices to mark the special anniversary.