A COMMUNITY project marking the Centenary of the First World War opened this weekend at the Creative Innovation Centre (CICCIC) in Taunton.

The project is to enable people to come together to see and preserve the memories and heritage of the people who served and lived through the First World War.

Staff and volunteers spent months collecting photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters, military artefacts and photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down to help them build a clear picture of what life was really like.

The exhibition is a culmination of the project, following a range of events including people could dropping in and sharing family history, the launch of a website where you can enter photos and stories and view an online exhibition.

The physical exhibition will be open for four weeks and all online information collated will be indexed for life by the British Library so future generations can learn about the war.

CICCIC director Andrew Knutt, said: “We’ve had photos, posters, medals, clothing, books, diaries, poems, objects made by service men, uniforms, coins, plaques, service documents, models, drawings, paintings, military artefacts and more.

"We have been amazed by the amount of artefacts, stories and photos that people in Somerset have chosen to contribute about their armed forces heritage. We believe there could be more done to produce an even greater selection of materials - or even a book on our WW1 heritage within Somerset.

"It is thanks to funding that we could develop the tools to host this exhibition and subsequent public and school events. Similarly, we are really grateful for the help and support we have received from the local community, without their contributions this exhibit would not have been the success that it is.”

The project is one of the largest WW1 heritage partnerships of its kind in the South West with partners that include Heritage Lottery Fund, Somerset Armed Forces Community Covenant, 40 Commando, Taunton Deane Borough Council, The Historical Association, UK Hydrographic Office, and Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society.

Cllr Christopher Le Hardy, chairman of the Somerset Armed Forces Community Covenant, said: “We were honoured to support the funding bid for this fantastic project.

“It is so important that we are able to teach younger generations about their past, in particular local history and this exhibition will provide a perfect platform for learning. The Somerset Armed Forces Community Covenant is keen to support any local projects with a military link and this one in particular is very close to our hearts.”

CICCIC’s director Richard Holt said: “We have worked with five secondary schools and taught student volunteers on documenting and understanding WW1 and had a range of events for the public to bring their artifacts, stories and photos.”

For more information visit www.taunton-ww1.co.uk or contact CICCIC on 01823-337477.