The dramatic era of The Great War will be commemorated and brought to life in a major event at Rufford Abbey Country Park later this month.

Britain in The Great War 1914-18, is being organised by Nottinghamshire County Council in partnership with EventPlan as part of the ongoing Trent to Trenches centenary commemoration programme marking the start of The Great War in 1914.

One of the most eye-catching activities of the weekend on 28th-29th June will be a recreation of how the emergency services would have responded to a Zeppelin raid on Rufford Abbey, as happened for real in Nottingham.

Spectators will be able to look on as the emergency services go to work tackling the results of the attack, as smoke emanates from the Abbey ruins, in a frantic search for survivors.

Coun John Knight, committee chairman for culture, at the council, said: “Britain in The Great War 1914-18 will feature a wide range of activities, tactical displays, military drills, talks, exhibits, medical displays and more – as well as the opportunity to commemorate and remember all those involved in the Great War and the immense bravery, commitment and sacrifices that were made.

“Set in the stunning surroundings of Rufford Abbey, it is the latest event taking place as part of the Trent to Trenches commemorative programme across Nottinghamshire. The campaign has also featured a large number of talks, events and displays in county libraries.”

The forthcoming living history event at Rufford Abbey will be taking place on the exact 100th anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, whose death sparked the start of the conflict.

The event will be officially opened by Nottinghamshire County Council chairman Coun Pauline Allan, and other key highlights over the weekend will include The British Lancers and Ju Jistsu Suffragette displays and a Church Parade and act of remembrance on the Sunday, in the Upper Floor of the Abbey Ruins, with the service to be conducted by Lay Reader David Moore.

Organiser Howard Giles, of EventPlan, said: “As the Centenary approaches it is important to remember the huge commitment that Great Britain made alongside its allies in defeating the German threat, and the price paid by all those who were killed, maimed or otherwise affected. Our commemorative event seeks to honour and remember them all.”

The event brings together an eclectic, very high quality cast of performers and speakers. Some of the event display highlights are as follows:

• Mr Punch versus the Kaiser (Ancient Wisdom)
• Military camps and displays of British troops (including the Sherwood Foresters) and the other Great Powers
• The bagpipes in WWI (Tom Greenshields and Phil Meadows)
• War Horse! British Lancers of 1914 (The 16th Lancers Display Team)
• Edwardian personal self-defence (School of Defence)
• The face of war – how facial reconstruction for the disfigured was pioneered by Dr Harold Gillies (Ancient Wisdom)
• 1914 British infantry drill (Various groups)
• Firemen practising, using hand pumps (NFS and AFS Vehicles Group)

Some of the talks include:
• The Zeppelin menace and their raids on Nottingham (Ian Castle)
• The Madonnas of Pervyse – famous nursing heroines of the Western Front (John Chester of The Western Front Association)
• Three VCs in Two Armies – the stories behind the three Victoria Crosses won by members of the Salvation army (John Stanyard of The Western Front Association)
• Baba Yaga: A Traditional Folk Tale from Russia (The Russians)
There are also a huge range of stalls and other exhibits including Great War themed stalls in the Marquee.

To commemorate those who fell or were affected by the conflict there will be a final parade and remembrance including piper’s lament, Exhortation, Last Post, minute’s silence, Reveille, and march past by all the living history groups present.

For details about the event visit the Nottinghamshire County Council website www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson or the Eventplan website www.eventplan.co.uk