Rare screening of famous war film at Clitheroe Castle

The UNESCO-listed documentary, The Battle of the Somme, was filmed in the build-up to and first day of the battle, and subsequently viewed by 20million people across the UK desperate for a glimpse of their loved ones.

It gave an insight into the realities of trench warfare, controversially including the depiction of dead and wounded soldiers. It includes footage of the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, 1st Lancashire Fusiliers and 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers.

One hundred years later, the unique film will be screened at the Atrium Café, Clitheroe Castle, on June 30.

The screening is part of Ribble Valley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council’s Somme centenary commemorations that will include a day-long vigil on July 1 at Clitheroe Castle’s Unknown Soldier.

At 7.30am, a whistle will blow marking the start of the vigil, just as it did 100 years ago when solders went ‘over the top’. But instead of going into battle participants will stand on a plinth next to the Unknown Soldier for two minutes as a mark of respect.

At 7.30pm, the end of the vigil will be marked with a reading of Lancaster-born Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ and the sounding of the Last Post by Clitheroe cornet player Alison Cowking.

Book to see the film by ringing 01200 424568.