THERE will be a full programme of events as Carnforth celebrates the centenary of its war memorial. 

November 9 2024 will mark the 100th anniversary of the town's cenotaph being unveiled. 

The programme of events includes: 

Friday 8 November: courtesy of the North West Film Archive in Manchester, there will be a special screening of the original 1924 film of the unveiling ceremony together with other contemporary newsreel footage of life in Carnforth and the surrounding area.

There will be a matinee for local schools at the Civic Hall starting at 3.15pm and a public screening at 7.30pm. Entry is free but by ticket only. 

Saturday 9 November: starting at Carnforth High School at approximately 2.30pm, there will be a civic and military parade led by the Accrington Pipe & Drum Band along Kellet Road and Market Street to the War Memorial itself. At 3pm there will be a short ceremony when Lord Cavendish of Holker (whose forebear presided over the original ceremony in 1924) will re-enact the unveiling of the memorial.

The war memorial shortly after it had been unveiled in 1924The war memorial shortly after it had been unveiled in 1924 (Image: Carnforth Town Council) A group of military re-enactors will be present complete with Second World War military vehicles. 

Members of the public are being encouraged to play their part by turning out with union flags to watch the parade and the re-enactment of the unveiling ceremony itself.  

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Sunday 10 November: from 10.30am there will be the traditional Remembrance Day service led by Captain Tracey Collis of the Salvation Army in the War Memorial gardens.

The Townswomen’s Guild and the Women’s Institute will work with local schools by making poppies and bunting that will be used to decorate the streets and shop windows around Carnforth.

Councillor Ian Laurence, who is leading the event on behalf of the town council, said: "We believe that this promises to be an extremely exciting and poignant weekend for Carnforth, its residents and visitors, young and old alike.

"It will also be the culmination of a lot of hard work not only by the councillors and staff of the town council, but also by the very many local organisations and individuals who have lent their support and assistance to what we all hope will be a memorable occasion.

"Thank you to all those who have been involved. We now need public support to ensure our weekend is a great success by surpassing the 2,000 residents and visitors that witnessed the original unveiling back in 1924."