Authors, actors and musicians have lent their support to the Last Post Project's ambition to get communities across the country playing the Last Post for someone in the First World War.
Following a successful start that saw over 40,000 people take part in 2014, the project has now launched a free information and activity pack exploring the battle of Gallipoli.
The pack was launched at a live recording of folk songs linked to 1915 and the Gallipoli campaign. Musicians Paul Sartin of British folk band Bellowhead and Turkish singer Cigdem Aslan sang Ҫanakkale Türküsü and 'Old Gallipoli' to the tune of Mountains of Mourne.
The music will form part of the pack along with poetry, art and family stories. Actor and comedian Hugh Dennis tells of his Uncle Frank who died at Gallipoli at just 17 years old. War Horse author, Michael Morpurgo wrote the foreword in which he challenges young people to ask why and how they should remember the war.
Teachers, parents, youth workers and community groups can register for the pack at www.thelastpostproject.org.uk and to take part in a week of Last Post activities from 20th-26 April 2015.
Hugh Dennis said:
"We all have a connection to the First World War, perhaps as a family, a neighbourhood or as a nation. In the pack, you will find stories, poetry and music handed down by that generation to ours. It's our inheritance and it is very precious."
Commenting, Virginia Crompton, Executive Producer of The Last Post project said:
“The Last Post brings together music and memory to mark the First World War Centenary in an accessible and creative way. This year we are marking the Gallipoli campaign with a special focus on children, young people and families and have a wonderful introduction to our schools pack from Michael Morpurgo. We are also very proud to be working with Paul Sartin of Bellowhead and Turkish singer Cigdem Aslan to share Turkey’s Gallipoli song and other popular music from the era, connecting communities to the experiences and emotions of 1915.”
First World War Centenary Minister Helen Grant said:
“The terrible loss of life at Gallipoli took away fathers, sons, friends and brothers from all nations involved in the conflict. By bringing the Gallipoli Campaign to life in the classroom with poetry, music and story telling through projects like this, we will be able to ensure an enduring legacy for those who sacrificed so much.”
The Last Post project 2015 is delivered by Arts non-profit organisation Superact and has been awarded funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government in England, the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland and the Heritage Lottery Fund to roll out the project in England and Northern Ireland in 2015.
For more information visit www.thelastpostproject.org.uk @lastpostproject
