Lancashire County Council Case Study - Mid Pennine Arts - Truce

Lancashire Arts Development Team Supporting great art which transforms lives & places

Case Study: Mid Pennine Arts - Truce Project: Inspiring Participants "I'm still gobsmacked I can sing at all, but to sing in a choir like that was just fabulous. I was wearing my dad's badge from WW2 and he was a prisoner of war for 4 years so it was very special."

Project Summary

Cowas one of several projects undertaken by Mid Truce Pennine Arts in 2014. It recalled the Christmas ceasefire of 1914 - reimagining this moment of shared humanity amidst catastrophic war. Two of the largest events were 'Rhyme to No-mans Land': an evening of dramatic story telling and music, and 'The Christmas Truce' at Accrington Stanley FC. Here are two of the many comments made by those who were there:

Photographs courtesy of Mid Pennine Arts

"Mid Pennine Arts once again showcase the talent that East Lancashire has. Everyone who attended at St James Church was impressed by the quality of acting, the choir and the whole production." Graham Jones MP "To bring it in to the football stadiums and taking it to the people, I think it’s a very, very good idea." ASFC fan Outputs There were 7,200 participants in Truce from schools, football clubs, library and museum visitors and choirs, all sharing in an intergenerational journey of discovery. These people in turn helped the organisation to boost its online engagement to a total of 395,190. And the story goes on with 120,000 radio listeners and those who watched the short film (see www.midpenninearts.org.uk/truce), or who read any of the publications.

Project Partners  Heritage Lottery Fund Accrington Stanley FC BBC Radio Lancashire LCC Arts Development Team St James Church, Accrington Schools and colleges in Accrington Granada FoundationHyndburn Homes Artists and musicians

Project Funding (all projects 2014-15)  £249,739 from various funders including £28,000 LCC funding

Arts Development Team Lancashire County Council Email: acs.artsdevelopmentservice@lancashire.gov.uk

"It was one of the best experiences of my life and one I will treasure. There was such an atmosphere of camaraderie amongst all participants and the audience that somehow reflected the spirit of peace, comradeship and shared humanity that the British and German soldiers demonstrated in such a wonderful and humbling way that Christmas of 1914."

Choir member