WAVERLEY residents are invited this September to step back in time 100 years and experience what life was like in the towns and villages of West Surrey during WWI.

This community event on September 12, co-hosted by Waverley Borough Council and Godalming Town Council, will see the Burys Field transformed with displays, exhibitions and performances in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund.

At the event, which will be officially opened by the Mayor of Waverley, Mike Band, guests can take part in a range of activities including Union Fdlag making, a poppy trail and period dress up. There will also be an exhibition of artists’ prints and a special film screening of ‘One shot’ by HYPE young curators’ group.

Three major exhibitions featuring village archives from Badshot Lea, Thursley and Blackheath will reveal the stories of local men who served in the Great War. As well as adding your own stories to Surrey Heritage’s collection, people can search for their relatives in Godalming’s Roll of Honour.

Nicholas Holder, heritage champion at Waverley Borough Council, who has been instrumental in delivering the project said: “This is a very special event and will be the first of its kind in Waverley.

“Everybody is welcome to come along for free and enjoy the exhibits. On the day children can experience a real life WWI bunker, laundry day and first-aid tent, while any old WWI documents or artefacts can be recorded and examined by professional historians.”

Julia Potts, portfolio holder for culture at Waverley Borough Council, said: “Thanks to the support of many local organisations, this promises to be an interactive and educational event for all the family. It is a wonderful way for the community to come together and commemorate WW1 in Surrey during its centenary.”

After a live performance by Charterhouse School and the Surrey Army Cadets, guests are invited to the Heroes Band Concert at the Bandstand on the Phillips Memorial Grounds at 5pm.

The event will start from 1.30pm until 5pm on Saturday, September 12. The following day exhibitions and displays only will be available to view from 12pm until 3pm.

For more information go to www.waverley.gov.uk/ww1 or call Waverley’s Community Arts Officer Charlotte Hall on 01483 523390.