A LOCAL exhibition will commemorate the centenary of the First World War in an interactive way.

The People’s War 1914-1918: Kidderminster Remembers has a programme of songs, music, drama, films and re-enactments that will bring to life the Great War period.

Kidderminster Heritage Opportunities Group (HOGs) has organised the event, which will take place in the town hall and corn exchange on Saturday, September 13 from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, September 14 from 11am to 1pm.

David Laverty, event co-ordinator for HOGs, said: “The aim of the exhibition is to give local people the chance to reflect on the huge impact the conflict had on Kidderminster, especially by discovering the personal war stories of former residents of the town.

“There is a duty to remember what these heroes did and what they experienced and we feel the exhibition is a very important part of this.

“We hope the two days will attract a broad range of people and that they will find it engaging and learn a lot.”

The event will feature songs and poetry representing the lives of ordinary soldiers performed by The Rose Theatre, while Claire Worboys will play as top music hall star of the period Vesta Tilley.

Films such as Kidderminster at War 1914-1918 by local historian Sally Dickson and Weave It To Us, which is about women taking over men’s jobs during the conflict, by the Wheely Different Theatre Company will be shown.

Displays will include objects and photographs from The Shrubbery, the local territorial battalion headquarters during the fighting, war art by Richard Crabtree and research work completed by Kidderminster students.

Presentations by Don Gilbert, Wolverley and Cookley Historical Society and local scout troops will be provided, while family historian Gay Hill will teach visitors how to find out more about their ancestors’ roles in the First World War.

Re-enactment group Birmingham PALS will also demonstrate army weaponry, equipment, food and recruitment methods from the period.

The exhibition, which has been financed by a £3,400 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War: then and now scheme, is free to attend.