April 2017

Part of the Exploring the Past Free Lecture series at Cardiff University, and sponsored by Living Legacies 1914-18 in association with other WW1 Engagement Centres

Class was the dominant factor in British society during the First World War. Working class men volunteered in huge numbers for the army. They were encouraged by their burgeoning trade unions, which actively supported the war effort and took an increasing role in government. Women joined the workforce as well as participating in protests. Radical ex-service organisations campaigned for pensions and for tangible commemoration of sacrifice. The working class presence became dominant after 1918, in recognition of their wartime victory.

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This publication is about a long lasting revolution in modern European history. What happened in the sixteenth century changed Europe and the legacies endure. The most bitter wars in Christian history were fought at this time. The religious map of Europe took shape. Ireland experienced the Reformations, Anglican, Reformed and Catholic, producing a bitter, sectarianised and violent history.

We no longer live in the sixteenth century and our twenty-first century questions are different. In a declining West, we are now faced with challenges to reform our political, economic and cultural systems and institutions. For Christian faith communities in relation to other globalised religions, what will ‘reformed’ theology and ethics look like?

This publication is part of the Ethical and Shared Remembering Project’s second phase dealing with events between 1917-1922, within a more global context, offering an overview with some contemporary challenges. Dr Johnston McMaster is the Senior Research Writer and Educator with the Ethical and Shared Remembering Project, The Junction, Derry Londonderry.

Please register with jim@communitydialogue.org or ring 02890 351450

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Through the centenary period, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has been active in supporting a wide range of projects across the UK to mark the centenary of the First World War. These have focussed on a very broad variety of subjects, not just focussing on the military aspects of 1914-18 but also encompassing the impact of the war upon the lives of people and communities in multiple different ways.

As well as funding projects through established programmes such as ‘Our Heritage’, ‘Young Roots’ and ‘Heritage Grants’, the HLF have awarded well over 1,500 awards through the ‘First World War: Then and Now’ scheme. This is suitable for smaller-scale projects, with grants ranging from £3,000 to £10,000. The application process is streamlined and around two-thirds of the projects funded by this scheme have been first-time applicants.

To read more please click here or for the programme timetable place click here.

To mark the Society’s 30th Anniversary year, we intend to host a series of talks around the theme for the year - “Striding forward” inspired by the John Hewitt poem ‘Jacob and the Angel’

“I will not pause to struggle with my past
locked in an angry posture with a ghost
but striding forward”

Professor Marianne Elliott will speak on the topic

“Sectarianism - The Ghost of the Peace Process”.

Marianne Elliott is former Director of The Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool, and author of a number of important books including a biography of Wolfe Tone; Catholics of Ulster: a History; and When God Took Sides- Religion and Identity in Ireland.

Talks will be chaired by Sir George Bain, and admission is free.

Click here for more information.

Gateways to the First World War is delighted to host this networking event open to everyone interested and/or engaged in researching the history of music and musicians of any nationality on the home and fighting fronts 1914-1918.

Speakers will include researchers working on projects funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

For further information please contact gateways@kent.ac.uk

To book a place at this event click here.