Press Release

“United in History” Somme Exhibition opens

Thursday, 24 April

An exhibition, which highlights trips local people have made to the Somme, will take place in St Columb’s Park House from 28 April to 02 May as part of Community Relations Celebrations in the city.

The ‘United in History’ Somme Exhibition will be launched on Monday 28th April at 12.30 pm by the Mayor, Alderman Drew Thompson at St Columb’s Park House, and will then run until Fri 2nd May, opening from 9am - 5pm each day. It has been organised by the Shared City Project and is one of a series of events being run as part of Derry City Council’s Community Relations Week 2008.

The exhibition will include photos of the groups who travel to France and Belgium every year, as well as memorabilia and artefacts from the First World War.

Jeanette Warke, from Shared City Project commented “The groups who travel to the Somme have really enjoyed their experiences, they have learned a lot and are keen to share that with the public. Through this ‘United in History’ exhibition, we want to highlight that both Protestants and Catholics fought during the war, side by side. As an organisation that promotes cross community co-operation, we want to highlight this case of both sides working together and use it as an example of how we can co-operate today”.

Derry City Council supports all the events organised for Community Relations Week. Carol Stewart, Community Relations Officer with Derry City Council has been working to ensure a full programme of events in the city. “This year will see an exciting and interesting series of events on the city, all of which will promote the positive benefits gained from cross community co-operation. I encourage everyone to visit an event this year and see for themselves the wonderful work that is going on in our city”.

The ‘United in History’ Somme Exhibition is a free event and is open to everyone. For further information about the full programme of Community Relations Week events running in the city and throughout Northern Ireland, visit the Community Relations Council website at www.nicrc.org.uk

Ends

Photo Call:

The Mayor Alderman Drew Thompson will officially open the exhibition at St Columb’s Park House at 12.30 on Monday 28 April.

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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