Football friendly

THis area’s proud military history will be brought to the fore again in the coming months as preparations for events to mark the centenary of the start of the first world war gather pace.

Nationally, key events and developments relating to the conflict will be commemorated, including the Battle of the Somme, the Gallipoli campaign, the changing role of women, the Armistice and the dedication of memorials to those who died.

As befits such a significant historical anniversary there will be plenty going on across the district and county.

A slightly more unusual, but nevertheless worthy, idea has been proposed by Mr Francis Towndrow.

Prompted by his interest in the history of Newark Town FC, Mr Towndrow wants to recreate the football match played in No Man’s Land at Christmas 1914 between British and German soldiers.

The plan is for Newark Town to play a team from Newark’s German twin town of Emmendingen, at Ypres in Belgium.

Mr Towndrow has been encouraged by the response of the Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which supports the idea, and the Heritage Lottery Fund, which says a grant to help pay for it could be available.

Sadly, the 1914 Christmas truce was only a brief interlude in a conflict that continued for almost four more years, claiming millions of casualties.

Regardless of what may be done nationally, this is a great opportunity for Newark and Emmen-dingen to cement already strong ties in a fitting tribute to those from both communities, and much further afield, who died in the war.