CLEATOR Moor Town Council has defended marking the Battle of the Somme with a memorial event on June 30 – for which further details have been unveiled.

Copeland councillor, David Banks questioned why the Somme was being marked in a special ceremony when there were many other battles which claimed local lives.

At the public town council meeting, council clerk, Helen Gilmour, said the event came about as a response to public interest and that there were events such Remembrance Day to honour the memory of those who died in the First World War’s other battles.

Mrs Gilmour added that the event was also to remember those who lived through the Somme and for the families of those affected by the battle to share stories.

Cleator Moor Chamber of Trade’s secretary, David Farrell, was one of those who championed the idea of sharing stories about the survivors of the Somme.

He said: “We often see the names of memorials of those who died and forget that there were a lot of people who survived and came home at the end of the war – they often get forgotten.”.

The event will take place on Thursday, June 30 at 6.30pm in Cleator Moor Square. Cleator Moor Brass will play for half an hour before a brief service by the war memorial. Refreshments will be provided by the town council and served by the Methodist Church ladies in the Methodist Church hall following the service. Phoenix Youth are preparing a display and will help with the refreshments.

There will be a competition held in PYP to design a logo for wreaths that will be used on the day. CMTC is supplying a prize for this. Cleator Moor Army Cadets will be providing support for the organisation of the event.

Mrs Gilmour added: “Members of the parish have been asked to knit or crochet poppies which will be displayed on the Square. Poppies have started to arrive in the office, which is excellent.”

The public has until the end of the month to share stories, pictures and memorabilia with Mrs Gilmour, who will be creating a display for the event.