Hayfield WWI exhibition brings young and old together

Hayfield's WW1 centenary exhibition has a tremendous variety of exhibits

Veteran Albert Knowles, who was born in 1915 during the Great War and fought in the Second World War, was given the honour on Sunday of jointly opening a week-long commemorative exhibition at the village hall with 15-year-old Hayfield May Queen Ruth Eastwood.

The 98-year-old has been a member of the Hayfield branch of the Royal British Legion for nearly 70 years, serving as president since the 1950s.

“I hope that many people will come to see this exhibition and learn what our parents, grandparents and great grandparents experienced a century ago,” said Albert, a Burma Star recipient.

Albert Knowles and Hayfield May Queen Ruth Eastwood strike the gong to signal the opening of the exhibition, watched by Peter Eastwood, Chairman of Hayfield Parish Council, vicar Hilary Edgerton and Junior May Queen Hannah. Photo contributed.

After being presented with a painting of Hayfield War Memorial by local artist Steven Wise, the veteran joined Ruth in striking a gong, reconstructed from a First World War shell, to mark the opening of the exhibition.

The display, featuring personal items, artefacts, memories and stories from local residents, continues until Saturday, open each day between 11am and 4pm, and until 7.30pm tonight (Thursday).