Wilfred Owen Commemoration 2018 launches at Pyramids Shopping Centre

March 2018
 
Locals flock to event hosted by Dame Patricia Routledge and MP Frank Field
 
Over the weekend, Birkenhead turned out in crowds at Pyramids Shopping Centre to welcome Dame Patricia Routledge, who returned to her home town to announce the launch of the Wilfred Owen Commemoration 2018, alongside local MP, Frank Field.
 
The launch event last Saturday saw more than 100 visitors gathering at the Wilfred Owen Commemoration shop – opposite Burton on St John’s Pavement – to hear more about activities that will take place during the official centenary celebrations, which will be held in the soldier and acclaimed poet’s honour in November.
 
Throughout the afternoon, visitors enjoyed free creative writing and art workshops, as well as a special exhibition showcasing material – which can be viewed until the end of April – from local galleries including The Wilfred Owen Story and Gallery.
 
“The event was a great success and we were thrilled to welcome so many people from Birkenhead and the surrounding areas,” said Pyramids Shopping Centre director, Derek Millar. “There are even more wonderful activities to come later this year to celebrate Wilfred’s life and mark 100 years of his passing –  it’s definitely not to be missed.
 
“It was an absolute pleasure to have Patricia and Frank here at the centre, and lovely to see visitors of all ages chatting with them and being captivated by Wilfred’s story at the exhibition.”
 
Frank Field, Labour MP for Birkenhead, said the commemorative week this autumn is set to be a poignant and inspiring occasion for the whole community to get involved in. He said: “It was wonderful to have Patricia home in Birkenhead to launch the Wilfred Owen Commemoration. This will be a week of both celebration and remembrance for people who died in World War One, all the way through to the wars of the present day.”
 
The Wilfred Owen Commemoration 2018 will take place from Saturday 3 November until Saturday 10 November, with events happening throughout the autumn, at various locations in and around Birkenhead.