HEREFORD-based dance company 2Faced, in partnership with St Mary’s RC High School, have been successful in winning £10,000 of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for their joint project, The Trench, which will see 150 young people from the school research and investigate the lives of the 27 men whose names are inscribed on the War Memorial in Lugwardine.

As part of the project, a specialist researcher will be brought into the school to teach the students the documentary, oral research and recording skills they will need, and participants will also interview local ex-servicemen and their families to compare present day experiences with those of the First World War. In addition, the project will also explore how the lives of women were changed by the First World War and will include visits to the Rotherwas Munitions Factory.

To further enhance the pupils’ experience, and to stand as a learning aid for years to come, a working ‘trench’, based on those at Vimy Ridge, will be constructed in the school grounds as a memorial and ‘living classroom’.

Professional dancers from 2Faced Dance Company will work with the students to create a piece of dance theatre which interprets their First World War heritage. Combining film, music and poetry this will be performed by the young people to the local community before touring to schools across the county.

“We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and we hope it helps our students to make a thoughtful and creative response to the sacrifice of the soldiers of Lugwardine," said Mike Fitzgerald, assistant head of St Mary’s High School. "If any relatives have photographs or memories of the Lugwardine soldiers then please contact St Mary’s School.” To contact St Mary’s High School with any information that might help the students with their project, call 01432 850416