BARTON Stacey is a village with a long history of association with the armed forces and will be marking the outbreak of the First World War with a series of events.

It begins on Friday, 13 June with a local stories evening at All Saints Church hosted by the Barton Stacey History Group and featuring the Barton Stacey Chamber Choir.

It will tell the stories of some of the men from the village who lost their lives, and include film footage from the era projected onto the ceiling of the church.

The choir will perform music of the time, including My Soul, There is a Country, by Parry, and invite the audience to sing along with music hall favourites such as Pack Up Your Troubles.

The evening starts at 7.30pm and entry is |free.

On Saturday, 14 June a family day will begin with an act of commemoration at All Saints at 11am, which will feature the rededication of the newly refurbished war memorial, with the presentation of a new Union Flag and a book of the stories behind the names on the Memorial, the fruit of some painstaking research by members of the History Group.

After this service everyone will walk up Bullington Lane to The Green, remembering the men of the village who responded to the call to arms and marched to Andover to enlist. There will then be a picnic on the green, with live music from the Jubilee Trad Jazz Band and children’s entertainment.

Entrance is free, but people should bring their own picnic and blankets.

The formal events close with an Open Garden Walk on Sunday, 22 June starting |at 2pm, focussing on gardens in the Roberts Road area |(former Army quarters) and including the sale of plants and refreshments on The Green.