In rural Lancashire, 1914, excitement is building for the annual Rushbearing Festival - singing, dancing, drinking and courting - and a rest from working the field. The looming war is barely registering...but it will. An August Bank Holiday Lark follows one village on the brink of change, witnessing the transition from exuberance to a devastating loss of innocence.

Marking 100 years since World War One began, this gentle drama tells a story that is both entertaining and deeply moving.

Strawberry Thieves, Bromley Poets etc.

This landmark satirical musical is an entertaining and exuberant ride through the history of the First World War. A truly original portrait of the conflict that changed the world forever.

With Bruce Kent and A.W. Zurbrugg. Our guests present the works of those who opposed the First World War and who wrote and published in order to convince others of its horrors, with particular reference to newly published books ‘Not Our War: Writings against the First World War’ and ‘War against War!’ 7pm

This alternative WWI exhibition is a taster for the Peace Museum UK’s planned flagship multi-media exhibition Choices Then and Now, scheduled for March 2016. Choices?

People are invited to tell us their stories of both WW1 and WW2 conscientious objection. This is part of a WW1 project which Leicester CND are doing with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund called 'Memories in Conflict, resistance to war, before, during and after WW1, explored through Leicester's memories.'. Early next year we will produce a book and an education resource. Along the way we plan to hold events.

With John Gittings. John Gittings is the author of ‘The Glorious Art of Peace’, from the Iliad to the present day, and in retirement from the Guardian as Far East correspondent and leader writer on Far East issues he is closely involved in the debate on the commemoration of WW1.

Peace History Lecture - "No Glory in War – Noble Cause or Capitalist Adventure?" with John Westmoreland, head of History, York College.
10.30am – optional guided tour of Manchester Peace & Social Justice Trail. 2pm lecture.

This day-school in York aims to provide an alternative to government plans for a 'celebration of the national spirit'; to counter romantic, populist, nationalist propaganda, and bad history which serve to facilitate future wars; and to offer explanation in place of commemoration. Speakers include: Lindsey German, John Rees, Cyril Pearce, Charlie McGuire, Chris Fuller and Owen Clayton.

The plan is to have short introductory talks followed by open discussions. Proposed sessions on: World War 1, its relevance today; why Capitalism Needs War, Mutinies, women’s protests and revolutions, Countering Cameron’s Commemorations, War Today: Ukraine, Putin and more. Suggestions welcome. All welcome, this event is free, but donations would be gratefully received on the day. Disabled access is unfortunately poor…

An International and Interdisciplinary Conference at the University of Hull. Keynote speakers include: Professor Martin Ceadel, University of Oxford, Professor Sandi Cooper, City University of New York, Dr Grace Brockington, University of Bristol.

'War - and Peace' Residential — at Wortley Hall near Sheffield, organised by the Raymond Williams Foundation. Key note address by Paul Rogers and others, poetry , discussions, film extracts etc http://www.raymondwilliamsfoundation.org.uk/Whallmay2014.html

The sixth outing for the popular, participatory camp: a five-day, family-friendly event that attempts to embody many of the characteristics of the future society towards which we’re working – inclusive, democratic, participatory, renewably-powered and environmentally sustainable.

What did we learn from the First World War, with speaker Pat Gaffney.

Open to all

Speakers; Dr Neil Faulkner, a leading First World War archaeologist and research fellow at Bristol University and Dr Sean Lang, of Anglia Ruskin University..

Guest speaker, Nick O’Brien, Chair Norwich Stop the War Coalition.
Public Meeting, All welcome

Time TBA.

Just Supper and talk: Peter Hughes on ‘Sleepwalking into War’ at 20.15. Just supper at 19.30.

This free exhibition views the First World War through images of many of the individuals involved. http://www.npg.org.uk/