LIFE-SIZE silhouettes of soldiers from Tarporley occupied the pews at the village church as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in the First World War.

A total of 61 men from the village and surrounding area lost their lives in the conflict – and all were remembered at a special service on Sunday (March 19).

It was the first in a series of events planned this year as part of community project Tarporley Remembers 2018, organised to mark the centenary of the armistice.

The plastic silhouettes are part of a national project and Tarporley was the first location nationwide to see them used in a service.

It was organised and co-ordinated by villagers Victoria Williams and Emma Hunter who said it had been a fantastic success.

“It felt like the whole community turned out to watch the procession,” Victoria told The Standard.

“It was very moving because the entire high street was completely silent. Everyone was so respectful and understood the significance of what we were trying to do.”

Tarporley Remembers 2018 is supported by the parish council, St Helen’s Parish Church, the Royal British Legion and Tarporley War Memorial Hospital, for which the project is raising money.

Other events lined up this year include a ‘memory walk’ and a ‘living memories’ project that will see people dressed in period costume tell stories from history.

There will also be a festival between June 22-24 hosted by The Swan and other businesses. Everything will lead up to a special service on Remembrance Sunday.

“The whole community is really getting onboard,” added Victoria.

For more information search for Tarporley Remembers 2018 on Facebook.