MEMBERS of Cumnock History Group have started a programme of activities to mark a milestone event.

They are involving the wider community as the 100th Anniversary of World War I Armistice Day approaches.

A mix of celebratory, educational and family fun events, workshops and activities on the armistice theme started at the weekend.

Yipword in Barrhill Road hosted a poster design workshop which used originals from World War I for inspirational guidance.

This will be used to promote one of the programme’s main events ­— a Welcome Home tea dance in the town hall on Saturday, November 10.

Also created for the tea dance were two banners, based on an original design, which were put together by the town’s Wee Sewing Bee group.

They are 6ft x 4ft and made in Cumnock colours and featuring the Parish Medal.

Chairman of Cumnock History Group, Bobby Grierson said: “We re-imagined what the original might have looked like ­— this was so successfully and beautifully accomplished by the group and we are sure that these will be appreciated by generations to come.”

Coming up this week is a talk hosted by East Ayrshire Leisure, which will focus on the region’s extensive World War I collections.

This takes place at The Baird Institute between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday, November 1.

Also at the Baird, from 1pm to 3pm on November 2 and 3, are two drop-in reminiscence events.

This is an opportunity for members of the community to take along photos, letters and family stories of the conflict.

There will also be a chance to help collate details of parish medals and war medals and place these on record.

Cumnock Armistice Events 2018 are being held by the history group in partnership with the Corra Foundation, Cumnock Action Plan and numerous local organisations.

Local schools are taking part in a project to paint memorial stones, with the names of some of the 876 Cumnock people who served in World War I ­— tragically, 192 of them never returned.

For a full list of Armistice events happing this year, see this week's paper, only 90p