A SPECIAL service will be held at St Hilda’s Church in Ampleforth this weekend to commemorate the fallen from the First World War.

The service is part of a number of commemorations taking place in churches all over the country for the centenary.

In Ampleforth, the service will also see the launch of a 6ft Tommy silhouette, which will be placed in a new rose bed in the church yard for the month of November.

The Tommy silhouette will be a focus for remembrance for local people and visitors, and both St

Benedict’s and St Hilda’s primary school pupils are taking part in some projects around the silhouette.

Reverend Catherine Reid, the Vicar of the Ampleforth Benefice, said: “A lot of work has gone into this project, and in engaging the local community, we hope both the service and the Tommy silhouette in the church yard will provide an important focus for local people to remember all those that gave their lives, and to appreciate the huge impact World War One had on every family, village, and community in the country.”

The purchase of the Tommy was made possible by a grant from the Ryedale District Council.