Remembrance football match in Newark aims to teach children about World War peace
Newark's twinning town in Germany joins for the symbolic 'Peace Game'
This weekend, Newark will host a special remembrance football match aimed at educating children and honouring past wartime peace efforts.
Francis Towndrow outlined the event, explaining, "We have our friends coming over from our twinning town, Emmendingem, which is Southwest Germany," for a match symbolic of the 1914 Christmas truce when soldiers put aside war to play football in no man's land.
The match, referred to as the 'Peace Game,' acknowledges historic events where peace was embraced during brutal wartime conditions.
Francis explained how the game is an opportunity for children to learn and remember soldiers from the area who fought in the war. Francis said: "It's a chance for learning about what happened during The Great War.
"Despite the horrors and huge loss of life, it's a matter of learning about what happened to our gentlemen".
Francis shares how a soldier from Newark, William Sedgefield, played in the 1914 Christmas truce match in the trenches.
Before kickoff, which is scheduled for 2 PM on 7th November, the symbolic exchange of an all-leather football between captains will take place as a nod to the past.
Francis added why the game has significant importance. He said: "The game is all about peace and what happened between nations on Christmas Day 1914 when war was put aside and peace was embraced".
In line with Armistice customs, the event will also feature a bugle playing the last post followed by a minute's silence to remember all those who died.
Towndrow hopes the match will show children that "wars end finally and that peace will follow."