Over the next four years, First World War commemorative events will take place to commemorate those who died, those who fought and to acknowledge the contribution the village made to the war effort. Entry to these events is free, but donations would be welcomed and will be divided between The Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes and Combat Stress.
2014
“Reflections: flowers of commemoration to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War”More information
2nd–4th August in All Saints Church Hoby; Frisby Flower Club, Hoby flower arrangers and Brooksby students staged “Reflections: flowers of commemoration to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War” that reflect upon a most difficult time in the history of our country.
A cottage kitchen circa 1914, typical of those found in Hoby at the time of the First World Warmore information
2nd–4th August in All Saints Church Hoby; a team from Hoby & District Local History Society recreated a cottage kitchen circa 1914, typical of those found in Hoby at the time of the First World War.
War artists More information
2nd–4th August in All Saints Church Hoby, a copy of Frank Brangwyn’s “Britain’s Call to Arms” has been produced by The Hoby Art Group.
United Service of commemoration
4th August at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hoby, a United Service of commemoration to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War took place. Download a copy of the service august 4th service
FOR KING & COUNTRY Hoby Remembers Those Who Served in the First World WarMore information
Hoby & District Local History Society have produced a commemorative book containing details of villagers who were killed in action, details of those who fought and came home again and those who kept the home fires burning.
“Oh! What A Lovely War”
7th August at 7.30pm, Hoby & District Village Hall will show “Oh! What A Lovely War” the classic 1969 film, based upon the stage musical of the same name. With a star studded cast, the film presents a bitterly ironic view of the conduct of the war as it follows members of the Smith family who go off to war.
2015
Hoby’s Great War – Theatrical Interpretation 16th May:
As part of the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the first death of a Hoby resident engaged in the War, we are presenting a Multi-Media theatical interpretation about how the Hoby community was affected during WW1. Performed in the church with scenes in the church, pubs, chapel, institute, farms, school, shops, street, houses, river and fields. There will be stories Photographs Music Films Poems showing how this community was affected.
Muffled peal of bells:More information
A muffled peal of bells sounded from All Saints Church Hoby on the 100th anniversary of the death of each person who died in action, beginning on 19th May 2015.
Forget-me not Exhibition 23rd-25th May:More information
The aim of this is to capture the stories of the people who live in Hoby now about what their ancestors did in the First World War. We already know there are some fascinating tales out there and we want to collect together as many of them as we can to make our exhibition a real tribute to them all. What ever their relationship to you and what ever they did we want to hear about them. Did they serve in the forces, were they in reserve occupations, or on the home front nursing, farming, working in jobs left by the men, knitting socks, raising funds?
To put these into some context we also want to have some descriptive panels on various aspects of that time. Eg Panels about Recruitment Fairs, Medical Supply Depots, Remounting centres all occurred around Hoby. In addition we would want to cover reserve occupations, the impact on farming, VADs, etc.
2016
Jutland remembered:More Information
At the end of May 2016 a series of events were held at Brooksby Hall to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Jutland.
More InformationVillage Trail
Remembering all from the village who went off to the war during 1914-1918 and those who did not return
2017
“Hoby Entertains Again: Curtain’s up – 100 years late” Hoby & District Village Hall, Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September at 7.30pm More Information
In 1917 a crowded, enthusiastic audience in the village of Hoby enjoyed an evening of light entertainment to raise funds for the Mayor of Leicester’s £100,000 Fund created for local wounded soldiers.
The positive newspaper reviews said it should be repeated again in the neighbourhood. So, 100 years late, the Hoby & District History Society is doing just that on two evenings in September.
April: “Forget-me not Exhibition” is published as a booklet.More information
From 23rd to 25th May 2015, as part of Hoby’s First World War commemorations, an exhibition called Forget Me Not was staged in All Saints Church Hoby. It honoured the role that the ancestors of Hoby residents and members of the Hoby & District Local History Society played in the First World War. Family archives were scoured, war time memorabilia dusted off, relatives interviewed and their ancestors’ stories told by their sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchild, great nieces and great nephews, were produced.
This booklet is a record of the Forget Me Not exhibition.
2018
11th November: A “meat tea” for all the village to market the end of the First World War
During our research we found information on how the village commemorated the end of the First World War. We plan to stage a similar event after the Remembrance Day Service for today’s residents.