A MOVING, high-profile and artistic commemoration of the Battle of the Somme, supported by the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, has been voted the UK’s Best Heritage project.

Cold Feet star Hermione Norris surprised some of the team from behind the unique event with the news ‘We’re here because we’re here’ had won its category at this year’s National Lottery Awards, the annual search for the nation’s favourite Lottery-funded good causes.

The event, commissioned by 14-18-NOW, beat off competition from 1,300 entries to win a £5,000 cash prize and an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and will have its work celebrated on a special BBC One show later this month.

On Friday, 1 July 2016, people were stopped in their tracks by the unexpected appearance of 1,400 volunteers dressed as soldiers in full World War One uniform in town centres and various locations across the UK. This visual arts experience marked the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in history.

Hermione said: “We’re here because we’re here’ really captured the public’s imagination on a day of national significance: the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. It created a modern day mix of heritage, visual arts and theatre to serve as a reminder of sacrifices made by British soldiers a century ago.”

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