The village postman, delivering letters and postcards sent from the front line of conflict, was a familiar sight in countless communities during the First World War.

Almost one hundred years on, the postman with his bag full of messages yearning for home will return to Silsden during the commemorative weekend hosted by Silsden Local History Group on August 8th-10th.

He will be a central figure at two evening performances of “The Path Across The Heather”, a unique production of drama, poetry, readings and music, featuring real characters and events from local life during 1914-18. The original letters he brings will reveal a moving story of love and loss.

Receiving the letters will be the women of the Home Front who met at Silsden Town Hall almost every day throughout the war, knitting socks, wrapping Christmas parcels and raising funds. The script is based on research by Cathy Liddle and performed by her fellow members in the Local History Group.

There will also be a revival by Silsden Community Productions of ‘The Masqueraders’, a local group of singers and comedy artistes which entertained wounded soldiers from 1916 onwards. This section of the evening is devised and directed by David Hardman.

“The Path Across The Heather” is one of several events, involving a range of community groups, that will take place during the August weekend at Silsden Town Hall. The chief attraction is a major exhibition called “Silsden’s Story In The Great War”, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Keighley Area Panel.

A children’s corner will include toys loaned by Craven and Grassington Museums and musical tributes will come from Silsden Town Band, Silsden Singers and Steeton Male Voice Choir.

Tickets for “The Path Across the Heather” are on sale at Twiggs newsagent. All other events have free admission.