A MOVING performance outlining the ordeal faced by conscientious objectors during the First World War will be given in Haworth next week.

Peace campaigner and storyteller Simon Heywood will bring to life the often forgotten tales of 'conchies', who took a stance against combat during the conflict, suffering the consequences after being branded as cowards and traitors.

He will draw on first-hand accounts, letters, diaries and memoirs for the event, being hosted by Worth Valley Storytelling Guild.

"Their memory has been neglected and they are still dismissed as cranks but every conscientious objector had to learn to account for his choices and tell his own story," said Mr Heywood.

"As their world collapsed, the 'conchies' embarked on a long, lonely and silent war against war itself.

"They suffered ridicule, torture and imprisonment and their stand split families and communities."

Out of the Silence is at West Lane Baptist Church next Friday, October 17, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available – priced £7, or £5 concessions – online at thestorytellingguild.org.uk/out-ofthe-silence/, by e-mailing adam@thestorytellingguild.org.uk or from Sonia's Smile and Oates & Wiles, both in Main Street, Haworth.