WILLITON'S plans to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War One have been boosted after organisers scooped a lottery grant worth almost £8,000. The money awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to the local branch of the Royal British Legion means the commemorations will provide a tribute involving both young and old and create a legacy for future generations. The project - given the banner of 'Williton Remembers WW1' - will have four elements, including researching the history of the casualties of the 1914-18 conflict whose names are recorded on the village's war memorial. Legion members will also visit Williton's schools, with special educational packs produced for local youngsters and a series of competitions organised. In addition, there will be an exhibition, showcasing the information gathered, alongside a visit from a touring exhibition put together by the Somerset Heritage Centre. Photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters, photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down, will be collected to build a picture of what life was like for the men who served and the people left behind. And the stories told and the pictures painted will be captured in a time capsule to be buried within Williton's war memorial garden. But the culmination of the project will be a day of commemoration on September 20, with a range of activities on the Memorial Ground, including a service and a concert. The project is being supported by Williton Parish Council and the Quantock Academy, which includes St Peter's First School and Danesfield Middle School. The grant - £7,800 in total - has come from the HLF's First World War: then and now programme and will enable local people to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of those who lived through the war. Williton RBL chairman Bert Pearson said the branch was thrilled to have received the support of the HLF. "We are looking forward to bringing something very special to the people of Williton," he said. And Williton Parish Council chairman Cllr Robert McDonald, who was involved in bringing a project to give Watchet a dedicated war memorial, which was unveiled last month, said he welcomed the grant support. "It will enable us to provide a fitting commemoration of the start of the First World War and an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by the people of the parish," he said. Head of the HLF South West Nerys Watts said the organisation had already invested more than £57 million in projects to help mark the global centenary. "The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond," she said. "With our small grants programme we are enabling even more communities like those involved in 'Williton Remembers WW1' to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people from West Somerset broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world." Guy Morgan, whose father Frank has been a member of the RBL for 66 years and is still president of the Williton branch, is helping to co-ordinate the project. He said the details of the day of commemoration, in particular, were still at the planning stage but it promised to be an impressive occasion. But he said organisers were appealing for as many people as possible to come forward with memorabilia and artefacts, as well as volunteers to help out with the many different aspects of the project. "It is quite something to have secured this grant and we really want to make sure the project is a success," he said. "We need people's help in all sorts of ways, from carrying out the archive research to going out and recording the stories and memories. "We've got a steering group which is co-ordinating the various elements of the project but we definitely need more volunteers." Anyone willing to help or loan items of memorabilia can contact Mr Morgan on 01984 632149 or email [email protected]">[email protected].