A FASCINATING exhibition, which chronicles how World War One disrupted the lives of Ramsbottom residents in unexpected and dramatic ways, opens in the town next month.

The exhibition, organised by Ramsbottom Heritage Society, will be opened on Sunday, June 8, at 2pm by Colonel Brian Gorski, chairman of the Fusilier Museum in Bury.

The new exhibition, entitled Ramsbottom’s Response, is being staged at the Heritage Gallery, located upstairs at the library in Carr Street.

Chairman of Ramsbottom Heritage Society, Kate Slingsby said: “This exhibition shows how Ramsbottom men, some underage, left the mills and buses to fight and a woman who followed her husband to war, to nurse and died in Egypt.

“Women and children at home raised money, packed parcels for the troops, looked after Belgian refugees and nursed the wounded soldiers returning from war. Everyone from Ramsbottom responded with courage and resourcefulness and this exhibition tells their story.”

World War One planes, the battle of the Somme and life in the trenches will be shown on film and one of the most unusual exhibits is a preserved thrush which died after a Zeppelin raid on Ramsbottom.

The exhibition will run for two years, and on its opening day will be open from noon to 3pm. It can be visited during library opening hours every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am to 7.30pm, and each Saturday from 9.30am to 1pm.

It is also open the second Sunday of every month from noon to 3pm, using the side entrance only.

More information is available by visiting ramsbottomheritage.org.uk or by telephoning 01706 281998.