A PROJECT mapping the experiences of people in the North-East during the First World War will come to a triumphant end.

Over the last four years the interactive website, Durham at War, has allowed visitors to explore County Durham’s war experiences like never before.

Durham County Council was awarded £475,100 by Heritage Lottery Fund to set up the site, working in partnership with Durham County Record Office, the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Collection and Archaeology team.

The active stage of the project is set to end in December but the website – durhamatwar.org.uk – will still be live in the 2020s.

The website went live on September 10, 2014, a date chosen specifically to mark the 100th anniversary of the day DLI soldiers arrived in France in 1914, and has continued to be run by more than 250 volunteers.

It has helped to paint a picture of the war effort, both on the front line and the home front, in County Durham between 1914 and 1918.

The aim of the project was to create a collaborative map where people could search thousands of documents, people, audio and objects in a new way, as well as upload their own findings and ‘pin’ them to the online map.

Gill Parkes, the council’s principal archivist, said: “It’s been an absolute triumph, the site has not only succeeded in capturing previously unknown First World War material, but in capturing the imagination of volunteers, residents and visitors to the site. We would like to say a special thank you to our volunteers, who have researched and contributed so much to produce this remarkable local insight.”

The Durham at War team is now inviting members of the public to their third and final conference Lest We Forget, on September 29, celebrating the volunteers who have contributed to the site and marking the final year of the project with a special day at County Hall.

At this year’s conference there will be the chance to hear from accomplished historian and presenter, Andy Robertshaw, with his talk Unexpected Victory: How did the Great War really end?

Mr Robertshaw was lead historical consultant for Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of War Horse and historical advisor on the 2017 film Wonder Woman. He is a regular consultant and on-screen expert for a host of TV and radio shows including Time Team and Who Do You Think You Are, and has spearheaded numerous archaeological investigations along the Western Front.

As well as different speakers, authors, historians, archaeologists and volunteers will also be presenting the work they have developed over the past four years.

Jo Vietzke, volunteer coordinator, said: “Come and see the work of local groups and Durham at War volunteers. Read about the county’s Victoria Cross winners, unexpected First World War stories and find out about forthcoming commemorative events in October and November.”

Other speakers will talk about identifying bodies from the battlefield after 100 years, medical provision around the Battle of the Somme, women during the war, new techniques for uncovering First World War archaeology and more.

The day will also include film showings, including the new film In the Pink, made by Evenwood, Ramshaw and District History Society in association with Crackin Toast. The film explores the lives of men and women from the Gaunless Valley during the First World War. A trailer for Behind the Lines, a film made by Tudhoe and Spennymoor Local History Society, will also be shown.

All of the events can be enjoyed over cake, as visitors are invited to get creatively commemorative in the kitchen by entering a poppy-themed bake off.

Entries can be poppy shaped, decorated with poppies or flavoured with poppy seeds. Entries will be judged and eaten by conference attendees on the day.

Events take place between 9am and 4pm, with talks starting at 10am in the Council Chamber.

The day is ticketed at £5 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at recordofficeshop.durham.gov.uk