On 10 September 2017, Flanders (Belgium) hosted again Heritage Day, its biggest one-day cultural event. The event was organized by Herita and supported by CO₇. Both organisations engage in and support activating heritage for all ages. For 29 years, this event has created the opportunity to open heritage treasures to the public all over Flanders, all free of charge. Each year considerable numbers of local and international visitors visit well and lesser-known monuments, historic landscapes, archaeological sites and other immovable heritage.

This year the CWGC participated for the first time – using Colne Valley Cemetery, located north of the town of Ieper, to show the vital work that goes on behind the scenes to care for the graves of those who died in two world wars. This cemetery directly faced the German front line during the First World War and holds the graves of 47 fallen soldiers.

On Heritage Day the CWGC encouraged families to visit the cemetery and use a specially prepared interactive booklet for children. The booklet is aimed at children aged 6 to 8, and helps them and their families discover the story of the First World War, Colne Valley Cemetery, and the work of the CWGC in caring for the memory of those who died. One family could win an exclusive visit to the CWGC workshops.

On the day, CWGC craftsmen demonstrated the many aspects of maintaining the CWGC cemeteries, including engraving specialists and gardeners. The large-scale restoration project that was carried out in 2015 to protect the cemetery from flooding was also explained.

Please find below some photos:


































  Page made by Filip Van Loo.