ST MICHAEL and All Angels Church in Middlewich has been transformed into a display of commemoration to fallen First World War troops as part of the Great War Weekend.

Middlewich Town Council provided funding to the church and the St Michael's flower girls group went to work on decorating the church with a commemorative theme.

The group used floral tributes with Gladiolus, Roses and Red Carnations to show different shades of red as well as Union Jack flags and soldiers helmets.

Janet Chisholm, a member of the St Michaels flower girls, said: “This is our community 100 years on and it’s important to remember the community of 100 years ago.

“Some of these men from Middlewich who went to war were as young as 16 and it really brings it home what these young men went through.”

The display also sees a wooden cross, which was made in memory of a man who died during the First World War, act as the centre piece.

The cross is in memory of Sgt Arthur Sheppard who died in November 1915, and has been in the church for many years without anyone knowing why.

Gladys Robinson, who is also a long-time member of the St Michaels flower girls, has been researching the origins of the cross.

“It’s been there for as long as I can remember,” Gladys said.

“His name is on the cross and I always wondered who this soldier was. 

“I have been researching and apparently they used to put these crosses where these soldiers had died, but we want to find out more about him and hopefully find some distant relatives.”