Leighton Buzzard Writers’ First World War publication has reached the editing stage and is due to be launched on November 4.
The group started planning Between Worlds 1914-1918: An Anthology of Leighton Buzzard, Linslade and the Surrounding Area in the Great War, 18 months ago.
The launch venue will be Leighton Buzzard Library in Lake Street, with the date coinciding with the 96th anniversary of the death in action of the poet Wilfred Owen, a week before the Armistice.
A writers group spokesman said: “Between Worlds has been the biggest project ever undertaken by the writers group.
“But it belongs to the large number of people outside the organisation, for without their enthusiasm and active support, the anthology would not have been possible.
“It is truly a collective piece of work by the community tapping into its past of a century ago, when the world changed so dramatically for Leighton-Linslade and the world.”
The anthology consists of 47 pieces of work produced by local people: poems; short stories; non-fiction and items of factual information.
In addition Between Worlds will have more illustrations than previous anthologies and for the first time they will be in colour, all produced by Paul Couchman, a member of the writers group.
The spokesman added: “Even though there are many different authors, a common theme appears in all the pieces contributed: that of people coping with a war unprecedented in history and coming to terms with vast social and economic changes.
“Between Worlds is a remembrance of our community during four tumultuous years.”
> Do you have a family connection to WW1? Email news@lbobserverco.uk.
> Part two of our series of articles commemorating the centenary of the start of the First World War is on pages 24-26.