CHARD’S war heroes took centre stage as a play retelling their true stories appeared at the Guildhall.

The show, A Kiss Card from Walter, was performed by Chard Local Kids Society (CLOKS) and Chard Concert Brass, written specially for them by Chard residents June and Dave Walsham.

Among the audience members on Saturday was 100-year-old Greta Board, whose dad is a character in the play.

At the centre of the play was the editor of Chard and Ilminster News, as the paper played an integral part in informing the town of what stories was unfolding overseas.

Together, June and Dave researched for the play by interviewing families in the town who have letters and photographs dating back to the First World War.

Gloria Johnson of CLOKS said: “A Kiss Card from Walter is a project set in Chard in Somerset in the First World War. It links the people of the past to the present, and links the local youth theatre group in a project with the local brass band.

“Back in the day, when there were no mobile phones or texts, no WhatsApp or Facebook, when soldiers went to war the only way to keep in touch with loved ones back at home was by letters.

“Our play’s title is taken from the kiss card that was carried between Kitty and Walter Stacey as he fought in France on the front line, while she lived on in Chard.

“Kitty’s letter to Walter had a scrap of lace attached to it –lace which she tenderly kissed before the letter was sealed. Lace that Walter held to his own lips when it reached him in the rain sodden desolation of the trenches. Lace holding a memory of Kitty’s tears and a trace of her kiss for him.”

More than 200 costumes helped to transport audience members into 1914 along with the lighting, sound and set.

Mrs Johnson added: “In collaboration with Chard Concert Brass, this is a show that will become part of Chard’s history.

“Produced and directed by Maria Farey, this show will be moving, honest and at times extremely sad but this group of delightfully talented young people will also find a way of bringing out the happiness, comradeship and love from within these stories.”

“Despite having GCSEs and A Levels around this time, our cast members have showed commitment and loyalty to this society, which it is clear to see they all love being a part of.

“For the main characters this will be their last show because they are going off to university and employment – some have been with CLOKS since it started 10 years ago.”