Communities are bound together by a thousand ties; ties of memory, of shared experience, of joy, triumph and trauma.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Northern Ireland. The lengthy and difficult process of reconciliation that began a quarter-century ago continues to offer challenges and opportunities.

In the idyllic Co Down village of Rostrevor, the Men’s Shed is seen as a natural extension of – and adornment to – the local community. It’s perhaps unsurprising that, when the local Church of Ireland sought to highlight a forgotten aspect of local history, the Men’s Shed was its first port of call.

This November, communities across the globe will commemorate the centenary of the Armistice that brought an end to World War I after four years of mass slaughter.

Rostrover and the War

One hundred and thirty men and women from the village of Rostrevor served during the conflict, 22 of them losing their lives. Today, more than 90% of Rostrevor’s population belongs to the Catholic community, and the impact of the Great War on the community has been somewhat forgotten.

“There was very little awareness of the village’s role in the war,” says Gethin Hughes, PRO of Rostrevor Men’s Shed. “I suppose, with the way history and segregation played out, it wasn’t really to the fore in people’s minds.”

Although the Church of Ireland congregation is small, the members of the shed leapt at the chance to get involved in a cross-community project.

“Sheila from the church asked the shed to get involved in creating silhouettes of Tommies [WWI British soldiers] to place in the pews of the church, representing those who lost their lives,” recalls Gethin.

“It’s something that’s gained popularity in England, but the silhouettes you buy are quite expensive, so the church thought it was something we might be able to take on as a community project. We were delighted to help.”

Gethin’s pride in the project was shared by his shedmates: “It was something everyone lent a hand to,” he says. “Literally everyone in the shed was involved in creating the silhouettes. We discovered that one member’s grandfather had himself served in the war but again it was something that was never really spoken about in the years afterwards.”

The Tommy silhouettes made their debut at a commemorative service in Kilbroney Parish Church late in October. The church was packed to the rafters for the occasion, with members of all communities present and local councillors, dignitaries and BBC Northern Ireland also in attendance.

Gethin describes the effect when the house lights were dimmed and the outlines of the spectral silhouettes lit up: “It was a poignant moment. Just fantastic. The whole congregation just gasped.”

The shed is steeped in local history, much of it uncovered by member John McCavitt, who’s involved with the local historical society. Its current premises, which the shed took over in a derelict state and has completely renovated, also has a connection to World War I.

“It belonged to the Ross family, who handed it over to help with the war effort. General Robert Ross, who burned the White House in Washington during the War of 1812, was born in Rostrevor.”

Gethin is confident that this process of commemoration will bring the community ever-closer together. That the shed was asked to participate speaks volumes for its stature within the community. The shed has recently been put forward for a Pride of Place Award, with the council seeking to source a substantial sum of money to make the shed fully accessible. With an eye to the past and a vision for a shared future, Rostrevor Men’s Shed is a prime example of the movement’s potential.