the road to war - events programme
DESCRIPTION
Experience Barnsley Museum & Discovery Centre marks the centenary of the First World War with the exhibition 'The Road to War' and a programme of events, including free children's activities, family history surgeries, talks and rememberence services. View our programme of events here.TRANSCRIPT
AT THE TOWN HALLFREE ADMISSION
Open 7 days a week
The Road to WarMonday 22nd September 2014 – Sunday 11th January 2015Marking the centenary of the First World War, the first in a series of three exhibitions at Experience Barnsley tells the story of the First World War through the eyes of local people. The exhibition explores the first year of the conflict, looking at local recruitment and the fever of call-up for Barnsley’s soldiers. Most people thought it would be over by Christmas.
Further exhibitions in 2016 and 2018 will follow their journey, through call up to armistice and discover how the war affected their lives and the lives of their families at home.
First World War – Family History surgeriesWednesday 24th September, Wednesday 22nd October, Wednesday 19th November & Wednesday 17th DecemberDid you have an ancestor who fought? Are you interested in finding out more about them using online resources? Not sure where to start? Book a free 30 minute session with a member of the Archives team to gain one-to-one advice on how to start your research.
Create a Wire Poppy SculptureSaturday 27th September Help us to create a poignant spectacle for the Town Hall gardens for Remembrance Sunday. Create a wire poppy sculpture with artists Faceless and contribute to our Remembrance field of poppies.> 10am–12pm or 1pm–3pm
Tracing First World War AncestorsMonday 29th September & Saturday 22nd NovemberThousands of digitised military records are now available online, allowing the public to piece together the career of a First World War soldier ancestor. This talk delivered by an experienced genealogist, introduces researchers to these records and analyses how to get the best out of them.> 7pm (29th September)> 11am (22nd November)
The Road to War – Hands on HistorySaturday 11th October & Saturday 8th NovemberDrop into two special afternoons where you can handle original documents and letters from the First World War archives in the Discovery Centre.> 1pm–3pm
The Barnsley PalsSaturday 11th OctoberA special talk by author Roni Wilkinson exploring the recruitment, training and ‘going over the top’ for the local men who became the 13th and 14th Battalions, York and Lancaster Regiment – 1st and 2nd, Barnsley Pals. Supported by Pen and Sword books.> 11am
The Great War SocietySaturday 11th OctoberCome along to Barnsley Pals Centenary Square and meet Tommies from the First World War, discover what life was really like for those young men recruited for battle.Members of the Great War Society dress in period uniforms and equipment, learn the drill, and undertake the training and everyday activities of the time, to give you a small taste of what it felt like to take part in the war to end all wars.> 10am–4pm
The Somme 1916, Serre and the Barnsley PalsSaturday 18th OctoberHear about the experiences of soldiers from Barnsley in one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the First World War in this special talk by expert Nigel Caves. Supported by Pen and Sword books.> 11am
The Christmas TruceSaturday 18th OctoberCome along and meet children’s author, Hilary Robinson, who will tell the true story of the Christmas Truce, when in 1914, German and British soldiers put down their weapons and played football together. Hilary writes books that are fun, books that help reading and books that are loved by children throughout the world. > 2pm–3pm, Age 7+
New Thoughts on British War Resisters 1914 – 1918Saturday 8th NovemberHear a fascinating talk by Cyril Pearce (University of Leeds) who has been working on the history of war resisters to create a national picture of British conscientious objectors. Now the Pearce Register of British Conscientious Objectors, the database is part of the Imperial War Museum’s ‘Lives of the First World War’ digital platform. Material from the database forms the basis for his new book, ‘Communities of Resistance: Patterns of Dissent in First World War Britain’, to be published in 2015. His talk will be an introduction to some of its new ideas.
> 11am
RememberTuesday 11th NovemberWe invite you to remember all those who gave their lives during conflict and to observe two minutes silence at 11am at the war memorial in front of the Town Hall. In the gardens you will see over 100 wire poppies, made by local schools and members of the public to commemorate the fallen.> 11am
Wartime Family ChristmasSaturday 20th December – Tuesday 23rd DecemberTake a step back in time and recreate Christmas during the war. Discover how families celebrated this festive period during wartime and make your own creative decorations.> 11am–1pm
FREE*EXPERIENCE BARNSLEY PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
*All activities are FREE but booking is advised.
