From 2015 onwards WAT were involved in leading and delivering 8 projects with schools and communities marking the centenary of the First World War.
As always, we tried to shed light on untold stories, forgotten voices and neglected narratives. While not ignoring the experiences of those who fought, we focussed on stories of women, children, families and conscientious objectors. We tried to reflect the experiences of those whose lives are too often forgotten and how the events of the War impacted on them.
As always, we tried to shed light on untold stories, forgotten voices and neglected narratives. While not ignoring the experiences of those who fought, we focussed on stories of women, children, families and conscientious objectors. We tried to reflect the experiences of those whose lives are too often forgotten and how the events of the War impacted on them.
During the projects WAT worked closely with a number of universities, most notably Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Leeds, the University of Nottingham and the University of Bedfordshire.
We’re very proud of the quality, range and diversity of the work we and our partners experienced together. Here are just a few examples.
We’re very proud of the quality, range and diversity of the work we and our partners experienced together. Here are just a few examples.
An On-site Experience
Children from Bakewell Infants had a fascinating day exploring the history of the National Trust's Longshaw, near Sheffield, Derbyshire.
Longshaw Lodge was a military hospital during WW1.
Longshaw Lodge was a military hospital during WW1.
A Lasting Legacy
Working with Brookfield School, Shirebrook, Derbyshire, WAT explored the impact of grief and loss through a brand new play - Daisies on the Cross - set in 1919, soon after the end of WW1.
The play referenced the Langwith Munitions Factory disaster of 1918 in which three young women – Dorothy Brown, Elsie May Garrett and Ethel Gorrill – were killed. The factory was top secret and as a result the event was not reported and is little remembered. The three women were buried, in unmarked graves, beside each other in Shirebrook Cemetery.
The Mayor of Bolsover saw the play and was so moved and inspired that he pushed to have gravestones erected for the three young women.
The play referenced the Langwith Munitions Factory disaster of 1918 in which three young women – Dorothy Brown, Elsie May Garrett and Ethel Gorrill – were killed. The factory was top secret and as a result the event was not reported and is little remembered. The three women were buried, in unmarked graves, beside each other in Shirebrook Cemetery.
The Mayor of Bolsover saw the play and was so moved and inspired that he pushed to have gravestones erected for the three young women.
The involvement of relatives of the young women was particularly poignant.
Books
Many of the projects produced a book. Here is one example from our 2016 project with Grassmoor Primary School in Derbyshire. A free copy of the book was given to every family with a child at the school.
