Promotion

First World War Centenary

publication date: Aug 4, 2014
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author/source: Anne Coates

IWM first world warAn obvious starting point for family activities to commemorate the centerary of the First World War is the Imperial War Museums (IWM) which include :

  • IWM London;
  • IWM North in Salford Quays;
  • IWM Duxford near Cambridge;
  • the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall, London;
  • HMS Belfast, moored in the Pool of London on the River Thames.

Family activities to inspire and educate can be found by searching the events calendar including:

At Salford Quays in Manchester there is a range of family activities.

Hayle Heritage Centre in Cornwall – a dedicated family day from 11 to 4pm (5 August), where visitors will learn how to make poppies and war medals.

In Northern Ireland, Grey Point Fort will hold a First World War weekend (4 to 5 August) with a gun salute to mark the centenary of Britain’s entry on the war 4 August.

At Ebbisham Square in Epsom meet a Tommy at the First World War living history event (9 August), with men and women of the 10th Essex Group. Take part in demonstrations and displays including children’s activities and cooking in the trenches.

Children will get a chance to communicate like First World War soldiers and officers at Dudmaston Estate. Trench Talk will teach families to spell a name using flags or send a secret message to friends using Morse code, telephones and pigeons. (24 August).

And everyone is encouraged to turn off the lights from 10 to 11 pm on Monday 4 August to mark the moment Great Britain joined the First World War.