War at Wrest Park

PICTURE BY JIM HOLDEN English Heritge - Wrest Park Silsoe, nr Luton UK

Published on 02/08/2012 10:03

TRAVEL back in time at Wrest Park as history comes to life to recreate the bloody days of World War I this month.

Wrest Park was converted into a hospital to treat ‘tommies’ sent home from the trenches and horror of battle during World War I, and visitors to the park will be given an insight into what it was like to live through this.

On Bank Holiday Weekend, the mansion, terraces and grounds will take on a poignant wartime atmosphere when recuperating soldiers, nurses and other Edwardian gentlefolk will mingle with visitors to recreate this fascinating chapter in Wrest Park’s history.

There will be period living history displays, an exhibition of wartime images and scrap books, the opportunity for visitors to get expert advice on tracing their ancestry, and even a visit from the remarkable FANYs (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry).

Visitors can find out about ‘The Music Hall’s Recruitment Drive’, when, with the outbreak of the First World War, music halls found themselves at the heart of the military recruitment drive and watch short presentations and sketches portraying serious issues including what happened if you are wounded to hearing what jokes were told on the somme.

Each weekend in August in the run up to the major bank holiday event, visitors will be treated to a snapshot of life during the Great War as a ‘tommy’ recalls life at the front and a nurse recaptures the daily toil of caring for the 1600 wounded men who passed through the wards at Wrest Park.

Young ‘recruits’ can test their mettle as they are put through their paces at a training camp, complete with obstacle course and drill

Normal admission prices apply – Adults £8.50, concessions £7.70, children £5.10, family ticket £22.10.

For the WWI: Wrest at War! weekend from August 26 - 27, 11am - 5pm, tickets for adults £10.00, concessions £9.00, children £6.00, family ticket £26.00 Early Bird tickets available (up until Thursday 23rd August) for a discounted price (10% off) Adult £9.00, concessions £8.10, Children £5.40, family ticket £23.40 – Purchase your tickets today using our online system www.english-heritage.org.uk or by calling our dedicated Ticket Sales Team on 0870 333 1183 (Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30 Sat 9am – 5pm). Tickets will also be available to purchase at the event site on the day.

Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrestpark for more information.

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War at Wrest Park

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