Commemorating 100 years since one
of history's bloodiest battles.
Private
James Stuart Swift
wrote to his wife Alice
on 27 June 1916.
24 AUGUST –
20 NOVEMBER
He wrote...
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We shall soon
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honeymoon...I do
.
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long befor
er, aged 31.
James was killed just 4 days lat
Exhibition at
Experience Barnsley
FREE ADMISSION
Experience Barnsley
Museum & Discovery Centre
Barnsley Town Hall, S70 2TA
01226 772 500
@EBMuseum
www.experience-barnsley.com
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
STORIES OF THE SOMME
Wednesday 24 August – Sunday 20 November
Marking the centenary of the First
World War, this exhibition tells the
story of the bloodiest battle in the
British Army's history through the eyes
of local people. The Battle of the Somme
raged from 1 July to 18 November in 1916,
it was a terrifying, hard struggle and
Barnsley's men and boys were at the
forefront of the fight.
REMEMBERING THE GREAT WAR WRITING COMPETITION
Running throughout the exhibition
Do you love writing? Are you
between 6 and 11 years old? Then
we have a competition just for you.
Write a short story or poem about
the First World War and you could
win a prize in association with
Barnsley Libraries and children’s
author Hilary Robinson. Entry forms
are available at the museum and
on the website.
Prizes will be awarded at a special
storytelling and prize-giving event
with Hilary Robinson on Saturday
12 November.
TALK: THE SOMME AND THE HOME
FRONT WITH LINDA HUTTON
Monday 12 September • 7pm
Join the Friends of Archives at
their evening talk on the Somme
and the home front.
£3 admission – tickets available
on the door.
TALK: STORIES AND HISTORIES
WITH HISTORIAN TIM LYNCH
Saturday 17 September • 11am
July 2016 is the anniversary of
the infamous battle of the Somme.
A great deal will be said about the
battle and a huge amount will, very
simply, be wrong. This talk looks
at the myths around the battle and
describes what really happened.
Free, donations welcome.
THE GREAT WAR ON TOUR
Saturday 17 September and
Saturday 22 October • 11am–3pm
Try on wartime costumes, enjoy
hands-on craft activities, handle
original First World War objects,
and find out more about the King’s
Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
during the First World War. Visit
www.doncaster1914-18.org.uk
for more details.
Free, donations welcome.
TALK: FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT :
FAITH AT THE SOMME
Saturday 1 October • 11am
The true meaning of the First World
War to those who experienced
it cannot be fully appreciated
without an understanding of the
importance of the Christian faith to
that generation. From the religious
symbolism and wording on war
memorials, to the prayers offered
up by combatants and civilians,
Christianity was at the very heart
of the Battle of the Somme.
Author John Broom will offer an
alternative perspective on the
battle in this interesting talk.
Free, donations welcome.
TALK: THE FAMILY BUDGET A ROUND ROBIN OF LETTERS
WRITTEN BY A BARNSLEY FAMILY
DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
Saturday 15 October • 11am
Between 1914 and 1919, when
they found themselves separated
by war and circumstance, seven
Elmhirst brothers and their young
sister circulated their intimate
and often entertaining letters.
Written from the family home in
Barnsley, from Cambridge, The
Somme, Gallipoli, Mesopotamia
and elsewhere, their letters capture
the contradictory emotions and
thoughts of young people caught
up in that momentous event.
Join Paul Elmhirst in his talk and
purchase your signed copy of the
remarkable book ‘The Family Budget’.
Free, donations welcome.
FAMILY HISTORY SURGERIES
Wednesday 19 October
Did you have an ancestor who fought
in World War One, perhaps even at
the Battle of the Somme? Are you
interested in finding out more about
them using online resources but 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.
Free, booking essential
01226 773950
HANDS ON HISTORY WORLD WAR ONE
Tuesday 8 November • 10am–6.30pm
Drop in to the Archives Discovery
Centre, where you can handle
original documents and letters
from our First World War archives.
REMEMBRANCE
Friday 11 November and
Remembrance Sunday
Join us at the War Memorial at
Barnsley Town Hall for two minutes
silence at 11am to remember the
fallen. View the stunning artwork
commemorating those who died
during the Battle of the Somme,
created by local schools and artists
Musson & Retallick.
MEET THE FIRST WORLD
WAR TOMMIES
Saturday 12 November
Find out what life was really like
for young British soldiers serving
on the front line during the Somme
in this living history event. Meet
Tommies dressed in period clothing,
get hands on with a soldier’s daily
kit, and discover more about the
dangers faced during the war.
Remembering the Great War – come
along to view the prize-giving for
our Creative Writing Competition.
HEAR MY VOICE: COLLABORATIVE
POEM WITH IAN MCMILLAN
Monday 14 November • 5pm–7pm
A creative writing workshop with
Ian McMillan at Barnsley Town Hall.
Explore the Stories from the Somme
and collaborate with him to create a
poem to commemorate
the great battle.
Free, booking essential
01226 772500.