12th October 1940

The day will be set in the imaginary village of Combourwick. The children will be given their identities early in the morning. They will either be the children of shopkeepers or evacuees. They will retain that identity throughout the day. Teachers and adult helpers will also have an identity.

The Morning:  Schoolroom
12th October 1940: During the morning the schoolroom recreation is set in a village classroom, soon after the beginning of the Blitz.

History Off the Page will bring all the materials needed to recreate a 1940s classroom in the hall. The atmosphere will be created by darkening the room and normally using an oil lamp for light. The tables will be covered with brown paper to protect them from the ink. Half of the time children will use slates and half of the time metal tipped pens. During the morning the children will hear news of the impending invasion and what they should do, as well as news from London. For example, the children will be expected to react to the news that the Germans have dropped a bomb on St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The Afternoon:  Shopping
The afternoon session involves shopping in the “village”. The shops will be:

• The Cobbler                         
• Printer
• General Grocer
• Bicycle Shop
• Post Office
• Ironmonger
• Chemist
• Carpenter

In addition, there will be a Bank and a Tea Room.

The village shops will be created by using two screens per shop. Each screen has the image of the interior of that particular shop printed on it. The children will be provided with ID cards and ration books.

Details of this and further information about the day are included in a booklet which is sent out prior to a booking.

All the History Off the Page providers are experienced teachers and storytellers who enjoy working with large groups of children.  Generally, there will be at least one story told during the day.

For more information contact us...