This weekend Westgate Hall invites Canterbury to explore this historic building and learn something about the world which created it.
Gateways' Mark Connelly, Professor of Modern British History at the University of Kent, will give a presentation on The Buffs and the Territorial Army in Canterbury at 2.30 on Saturday. WW1 saw the Hall used by the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles and the 4th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (the Buffs). Gateway's Dr Sam Carroll will also be at the event and will be happy to discuss First World War research and project ideas.
Stories and Memorabilia: Over this coming weekend, please consider sharing your family’s WW1 stories in the Story Corner. Capturing memories of family and daily life, the world beyond official histories, and recording these for future generations is a major part of this project.
David Parker, expert at the Canterbury Auction Galleries, will help identify your WW1 memorabilia from 10AM.
Photos: Please bring photos of your local WW1 memorials to help the Canterbury Society’s War Memorials Project, part of a national project to repair, protect and conserve war memorials; photos of Canterbury and life in the city before and during WW1; photos of military life, particularly any of the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles and the 4th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (the Buffs).
Bringing this world alive. Scrambling through a recreated WW1 trench– thanks to “Blue” Cooper, former Pioneer Sergeant of the Queen’s Regiment – will help bring some of this world alive as will WW1 weapons on loan from Dover Castle. Echoes from the Kent Coast, local recollections of WW1 captured by Folkestone-based Screen South (25 mins) will be shown on a loop. Penny Legg and Martyn Barr will have their WW1 books with them and are looking forward to talking about their work. Simon Langton Boy’s Grammar is sharing its four volume scrapbook compiled during the war for viewing and preparing biographies of some of the boys who fell during the war.
There will be a WW1 fundraiser quiz for SSAFA, the Armed Services charity, at the Hall on Saturday evening (doors open at 7PM for 7.30PM start) compiled by SSAFA and University of Kent history students. Come and take part.
The U3A Ukulele Band will set the tone with a selection of WW1 melodies and songs at midday on Saturday.
The Hall’s WW1 themed cafe will serve light refreshments throughout the day.
For further information and a full programme please visit Westgate Hall's website.
