A school in Hyndburn is being transformed back in time a century after receiving more than £9,000 in Lottery funding for a First World War project.
Around 40 youngsters at Broadfield Specialist School in Oswaldtwistle will work with local artists and historians to investigate what life was like for young people left ‘Home Alone’ as their fathers and brothers went to war.
The project includes working with Blackburn Museum staff and visits to the Imperial War Museum North and Bridgewater Hall in Manchester for a First World War concert by the Halle Orchestra.
Key Stage Three pupils at the Fielding Lane school will also learn about what food was available and grown during the period and work with textiles artist Sue Lawty to produce a themed tapestry.
Ceramic replicas of medals and commemorative pottery will also be created as well as a floral tribute and wreath in memory of the Accrington Pals.
Headteacher Mrs Angela Banner welcomed the support from the Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out the activities.
She said: “This project is a real learning experience for our young people who have been touched by the sounds, words, colours and especially the feelings of those left ‘Home Alone’ in the First World War.”
The works will be displayed at the Haworth Art Gallery from Saturday, March 22 as part of a First World War and Pals exhibition and will be opened by Hyndburn MP Graham Jones.
The wreath will then be taken by Hyndburn Mayor Judith Addison to the Pals memorial in Serre, France later this year.
Drama students at the school will also perform the story of the Christmas Day truce in 1914 which saw British and German soldiers play a football match.
A DVD of the performance will be produced and also shown as part of the Haworth exhibit.
