Delve Deep Into History at Frontline – a Fascinating Day of Guest Speakers and Behind-the-scenes Tours at SMGWA

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Do you want to know more about the history behind the headlines? Then make a date for Frontline: Faces and Spaces on Friday 9 October at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome. With three expert speakers, behind-the-scenes tours and a superb lunch, this is your chance to delve deeper into the stories and personalities of World War One.

Three fascinating speakers are lined up, with the first on the podium being Neil Bond – often seen at living history events in the guise of a Great War padre with a pocket full of boiled sweets at the ready. Ever since he was a boy and was given a set of World War One medals, Neil has been fascinated with the conflict and those who lived through it. At Frontline he will be talking about Army Chaplain Philip Byard Clayton who opened Talbot House in Belgium as a club for servicemen and a sanctuary from the horror of the trenches. Neil, who is Chair of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight branch of the Western Front Association, is a frequent visitor to Talbot House, now a museum.

The second speaker will be familiar to many as one of the hosts of Pete & Gary's Military History podcasts. Peter Hart is known for his humorous and occasionally irreverent recounting of wartime tales, and is sure to keep guests entertained witha rip-roaring talk about escape attempts from German POW Camps during WW1. A retired oral historian for the Imperial War Museum, Peter now leads battlefield tours in addition to podcasting and has published an extensive range of books on wartime subjects, including Beggar Me! I'm a Prisoner! British POWs in Germany, 1914-18.

After a delicious buffet lunch in the unique setting of the WW1 Airmen's Mess, guests will have the chance to handle some of the Accredited Museum's collection of wartime objects, before reconvening for the final guest speaker – Imperial War Museum Curator Sarah Paterson. An expert in World War One and prisoners of war, Sarah will be focusing on the escape story that features in the Museum's latest exhibition, The First Great Escape. How did 29 officers manage to escape from the notorious Holzminden prison camp aided by sharpened spoons? Sarah will reveal all. The packed whole-day event concludes with an up-close-and-personal tour of the aircraft hangars.

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: "Alongside the preservation of our unique site, one of our key roles is to educate visitors about the Aerodrome during its operational life, as well as the many related aspects of this fascinating period. Frontline provides a fantastic opportunity to listen to recognised experts in these fields, as well as get up close to our aircraft and collection of Great War objects."

Tickets to Frontline: Faces and Spaces are limited and must be purchased in advance, costing £35 (plus booking fee) including lunch.The entire site will be closed to other visitors during the event, to ensure the behind-the-scenes access that makes Frontline so special.

2/… Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Hackman's Lane, Purleigh CM3 6RN is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm, until 6 December, when we close for a short winter break. Children under 11 are free, and with fascinating exhibitions, historic aircraft, interactive cockpits, pedal planes and more, every member of the family will enjoy a great day out.For further details visit www.stowmaries.org.uk.

-ENDS-

Images are from previous events, please credit photographer as shown. For more information contact comms@stowmaries.org.uk