Experience wartime life at Weymouth's Nothe Fort (From Dorset Echo)
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Experience wartime life at Weymouth's Nothe Fort
12:00pm Saturday 16th February 2013 in News By Martin Lea
WARTIME LESSON: Dorset schoolchildren taking part in an Evacuee Experience event at the Nothe Fort in Weymouth - pictured with some real-life evacuees from Jersey who visited the area
THE clock will be turned back at a Weymouth attraction next week as families get to experience wartime life.
The Nothe Fort’s evacuee experience is usually run for schoolchildren studying the Second World War as part of the national curriculum.
But for half-term the educational and fun activities will be available for all the family.
People at the Nothe Fort say senior citizens in particular may find reliving this real-life experience fascinating.
It is also a good opportunity for teachers planning lessons and considering bringing school groups in the future to visit.
The Nothe Fort, which was commissioned in 1872, is a former garrison and coastal defence facility transformed into a tourist attraction. It is a registered charity and is operated by the Weymouth Civic Society.
Fort administrator Steven Booth said: “The Evacuee Experience is an event we run for primary school children but we have occasionally opened it up to others.
“The last time we did it about three years ago it proved to be extremely popular. It’s particularly thought-provoking for older members of the community who remember what it was like.”
Visitors will experience an old 1940s school room supervised by a very strict headmaster, go through an air raid shelter drill, see a Weymouth at War exhibition, pay a visit to a Second World War shop to learn about rationing, and meet Mrs Mop doing the washing.
Mr Booth said: “The programme is very interactive.”
Tickets are nearly sold out for Monday’s programme but there is a chance to see it on Wednesday, and Friday, 10am to 3pm.
Tickets are £7 each, to include a wartime lunch. Book tickets by calling 01305 766626 or visit nothefort.org.uk.
