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Twenty Years After - BBC2's 'The Trench'
Twenty Years After - BBC2's 'The Trench'

Sat, 24 Sept

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Great War Huts

Twenty Years After - BBC2's 'The Trench'

Twenty years ago BBC2 screened a remarkable three part documentary called ‘The Trench’ - Great War Huts celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special screening and series of talks

Time & Location

24 Sept 2022, 09:00 – 17:00

Great War Huts, Brook Farm Camp, Bell's Ln, Bury St Edmunds, Bury Saint Edmunds IP29 5NW, UK

About the event

Twenty years ago BBC2 screened a remarkable three part documentary called ‘The Trench’.

Using 25 volunteers from Hull, the series set out to show the everyday life of the Great War British soldier, supported by the memories of four veterans of the conflict. The programmes included many aspects of the war not usually covered by documentaries. In October 2001, the volunteers had been recruited at Wenlock Barracks, Anlaby Road, Hull, where the 10th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment (the First ‘Hull Pals’) had been recruited nearly 90 years earlier. Following ten days of intensive training by the Khaki Chums at the British Army’s Infantry Training Centre, Vimy Lines, Catterick, the Pals set off for France.

For the next four weeks, without realising, they followed the War Diary of the original 10th East Yorks, switching between billets behind the Front Line and a specially built section of Trench System at Flesquieres. For the duration of the filming the BBC crew could not directly influence events, which were all allowed to run in real time.

It was a fascinating study of the men of Kitchener’s Army and, despite a hostile press, was well received by the public. Even with an enthusiastic reception the series was only shown in full once and never released on DVD, even though there were regular requests by teachers who saw its educational value.

Twenty years on Great War Huts are holding a special anniversary event to commemorate the launch of the series.

All three episodes will be screened, accompanied with talks by some of the production team responsible for aspects of the production, and the chance to meet some of the participants.

An exhibition will accompany the event featuring items of uniform and equipment used in the series, along with props made by the Art Department and original artefacts found during the building of the trench

Ticket price include teas, coffees and lunch - please make us aware of any dietary requirements!

Saturday 24th September 2022

09:00   -   Registration

09:30   -   Welcome

09:45   -   First Talk

10:15   -   The Trench - Part One

11:15   -   Break

11:35   -   Second Talk

12:00   -   The Trench - Part Two

13:00   -   Lunch

14:00   -   Third Talk

14:30   -   The Trench - Part Three

15:30   -   Break

16:00   -   Panel Discussion and Q&A

17:00   -   Closing Remarks followed by an opportunity to chat

18:00   -   Event Ends

Tickets

  • General Admission

    £25.00
    Sale ended

Total

£0.00

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