We’ve just been engaged to work on this lovely project ‘Trench Brothers’ in Sussex for HMDT Music.
Trench Brothers brings the First World War to life for students through the experiences and personal stories of Indian Army, British West Indies Regiment and black British Soldiers. It commemorates their contributions using puppetry, music, artefacts and cross-curricular learning and culminates in performances of a new music theatre work by composers Julian Joseph and Richard Taylor and librettist Tertia Sefton-Green, enabling students to develop a creative, artistic response to the stories and immortalise the deeds of these forgotten soldiers.
We will be delivering free training in archives and research with volunteers in the area, alongside visits to Seaford Museum, The Keep and the Chattri. This will lead to an exhibition this summer at Newhaven Fort.
We’ll be sending out more information soon about how to get involved!
As part of The Orange Lilies – Brighton & Hove in the Somme project, we’ll be involving children and teachers of local primary school Middle Street Primary School in our explorations of the city during the Somme in 1916.
We’re inviting WWI historian Dr Chris Kempshall to speak to the pupils about this period of history in an engaging and lively way.
We’ll follow this with a film showing of the First World War linked Five Children and It, and make popcorn too!
When Britain entered the First World War it did not fully realise that the conflict would soon touch upon the lives of everyone; even children.
Dr Chris Kempshall will discuss how the people of East Sussex lived under the shadow of the First World War, and how local children became involved in the war effort.
The screening is for 32 x year 5 children and 3-4 teachers.
The Orange Lilies – Brighton & Hove in the Somme Brighton & Hove in WWI – Free Event Day Free WWI Community history event marking the end of both The Orange Lilies project, and The Boys on the Plaque project marking the Somme centenary, and exploring Brighton & Hove in WWI. Venue: Jubilee Library, Brighton, 11am – 4pm – 30th June 2017 Speakers Introductions by Nicola Benge, The Orange Lilies Project Manager and Clare Hankinson, The Boys on the Plaque Project Manager
Dr Frank Gray, Director of Screen Archive South East shows vintage film clips & discusses Brighton during WWI
Brighton & Hove in WWI Q & A session: chaired by Dr Sam Carroll + Speakers: Dr Chris Kempshall, Dr Alison Fell & Dr Frank Gray Dr Alison Fell – First World War women workers and strikes
Dr Chris Kempshall of East Sussex in WWI – Talk on Brighton and The Battle of Boars Head and speakers still TBC With:
Battle of Boar’s Head exhibition courtesy of Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove; WWI exhibitions and resources from Brighton & Hove Libraries, Gateways to the First World War, and The Royal British Legion. Venue –Jubilee Library, Jubilee St, Brighton BN1 1GE Queries to: theorangelilies@gmail.com theorangelilies.wordpress.com https://boysontheplaque.wordpress.com The Orange Liliesproject is delivered by Strike a Light – Arts & Heritage
In Partnership with Fabrica gallery, Brighton and Hove Libraries and Information Services, and Gateways to the First World War.
and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund
Conversations Cafes still to come as part of the Boys on the Plaque WWI project in Brighton – All free and all welcome!
• March 9th – Meet at Jubilee Library
Presentation by Stoolball England Officer Anita Broad on sport in Sussex during WWI. WWI Book discussion session (part of World Book Day)
• April 13 – Meet at Jubilee Library
Dr Sam Carroll of Gateways to First World War talking about the project. Historian Douglas d’Enno also to present his new book ‘Brighton in the Great War’. We start reading Belonging by Umi Sinha.
• May 11th – Meet at Jubilee Library
Jo Palache from Brighton Museum talks about piecing together the stories of the Pavilion Military Hospital from it’s beginnings treating Indian Soldiers to its work with British amputees. She will also look at Indian Soldiers at the Royal Pavilion for the Dr Blighty project.
• June 8th – Meet at Jubilee Library
Professor June Purvis discusses the Suffragettes role in WWI and beyond.
• July 13th – Meet at Jubilee Library
Dr Anne Logan discusses the role of women in the First World War.
• August 10th – No Session
• September 14th – Meet at Jubilee Library
A final session and discussion of our themes and events. This session will host visitors from the WWI themed Brighton’s Graphic War book project from QueenSpark Books, and a look at an earlier book Brighton the Graphic Novel on e-readers.
• October 12th – Meet at Jubilee Library
The Boys on the Plaque research group to give a presentation on soldiers from the city of Brighton and Hove to the group.
Just a reminder that we’ll be meeting next Wednesday 10th February 2.30-4.30pm at the Jubilee Library for our next Conversation Cafe, as part of WWI themed The Boys on the Plaque project.
This month, we’re lucky to have guest speaker Dr Chris Kempshall who is the Project Coordinator for the East Sussex in World War one project.
We’ll also be starting a new Great War related novel ‘My Dear, I Wanted to Tell You’by Louisa Young, which is kindly being loaned to us by Kate Regester, the Libraries and Community Engagement Manager for Brighton and Hove Libraries Service.
See below for further information. East Sussex in WWI:
East Sussex was almost unique in its placement and activities during the First World War.
Being so close to France the difference between the home front and the war front were blurred here more than anywhere else in Britain. You could regularly hear the guns in France on the East Sussex coast.
Soldiers from all over the world were stationed here. Equipment was shipped en masse through East Sussex ports and wounded soldiers returned through them too.
We are investigating the history of the First World War but also its legacy, significance and history today. Our county has a rich history with the war and we want your help in showcasing it. This website allows you to submit your own stories, memories, and images for everyone in the county to see. You can also share and see events relating to the First World War Centenary as well as participate in our survey of local war memorials.
At the end of the centenary period, 2014 to 2018, everything that you see on this website, all of the stories, images and details, will be archived at The Keep (East Sussex Record Office), to ensure future generations can explore the history of East Sussex in the First World War.
Lowther’s Lambs at The Boar’s Head: a talk by Dr Chris Kempshall
Date/Time
Date(s) – 29/06/2016 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Location: The Keep 29th June 2016, 5.30pm-6.30pm. £3.00
On 30 June 1916 the men of the Southdowns Battalions, ‘Lowther’s Lambs’, went over the top at ‘The Boar’s Head’, near Richebourg in France. What happened next has become known as ‘The Day that Sussex Died’. This talk will tell the story of what happened that day, and how these volunteer battalions gave their lives in an attempt to ensure success for the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Dr Chris Kempshall is Associate Tutor at the University of Sussex and Associate Lecturer for the University of Kent, UK, specialising in allied relations on the Western Front and modern representations of the war. He is also Project Officer for East Sussex County Council’s First World War Centenary Project. Admission: £3.00 (Please pay on the door and arrive at least 15 minutes before the talk) Booking is essential. Please use the form below to book your place:
Strike a Light – Arts & Heritage is a community interest company. We focus on exploring life stories and history through creative projects. Based in Brighton, Strike a Light works with and for the wider community across Sussex
As part of The Orange Lilies – Brighton & Hove in the Somme project, we’ll be involving children and teachers of local primary school Middle Street Primary School in our explorations of the city during the Somme in 1916.
The Orange Lilies – Brighton & Hove in the Somme
Just a reminder that we’ll be meeting next Wednesday 10th February 2.30-4.30pm at the Jubilee Library for our next 
