Our WW1 trench continues to take shape..

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The Trench will cover an area of some 70m2 and will include communication trenches, front-line trench, support trench, listening post, officers’ dug-out, other ranks’ dug-outs, fire-steps, shell-holes and wire entanglements forward of the front line. It will be supported by wooden struts and will include a combination of sandbags, wattle, planking and duck-boards. Here’s James Holland talking to Luke Winter from Cranbourne Ancient Technology Centre, who is now working on our first dug-out:

More information about our Trench Experience can be found here.

WWI Trench build – Part 2

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Want to learn how a First World War trench is constructed? We are doing just that, using authentic methods and materials, official period manuals, as well as drawing upon the testimonies of those who built and fought in them, this will be as close a representation of what a First World War trench was like as is possible.

Take a look at the progress so far…

First World War Trench Build – Part 1

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At this year’s festival we are very excited to have created a scale section of a First World War trench.  Built by a team of experts and local volunteers, and using authentic methods and materials, official period manuals, as well as drawing upon the testimonies of those who built and fought in them, this will be as close a representation of what a WWI trench was like as is possible.
It’s really starting to take shape and we are learning a lot! Here is our co-chair, James Holland with an update on Day 2 of construction..

Lady Emma Kitchener opens Princess Mary Gift Boxes from WW1

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The Princess Mary Gift Boxes from WW1 are untouched for nearly 100 years.

Filmed at The Daily Mail Chalke Valley History Festival, Saturday 28th June 2014, Lady Emma Kitchener opens a sealed packing case which has remained untouched since the start of the First World War.

The unopened carton, contains eighty new and unused brass Princess Mary gift boxes, to be sent as gifts to the soldiers on the Western Front in Christmas 1914.

It is fitting that Lady Emma Kitchener, who is the great great niece of Earl Kitchener of Khartoum (whose face was made famous on the First World War recruitment poster ‘Lord Kitchener Wants You’), kindly agreed to open the packing case.

CVHF on BBC 1 TV – Sunday Morning Live

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Sunday Morning Live TVHistorian, Tom Holland and Historical Film Maker, David Olusoga on TV this morning live from CVHF discussing the Sunday Morning Live debate ‘Should Britain be proud of its history? If you missed it.. here it is on BBC iplayer

Lady Emma Kitchener to open Princess Mary Gift Boxes, untouched for nearly 100 years

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You are invited to a special event at the Daily Mail Chalke Valley History Festival, on Saturday 28th June at 4pm, when Lady Emma Kitchener will be opening a sealed packing case which has remained untouched since the start of the First World War.

Princess Mary Gift Box
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CVHF Pinterest

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We’ve just launched our Pinterest channel, showing some great photos, themes and action – take a peek!