Youngsters take trip down memory lane as war-time evacuees

By bhargreaves belinda hargreaves belinda.hargreaves@thepostandtimes.co.uk

YOUNGSTERS at a village school stepped back in time to experience what life was like for war evacuees.

Thirty-three children from St Edward's First School in Cheddleton left their school uniforms at home for the day and dressed up in 1940s-style clothes to take part in the Evacuee Experience at Churnet Valley Railway.

Accompanied by seven school staff, the eight and nine year olds walked from their Hollow Lane school, along the Caldon Canal to the Cheddleton Station to join the railway's volunteers for the re-enactment day.

It included a talk from four Royal British Legion veterans, looking at artifacts from the era and a ride on an 85-year-old steam train.

That took the young visitors along the length of the Churnet Valley Railway line including going through the Leekbrook tunnel with lights out to portray a 'black-out' scenario.

Year Four teacher Andrea Higgins said: "It was a very well organised event with a variety of engaging activities for the children.

"The trip to the Churnet Valley Railway has helped us with this term's topic of World War Two and evacuees. All the children were well-behaved and thoroughly enjoyed the experience."

Angela added: "This is the first time that our school has been to one of the evacuee experience days and because it was so fantastic we are hoping to take our Year Four class every year from now on.

"It is a real experience which helps the children relate to what they are learning."

Churnet Valley Railway began hosting school education days, such as the Evacuation Experience and Explorer Days, three years ago and due to increasing demand the number of events per year has increased.

Graham Joiner, education officer for Churnet Valley Railway, said: "These school events are getting so popular that we have had to turn schools away this year. We hosted five events last year, eight this year and are hoping to do at least ten next year."

Retired teacher Graham began volunteering at the railway three years ago and helped set up the education activities.

He added: "Thanks must go to all the volunteers who make the events a success, especially the Royal British Legion veterans who give up their time to come along and talk to the children."

The last Evacuee Experience at Churnet Valley Railway for 2008, at the end of the month, is fully-booked but for more information about 2009 events, call the venue on 01538 360522.