School children learn about Irlam at War

In partnership with artist Rachelle Cleary, volunteers from Friends of Irlam Station (FIRST) and Irlam and Cadishead Local History Society, HDT piloted our first KS2 ‘Irlam at War’ workshops with pupils from St. Teresa’s RC Primary School, Irlam.

The aim of the workshops, held over two days, was to engage the children and have fun whilst gaining an understanding of how war affects local lives and communities.

Day 1: The pupils discussed poppies and the meaning of remembrance followed by a creative wreath-making session using vinyl.  It was great to see the children so engaged and there was a real buzz in the classroom, as they used their imagination to create their own poppy styles using various materials and explaining why they felt the colours used were important.  The classroom windows and walls were awash afterwards with bursts of colour from their creations.

Day 2: The school had encouraged children to dress-up and they certainly did.  There were soldiers, land girls and evacuees and they all looked amazing.  The focus of the day was the First and Second World War’s effect on Irlam and how local people were involved in munitions, and engaged as volunteer first aiders, as well as the part the railways played during wartime and the stories of local people who went to war.  Starting with a brief classroom workshop we looked at local history photographs then did a fun secret code and spy skills activity.  This was followed by a walking tour around Irlam Station to take in the local history at the Heritage Hub, enthusiastically shared by FIRST volunteers and HDT’s Heritage Co-Ordinator Suzanne Hindle.

Despite the heavy rain in the afternoon the group then took a walk to the cenotaph in Princes’ Park for a very moving ceremony, led by local veteran soldier Ian Jolley, where children laid one of the red poppy wreathes they’d made the previous day.

By the end of the two days the children had gained a good understanding of how war had affected their local community and those living there, as testified by Year 6 teacher Claire McCann: “I just want to say thanks again for a great couple of days.  We learned lots and had a great time doing it too! The children were still talking about it all the next day, which is what we want.”

 If you’re a teacher and interested in partnering with us for a local history workshop, please get in touch.  Contact 0161 222 4003 or [email protected]

Posted on: 22nd December 2023