People from across Bath and North East Somerset are being given the chance to find out more about World War One at a special Discovery Day next month.
The event will take place on Saturday 4th November from 11am to 4pm at The Guildhall in Bath.
Co-ordinated by Bath & North East Somerset Council, the day is free to attend and is part of the Council’s World War One Centenary programme.
Visitors can drop in any time during the day and explore historic Archives & Local Studies material from Bath Record Office, get tips on researching family history of WW1-era relatives, and go back in time with old photographs of Bath, Keynsham, Radstock and Midsomer Norton from the Bath In Time collection.
The Western Front Association will help identify WW1 memorabilia and medals, so take them along and find out more about your family heirlooms.
The event will also include the story of Alderman Hatt, Mayor of Bath, whose two sons were killed eight weeks apart in 1916, together with an opportunity to see the plaque commemorating Harry Patch, the ‘last surviving Tommy’.
Councillor Paul Myers, (Conservative, Midsomer Norton Redfield) Cabinet Member for Economic & Community Regeneration, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for adults and children to learn more about WW1, the role played by local people and the impact the war had on Bath and North East Somerset.
“The event should prove fascinating for the whole family. Children can enjoy free craft activities and create a soldier’s cap or a WW1 medal to take home. And local historian Andrew Swift will lead a short walk at 11.30am in the city centre to see some of the places that feature in Bath’s war-time story.
“With songs from the period, costumes to try on, and some special visitors from 1917, there is plenty to see and do.”
For more information about the Council’s World War One Centenary programme, visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk/WW1centenary.
