Press Release - World War One Commemoration at Dorchester Corn Exchange, August 8th 2014

Walking in their Shoes Launches Interactive Walk in World War One Commemoration

The Corn Exchange, Dorchester

On Friday 8^th August, on the same week 100 years ago when the UK declared war on Germany in August 1914, Walking in their Shoes were proud to be part of a commemorative event in Dorchester’s historic Corn Exchange to remember the impact the Great War had on Dorset.

This event, hosted by Dorchester Town Council, and supported by organisations such as the Dorset History Centre, The Keep Military Museum and the Dorset County Museum, bought together a series of activities throughout the day, including a rendition of wartime songs, an arts and crafts table for younger visitors and a performance from the Dorchester Silver band. With volunteers dressed in costumes from this era, the Walking in their Shoes team had the privilege of the occasion to officially open their First World War trail across, located across Dorchester, Bovington and Moreton, where boxes packed with local historical facts can be found by Geocaching or a traditional map and compass. An app to download on smartphone devices and an official website will also be launched to accompany the walk. 

The walk, which had the honour of Joyce Ray, a second-generation descendent from the War where her mother worked in a local soldiers rest home, cutting the ribbon of our historical trail saw the current Mayor of Dorchester, Councillor Peter Mann, and Chairman of Dorset Youth Association, Alan Knott, discover the first boxes hidden in the town. The contents of the boxes, as well as other aspects of this project, has been entirely devised and executed by the young volunteers, aged 15-25, with the support of Project Officer, Lorna Johnson.

Ms Johnson added in a comment about the day that “I was incredibly proud of the WiTS volunteers they really added to the day and brought energy and enthusiasm and commitment to the day […] they were great ambassadors for youth heritage volunteering and all the organisations wanted to work together again.”

The Mayor of Dorchester, Councillor Peter Mann, added “An excellent day. I particularly enjoyed the Walking in their Shoes project.”

Walking in their Shoes is a Heritage Lottery Funded project, supported by Dorset Youth Association, for young people to trace back the footsteps of an Anglo-Saxon monk and a First World War soldier in the Dorset area. It is an inclusive group of volunteers aged 15-25 with diverse abilities to help convey history in an innovative and accessible approach for the public to experience.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Lorna Johnson on  01305 757027 or email lornajohnson@dorsetyouth.com.