Thanks to Suzanne for sharing this with VB readers. In her own words. Ed
Children from across the Island have recently enjoyed going back in time with activities organised by the Heritage Education Office, IW Heritage Service based at Carisbrooke Castle Museum.
Based at Havenstreet Railway Station children were “evacuated” from their families and in readiness of perhaps several years of living away from parents were prepared for their new lives away from home.
Dressed in 1940s fashions
Staff from the Primary Schools taking part had prepared the children well for this experience and most children and adults were dressed in 1940s fashions.
Activities included playing with toys from the 1940s and before, having a lesson in a war-time class room, learning about rationing and shortage of food and tasting food such as fish paste, carrot spread and egg-less cake.
All aboard the steam train
To enable the evacuation to take place a trip on the train from Havenstreet to Smallbrook was also undertaken and the children had to look out for a bomb on the line!
A Home Guard sergeant and a land army girl were on hand to explain to the children what life was going to be like in the village and just what to do with a gas mask on your way to the air-raid shelter.
Image: © David Yendall
