Dance, Bell Tent, Film and Lectures - Armistice activities at The Hive

Dance, the World War One Bell Tent, film screenings of the iconic 1916 and 1917 restored films and lectures all form part of the Worcestershire World War One Hundred Armistice activities at The Hive on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 November, all FREE.

On Friday 9 November join Discover History and the Worcestershire World War One Hundred Bell Tent in the atrium at The Hive to find out more about the First World War at Home and at the Front. The Bell Tent will remain in situ throughout Armistice weekend.

At 6pm join members of Dancefest’s Worcester Gifted and Talented group and Worcestershire Junior Youth Dance Company for a free performance of When They Come Home... This moving dance piece, created with choreographer Clare Wood, explores the support of the soldiers for each other during World War One and how this support helped them to get through horrendous and unimaginable times.

At 6.30pm there will be another chance to watch the iconic 1916 film The Battle of the Somme featuring the acclaimed score by Laura Rossi. This screening is FREE however booking is required, click here.

On Saturday 10 November view the wall of handcrafted poppies, representing Worcestershire men and women who lost their lives in the Great War, and get involved with family activities including poppy making.

From 1pm drop into three talks focused on World War One including Paul Hudson talking on World War One research. Book here.

From 2pm Gillian Roberts explores stories from Worcestershire’s First World War featured in The People’s Collection followed by Sarah Ganderton talking about Worcestershire’s Health and the First World War. Book here.

Between lectures there will also be an opportunity to experience Voices of the Great War: The presentation of illustrated verse by Christine Shaw entitled ‘I was there: The Great War Interviews’ inspired by a powerful collection of interviews and stories filmed in the 1960s.

At 4pm there is another chance to view The Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of The Tanks (1917), a little-known masterpiece of British non-fiction cinema which documents the autumn and winter stages of the Somme campaign on the Western Front. Book here.

Adrian Gregson, Worcestershire World War One Hundred Project Manager said: “Across Worcester over the Armistice weekend there are many events and activities which people can participate in to mark the end of the Great War in the way that best suits them. It has been a huge honour to work with our partners County wide over the last four years to remember and commemorate Worcestershire’s War and we hope that our weekend of events goes some way to providing a fitting tribute to those who fought on the Front Line and at Home.”