writing and the war

In October, a group of writers visited the Commonwealth War Graves cemetry in Harrogate. Here the group learned about one particular aircrew who crashed just outside Aldborough. Flowers were laid at the graves of the six airmen. The group then visited the crash site and on the village green measured out the dimensions of the Lancaster bomber.

Beninborough Hall was the location for the afternoon activities. Here the group learned about the lives of the World War II airmen who were billeted there and rode their motorcycles up and down the grand staircase.

Students' Reflections on the Day:

"Although the cemetery isn't where most people would automatically go for a fun day out it was actually very interesting. We were mainly focused on the World War II memorials and headstones. Pete Sansom encouraged us to take notes that could be turned into a poem. Despite the freezing wind and solemn atmosphere, it was really interesting to hear about the people who served in the war. After the cemetry we had a really fun day!"

"We went to Beningborough Hall with the poet Pete Sansom and were shown round by a guide who worked there. During this time we also wrote poetry about the rooms we entered. The guide told us that the men who stayed there during the war would ride motorbikes up and down the grand staircase. He also showed us where they used to play darts, you can still see the holes in the wall from where they missed the dartboard."