The Dunham Villages And Their Soldiers in The First World War
​
A Heritage Lottery Funded Project at Great Dunham Primary School

Fields Familiar, Foreign & Far Away

Fields Familiar, Foreign and Far Away will focus on the First World War experiences of the two Norfolk communities of Great and Little Dunham.  Pupils from the village school, and their families, will investigate the First World War experiences of the soldiers listed on their war memorials with stories from Gallipoli to Palestine to The Western Front. Local men were almost exclusively farm workers, many of whom had not travelled out of their county before.  Children will study agricultural life 100 years ago and will learn local traditions, stories, dance and song.

The heritage research and learning will work towards two performances for the wider community. The first, at the village hall, will disseminate key findings during the first stage of the project to include the performance of dance and song from the period. The second production, at East Dereham Memorial Hall, will stage a new drama about one of the war stories identified in stage one, to be written by the children. The children will be mentored by a professional writer and assisted by a drama expert.

Talks by Military Historians and an exhibition will further illuminate the heritage and a publication will be produced and distributed across Norfolk. ​

For more information about the Project and up and coming events please contact Great Dunham Primary School or Gordon Phillips on 07878000175