Trips & EventsY8 Civil War Day
On the 20th and 21st April 2009, all year 8 students took part in an English Civil War day hosted by Colonel Des Thomas and his wife as part of Historical Services.
Throughout the day, students were able to experience the many different aspects of the English Civil War. After discussing the causes of the war and some background information, students were asked to chose which side they would have fought for in the English Civil War if they had the choice. Colonel Thomas then spoke to pupils about who fought for who and then went on to look at the various weapons used in the war. Pupils got chance to hold these weapons and 2 pupils in each day were volunteers. Also as part of the day, students were able to taste typical food and drink from the time as well as handling various artefacts, the day ended with pupils dressing up in clothing worn during the 1600's by both sides involved in the war and by civilians and also got to handle the weapons and objects brought along.
Arguably, the highlight of the day was the firing of the musket and the cannon at around midday as pupils got to see the steps taken by soldiers to fire a musket gun and to set the cannon off. Some students got the opportunity to prepare the musket and cannon for firing and all students got to taste the gunpowder that was left over. The students weren't amused to find out it was a mixture of urine and bird poo that had been used!
Both days were a huge success with excellent behaviour from pupils, despite being excited pupils were a credit to themselves and the school and asked lots of questions and got fully involved in the event and the presenters also enjoyed their time at DHS.