A unique event bringing together historians, schoolchildren and dance professionals will be held in Petersfield Square this summer to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
Researchers from the Buriton Heritage Bank have been selected to work with the Petersfield Museum and other local groups to compile local historical information so that choreographers and schoolchildren can create authentic dances.
This project, a first of its kind for Petersfield, will tell stories of local people during the First World War. Replica Dance Company will work with school children from The Petersfield School, Liss Junior School and Froxfield Primary School to fire their imaginations by exploring the research findings about local soldiers, agricultural workers and young people. The role of women involved in the war will also be portrayed.
Research from Buriton will focus on life on the farm during the war years - a time when many workers were called away and when troops and injured servicemen occasionally worked in the fields at busy times of year.
But part of the story will also focus on the role of horses - and the fact that many of them also travelled to the continent to help with the war effort.
The live event in July will also include music from the period performed by The Liss Band and Petersfield Choir.
Hampshire-based dance and circus company ‘Joli Vyann’ will perform alongside the community groups as they all share the work they have created during an outdoor event in Petersfield Square on Sunday 20 July 2014 between 12:30pm and 3:00pm.
The Buriton Village Association wil be re-visiting this theme at its public meeting in October when Any Robertshaw, special adviser on the Speilberg film 'War Horse', will give a fascinating insight into the making of a major blockbuster movie as well as unique knowledge about the role of horses in the conflicts of the First World War. Specially arranged for half-term week, this talk will appeal to adults and children of all ages. More details are available here: http://www.buriton.info/event/buriton_village_association/making_war_ho…
