TITLE Talk on the history of the WW II US Army Assault Training Centre on the North Devon Coast
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 PLAN - WHAT DID YOU SET OUT TO DO? |
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| Summary/ Description of Activity |
| An evening talk held in the library. Speaker was Richard T Bass, local author of ‘Spirits of the Sand’. The talk explained North Devon’s role in training troops for the D Day Landings. Mr Bass covered the progress of the entire plan from an idea right through to D Day. His talk to include a short DVD showing some of the training exercises in 1943. He was accompanied by a‘re-enactor’ dressed in wartime uniform who brought along weapons, dummy explosives and rations to show everyone. £2.50 per ticket to include refreshments. The talk was offered by Mr Bass. It was promoted and marketed by a member of the library staff, mainly to senior groups. |
| Learning objectives: |
| Those attending the talk will have learnt about North Devon’s role in the training for the D Day Landings. It will have improved their knowledge of the history of the local area. It may bring back memories of their life during WW II and will promote conversation. |
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DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY |
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| Date [dd/mm/yyyy] |
23/06/2008 |
| Length of activity |
1,5 - 2 hours |
| Frequency |
One off event |
| Organiser |
Library Assistant |
| Tutor |
External Speaker |
| Group Size |
50 (sold out!) |
| Venue |
Henry Williamson Room, Barnstaple Library |
| Location |
Barnstaple UK |
| Environment |
Urban |
| Location Factors |
None |
| Partnerships |
None |
| Target group |
Over 50 age group living within a 20 mile radius of Barnstaple. |
| Contact |
By letter and phone to senior and local history groups which were listed on the Community Directory (www.devonline.gov.uk/community), Devon County Council’s database of local groups and organisations.Letters sent to: 4 University of the Third Age groups in the area, 30 local history groups (some contacts provided by Barnstaple Local Studies Centre), 4 local museums. |
| Marketing |
Press release sent out via Devon County Council’s Press Office to local newspapers, radio and TV stations. Activity listed on DCC’s website. Posters sent to 8 local Tourist Information Centres. Posters displayed in Barnstaple Library and circulated to branch libraries in the area. Display in Barnstaple Library including photos of the local beaches at the time, propaganda posters leant by the local museum, and army supplies lent by a local army and navy store. Library staff informed about the event. |
| Method of delivery |
Speaker and a ‘re-enactor’, including props and a DVD. |
| Equipment required |
DVD player and screen required. Hearing loop system preferable. |
| Other Factors |
Make sure everyone can see/hear the speaker and DVD. Make sure room temperature is kept comfortable as there are a lot of people attending. |
| Tasks |
(Task1) Involving seniors in learning process |
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EVALUATION OF ACTIVITY
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| Evaluation of the Learning Objectives |
| The speaker presented the subject well. The audience listened intently for an hour and then participated in a question and answer session. At appropriate points the audience were told stories about local characters, disasters and comic events. Very recent discoveries of artefacts were also described. People recognised several places shown in the film. Many were surprised by the sheer scale of the activities that took place in North Devon. Lively question and answer session. |
| Evaluation of the activity |
| Activity went very well. The event sold out and a waiting list had to be created. |
| Evaluation of what was learned by the participants |
| Participants learnt how the plan for the assault training centre in North Devon was initiated and put into practice. They learnt about the scale of the operation and its importance in achieving success of D Day for the Americans. Mr Bass has written a number of popular books about wartime Devon, so he could be invited to come back and talk about his work. He is also a battlefield guide specialising in the American beaches in Normandy, France, a subject that he could also be asked to speak about. |
| Evaluation of what staff have learned |
| An hour’s talk was the right length as it held people’s attention. The use of a film and the re-enactor was good as they added interest. Very good response to the marketing and publicity (event sold out). |
| Keywords |
| England; Devon; war; reminiscence; talk; DVD; |
ANALYSIS OF EVALUATION |
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| What would you change to improve activity? |
| As the event was so popular with seniors, if it is held again it may be more suitable to hold the talk twice – once in the daytime and once in the evening. |
| What particular circumstance could affect a change in the activity? |
| This activity focuses on a specific area of North Devon during WW II. Another country would have to find a local history subject of similar interest to seniors in their area. Local history groups might know of good speakers to invite. |
| Other possible Activities |
| Possibly a trip to the ATC memorial at Woolacombe beach, North Devon. Richard Bass does ‘Walk and Talks’ along the beaches. Talks by other speakers on local history topics or WW II topics. |
| Best practice |
| Yes, very good promotion and marketing to seniors. Very popular event which sold out quickly. |
| Transferability: |
| N/A |
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