Films in the Daniel Gooch Theatre

FILM PROGRAMME - THE DANIEL GOOCH THEATRE

(Please book your free ticket at the Bookings Desk in the Great Western Hall on the day – only 80 seats available per film)

10.30am ‘MY FAMILY AT WAR’ Episode 1 (Duration 43 mins)

Dan Snow and Natalie Cassidy discover the role their families played in the Great War. Dan retraces the footsteps of his great grandfather, Sir Thomas D'Oyly Snow, who was a General during the First World War. Meanwhile, Natalie makes her way to East London to find out what the women in her family were doing on the Home Front, while the men went to fight.

11.30am ‘TIMEWATCH’: The Last Day of WWI with Michael Palin Guidance: Contains some upsetting scenes. (Duration 58 mins)

Michael Palin tells the story of how the First World War ended on 11 th November 1918 and reveals the shocking truth that soldiers continued to be killed in battle for many hours after the Armistice had been signed. Recounting the events of the days and hours leading up to that last morning, Michael tells the personal stories of the last soldiers to die as the minutes and seconds ticked away to the 11 o’clock ceasefire.

12.40pm ‘A POEM FOR HARRY’: A BBC ‘Inside Out West’ Special on Harry Patch; The Last Tommy. (Duration 30 mins)

Introduced by HRH The Prince Of Wales, Poet Laureate Andrew Motion unveils his new work in honour of Harry Patch, Britain's last survivor of the World War One trenches.

Followed by Questions & Answers with renowned film-maker Richard van Emden

1.30pm ‘MY FAMILY AT WAR’ – Episode 2 (Duration 43 mins)

Matthew Kelly and Phil Tufnell retrace their relatives' steps to find out more about their First World War experiences.. Matthew is on a quest to find his great uncle Albert, who he knows died as a Prisoner of War. Phil knows nothing about his relatives' war but is eager to find out. He soon learns what life was like for his grandfather, William who fought with his squadron in First World War planes on the Western Front.

2.30pm ‘1914-1918’ – Episode 1 Explosion (Duration 50 mins)

Documentary series telling the history of the Great War, in which nine million people perished. Beginning with the origins of the conflict. Narrated by Judi Dench.

3.30pm ‘BLACKADDER GOES FORTH’ – CERT. PG (Duration 29 mins)

In the final episode, ‘Goodbyeee’, General Melchett has finally given the command for the company to go over "over the top", that is to say, charge to their certain deaths.

TALKS - IN THE SCHOOL ROOM

(Please book your free ticket at the Bookings Desk in the Great Western Hall on the day – only 70 seats available per talk)

10.30am Sue Stafford – ‘How to Trace your Family Tree’

Sue is a family history researcher with years of experience within her field and will be able to show you how to start, where to look and what to look for when tracing your ancestors.

11.30am Richard van Emden – ‘The Great War’

Richard is a renowned author & TV documentary producer with special interest in the First World War. He specialises in first-person testimonies of people who lived through World War I. He has interviewed more than 270 veterans of The Great War. His books include ‘Boy Soldiers of the Great War’, ‘The Last Fighting Tommy: the Life of Harry Patch’ and ‘Soldier’s War: The Great War through Veteran’s Eyes’.

12.30pm Terry Duncan – Medal Specialist

Terry spent 30 years with Spink & Son, the London auctioneers and medal specialists founded in 1666. Holders of three Royal Warrants, the firm has been buying & selling war medals since they first appeared after the Napoleonic Wars. Terry has an extensive medal collection and will talk about identifying medals, his career and his role in Churchill’s funeral.

1.30pm Michael Walsh – ‘Brothers In War’

Writer Michael Walsh is a former newspaper editor and Fleet Street journalist who lives in Oxfordshire. ‘Brothers in War’ is his first book, telling the true story of the eight Beechey Brothers who all fought in the Great War.

2.30pm Mark Sutton – ‘Swindon’s War Dead’

Local historian and military enthusiast Mark Sutton has written his own tribute to Swindon’s War Dead with some fascinating stories of local men who went to fight for King and Country.

3.30pm Sue Stafford – ‘How to Trace your Family Tree’

Sue is a family history researcher with years of experience within her field and will be able to show you how to start, where to look and what to look for when tracing your ancestors.

The Caerphilly Castle

Wartime Fashion Show plus hair and make-up demonstrations throughout the day.

(Please book your free Fashion Show ticket at the Bookings Desk in the Great Western Hall on the day – only 70 seats available per show plus 30 standing)

Students from Swindon College will be showcasing uniforms and costumes from both World Wars, with appropriate music from the period plus vintage hair and make-up techniques.

Fashion Show times: 11.30 – 12.00 2.30 – 3.00

Visit the ‘BBC at War’ Exhibition (WW2) beside the Caerphilly Castle. The Great Western Hall – Cadet Displays (No booking necessary)

10.45am Bristol Filton Sea Cadets (TS Endurance) A-Frame Display

11.15am Shepton Mallet Platoon, Normandy Company, Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles) Army Cadet Force Drill Display

12.00pm Display from Bristol Filton Sea Cadets (TS Endurance) Royal Marine Cadets Unarmed Combat Display

1.30pm Bristol Filton Sea Cadets (TS Endurance) A-Frame Display

2.45pm Shepton Mallet Platoon, Normandy Company, Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles) Army Cadet Force Drill Display

3.30pm Display from Bristol Filton Sea Cadets (TS Endurance) Royal Marine Cadets Unarmed Combat Display

Please note: There will be a short service of Remembrance in the Great Western Hall at 2.00pm

WW2 Experiences

STEAM Air Raid Shelter (Please book your free ticket at the Bookings Desk in the Great Western Hall on the day – maximum 20 people per session)

Families will have the opportunity to visit STEAM’s meticulously researched reconstruction of a public Air Raid Shelter, which brings the Home Front during WW2 alive. Crammed with original objects from 1939-45, there will be opportunities to see and handle a superb collection of artefacts, to experience blackout and the sounds of an approaching air attack and to consider first hand what it would have been like to spend the night here. A highlight is our original ‘moaning minnie’ siren. We hope there may be some real memories to share too. Suitable for all family members aged 5 years and above.

Bookable sessions:

10.30am – 11.00am 2.00pm – 2.30pm 11.30am – 12.00pm 3.00pm – 3.30pm 12.30pm – 1.00pm 4.00pm – 4.30pm

Family Drop In (No booking necessary)

You’ll have the opportunity to informally see original WW2 costumes and objects and meet a group of Home Front characters, including an evacuee, an ARP Warden and members of the Women’s Land Army, the Home Guard and the Auxiliary Fire Service. There will be a range of ‘mystery objects’ to guess and handle and a life-sized model of a Morrison Shelter. Staff from the STEAM Education Service will be on hand to prompt your family stories, personal memories and help set up some great photos for your album!

Drop into the Station Platform:

10.30am – 1.00pm 2.00pm – 4.30pm