Teesside historians to explore First World War heritage

Teesside University lecturers will join experts from across the country to explore stories of the First World War.

The Dorman Museum in Middlesbrough will host a First World War: Community, Heritage and Legacies Workshop on Friday 7 October, which will see experts gather to explore stories of the conflict.

Subjects to be explored include presentations on newspaper coverage of the conflict and industry’s contribution to the war effort and anti-German sentiment during the War.

Lecturer Mike McGuinness, from the University's School of Social Sciences, Business & Law, will explore the story of footballer and war hero Walter Tull, while Dr Ben Roberts from the University's School of Design, Culture & the Arts, will discuss peace celebrations in Middlesbrough.

The event, which will include presentations on a number of topics related to the First World War, is part of the Middlesbrough-based Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) supported They answered their Country’s Call: All Saints’ Church and the First World War project.

Representatives from archives, museums, community organisations and universities will also be in attendance to discuss ongoing projects, including Beamish Museum, Civic Voice, Cleveland Institute of Engineers, Northumbria World War One Commemoration Project, North East Land, Sea and Air Museum, North East War Memorials Project and Teesside Archives.

The HLF will also be on hand to provide information on funded projects and grants available for exploring heritage, and footage will also be screened from the Yorkshire Film Archive’s collections.

Project manager Dr Tosh Warwick, who is also a Teesside University MA graduate, said: 'The event at the Dorman Museum provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about the history of the First World War and the numerous activities and projects taking place to mark the conflict’s centenary.

'We hope the event will attract lots of interest and create a legacy by encouraging people to become involved in exploring their own community’s heritage.'

The workshop is the final public activity of the They answered their Country’s Call HLF project which has included replacement of a damaged Gjers’ Mills Ayresome Ironworks War Memorial at All Saints’ Church in Middlesbrough, educational visits to the historic William Lane Foundry, First World War poetry activities and musical performance by local children.

An online and print First World War in Middlesbrough heritage resource booklet, compiled using historic material from Teesside Archives, Middlesbrough Libraries, the Dorman Museum and featuring artwork by artist and Teesside University honorary graduate Mackenzie Thorpe, will also be released in the coming weeks.

The event from 10am to 4pm at the Dorman Museum is free to attend but places must be booked by contacting Tosh Warwick on (01642) 728818 or at history@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

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• History