On Air Now

Ricky Durkin

8:00am - Noon

Now Playing

Communards

Don't Leave Me This Way

Eden Camp to commemorate 80th anniversary of The Great Escape

Eden Camp Modern History Museum's 'The Great Escape Project' will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Great Escape this weekend.

Eden Camp to commemorate 80th anniversary of The Great Escape Eden Camp Modern History Museum is hosting a special event this weekend to mark the 80th anniversary of The Great Escape. The Malton museum is hosting the Axis Allied Reenactment Group for ‘The Great Escape Project’ on 17th and 18th February. It will include demonstrations of the tunnel digging, interactive activities and reenactors all over the site. Axis-Allied will be showcasing a real-life demonstration of the event that took place in Stage Luft III in March 1944. [caption id="attachment_100460" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Reenactors will be all over the Eden Camp site this weekend.[/caption] The event looks to support the families of the veterans involved, remembering each individual story, and highlighting the huge impact this event had on the war effort and morale of the country. Peter Wood, reenactor from Axis-Allied, is assisting in organising the event:

“Things are currently very busy behind the scenes in the build up to our Great Escape event. We are very delighted to have been able to make contact with and gain the support of dozens of families linked to both Stalag Luft 3 and The Great Escape. "Over the course of the weekend, we will joined by a number of these families, some of which are displaying original artefacts and sharing stories. We will have re-enactors onsite portraying the roles of Allied prisoners of war and camp personnel. "They will be demonstrating various workshops to show how everyday items were utilised in escapes. Witness these POW's attempt their daring escape through a replica 80ft tunnel as they look to evade the guards. Join us for an interactive and educational weekend!”
There will also be several original artefacts on display and authors who have covered the historic event will be present. [caption id="attachment_100465" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Original artefacts will be on display.[/caption] Eden Camp’s Collections and Engagement Manager, Summer O’Brien was heavily involved in organising the museum’s involvement. She said:
“Eden Camp are incredibly honoured and excited to host such an interactive event, that not only brings history to life but, helps to commemorate all those involved in the Great Escape that have not been recognised until now. "The event will showcase the different stages of the escape, as well as all the hard and painstaking work it took all involved to achieve this feat. It is truly not to be missed this February half term!”
The event will take place on 17th and 18th February during normal opening times of 10am-5pm, and it is included in standard admission for the museum. For more details and timings, visit www.edencamp.co.uk/whatson Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

More from Local News