Turning back the clock to the dark days of the Blitz

No-one will be able to avoid being moved by the plight of the poor children in war torn Israel and Palestine and whilst watching the distressing footage it is difficult to imagine what it would be like if it were closer to home and children had to be evacuated to safety.

In fact, not related to the conflicts around the world, but Teign Heritage Centre recently organised an event for children to experience war time evacuation.

During the last world war Teignmouth and Shaldon, like many West Country towns and villages, hosted thousands of children evacuated during the blitz.  

When the bombing began over 1.5 million children, many of primary school age, were put on trains and over 1000 were sent to Teignmouth and Shaldon alone.  Some were waved off by distraught parents on crowded stations, others orphaned by the bombing had nothing but a small bag, a gas mask and a name tag.  

The evacuation re-enactment organised by Teign Heritage Centre was for children aged between 10 and 11 years from amongst other schools Trinity School Preparatory.  

The children were all greeted from the Station by pretend foster parents who walked them to the Museum in strict, no talking formation, there they were lined up and inspected by the pretend parents.  Most were chosen to be hosted but a few were not.  This actually happened many times during war time evacuation, usually the poorest and most ill clothed or dirty children were the ones left behind and more often than not these were the ones who needed care and attention most.  

Unless foster parents were found these children had to be sent back often to the orphanages they had left in the major war damaged cities or maybe sent to orphanages in Devon.

The experience of the children from Trinity was developed further with air raid evacuations to crowded pretend Anderson air raid shelters with no toilets except for a potty in the corner. This was all organised as the stimulus for a classroom writing exercise.  

It is true to say the children and the accompanying staff were very moved by the experience which brought into sharp focus those now distant times, but no doubt it made also all who took part think of the children in current war-torn countries.

The re-enactment described is part of a wide range of activities specially designed by Teign Heritage for school children in the area.

These include Victorian seaside experiences, 1950’s childhood, local pirates and smugglers, Anglo Saxon village life and much more.  All of these have been conceived and designed with costumes and props from the museum collection by volunteer Eileen Simpson and have received enormous support and acclaim.  

Teign Heritage exists to Tell the Stories and keep the memories of Teignmouth and Shaldon alive and sees its programme of school re-enactments and educational visits as a vital part of this.  

The current education team is looking for someone to expand and administer the outreach to schools and their involvement with the  Museum.  

This is a voluntary position which might appeal to someone who has a passion and professional interest in the expansion and education of young minds, particularly Key Stages 2 and 3. 

The role will require developing and liaising with Schools in the area but also organising and delivering the many and various enactments currently in the portfolio or being developed.  For more information please contact [email protected] or call into the Museum.