On Wednesday our class really enjoyed a visit to Bagenal’s Castle to participate in an interactive session learning about what life what like during World War Two. The children met two characters Mr King and Miss Agnew. Mr King helped the children explore the role of a Fire Guard Messenger. They learned how to black out homes and their local area and found out what air raid sirens sounded like aswell as what to do when a siren was heard in the town or at school. The children were able to locate air raid shelters on a map of Newry and explored the correct use of a gas mask for all members of the family.
Miss Agnew spoke about her time working in Bessbrook Mill and the Women’s Voluntary Service. She helped the children learn about ration books and how people during that time had to make do, reuse and mend clothing. The children really enjoyed having a go to do a ‘running stitch’ and learning about how foods were used and grown in order to make the most out of what people had.
The children also had the opportunity to explore artefacts on display in the Museum. Many that have been donated by members of the public including photographs, posters, leaflets, drawings, newspaper cuttings, gas-masks, uniforms, goggles, badges, photographs and objects. These are invaluable and extremely important for interpreting this period of history for future generations.
We thank the staff at Bagenal’s Castle for providing our children with this informative and interactive session.
