EDEN CAMP, MALTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE

Eden Camp museum transports people back to wartime Britain. The museum camp presents the sights, sounds smells of the war years.

Built as prisoner of war (POW) camp in 1942, the camp is a series of expertly-recreated scenes covering all aspects of the Second World War. The elements of the museum are reconstructed in the huts of the POW.

In early 1942, a small contingent of Army personnel, under the command of a Sergeant, arrived at Malton, midway between York and Scarborough in North Yorkshire. Their task was to construct a barbed wire enclosure and erect tents to house the steady flow of enemy prisoners of war captured in North Africa. The site was named Eden Camp and the first inmates were two hundred and fifty Italian prisoners. These prisoners were put to work constructing a larger permanent camp, consisting of 45 huts. The Italians were at the Camp from 1942 to 1944, then the Germans from 1944 to 1948. While at the Camp the prisoners worked on the local farms under the control of the War Agricultural Officer.

Eden Camp was created in 1986 when local business man Stan Johnson discovered that the POW Camp was in good condition. He bought the site and initially invested £750,000 to create, within the original Camp, the world's only modern history Theme Museum.

The huts have been re-equipped to tell the story of the people's war, the social history of life in Britain from 1939 to 1945. Realistic tableaux, with moving figures, authentic sounds and smells have been created. In one scene there is a living room of a typical wartime home in Britain. The family are seated in front of the fire, listening to the radio as Chamberlain announces "The declaration of war". Visitors see the man move his arm to adjust the wireless set, the woman breathes, the tin bath sits in front of the flickering fire and the scene comes alive.

Each of the many huts covers a different aspect of the history of the war, starting with the rise of the Nazi Party, Hitler and the outbreak of war. Other topics include: rationing, the utility scheme, campaigns, evacuees, propaganda, home guard, the Homefront, the Blitz, air raid and gas precautions, women at war, the munitions factories, and much more.

Former German P.O.W. Walter Bost sat in the original hut where he was held prisoner at Eden Camp
Other huts have been allocated military themes war at sea and U-boats, The Home Guard, Bomber Command, Bomb Disposal, escapees and evaders, resistance, and the life of a prisoner of war, etc.

From 1990 to 1995 a series of huts were opened, creating a museum within a museum. In these huts the military and political events of the Second World War around the world are covered in detail. Scenes such as Dunkirk, The War in the Desert, War at Sea, The Dambusters, The Great Escape, D-Day, V.E. and V.J. Days etc can be found along with displays covering The Holocaust, The Middle East, The Far East, Italy, Europe etc. During 1992 a prefab was reconstructed on site which is an excellent example of the post war housing efforts. Additionally a dig for victory garden was created and a Garden of Remembrance.

For some light relief, you can visit the Eden Camp Music Hall where you can sit down and watch a puppet show in which some of the great entertainers of the time are portrayed. The audience is invited to join in and sing "We'll meet again".

On a number of special days throughout the year, Eden Camp becomes the temporary home of a number of re-enactment teams. This allows visitors to come face to face with POWs, British soldiers, an American M.P. or even the great British bobby.

Eden Camp is a nationally recognised, award-winning museum. It is exciting and appeals to all ages. It is located in North Yorkshire on the A64 between Malton and Pickering and is open 10.00am-5.00pm from 2nd Monday in January to 23rd December, every day. Allow three to four hours for a visit. For more details log on to www.edencamp.co.uk

GREEN HOWARDS MUSEUM, RICHMOND, NORTH YORKSHIRE

The museum's collection spans three centuries of campaigning, travel and war. Artefacts and photographs of the Crimean War, the North-West Frontier of India, the Boer War and archive film of World War 1 form part of the vivid presentation of the Green Howards' story in both peace and war.

On display in the Harrison Room are more than 3,750 medals and decorations including eighteen Victoria Crosses and three George Crosses presented to members of the Regiment for acts of supreme courage. 15 of the Victoria Crosses and 2 of the George Crosses are on display.

Learn about the role of the "Ladies, Wives and Women of the Regiment" and find out more about the Green Howards' link with the market town of Richmond and the people of North Yorkshire and Teesside.

Interactive Video The story of the 'Western Front' in World War 1 using archive film produced by the Imperial War Museum, with touch-screen operation and CD-ROM in the Resource Centre.

Education Services A resource centre constructed for primary and secondary school parties. Teachers' packs, worksheets, videos and 'hands on' objects linked to the National Curriculum. School Parties of up to twenty can be accommodated in the Resource Centre where they can see archive film on video, play CD ROM discs and "hands on" material, all linked to the National Curriculum.

DLI MUSEUM, AYKLEY HEADS, DURHAM

The original Museum of The Durham Light Infantry was opened just after the First World War at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle upon Tyne. In 1939, the Regiment moved to Brancepeth Castle, near Durham City, where the museum remained until the Castle closed.

Then in the 1960's, on the site of the last working colliery in Durham City, a new museum was built. Opened in 1969 by Jennie Lee, Minister for the Arts, The Durham Light Infantry Museum and Arts Centre soon established its reputation for innovation and excellence.

Now after 30 years, the building has been transformed into Durham's most modern visitor attraction - the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery.