On Wednesday 26^th June, nineteen of the L6^th Form Historians had a cracking day at Chalke Valley History Festival.

Upon arrival at the Festival’s stunning rural location just outside Salisbury, we had an excellent time exploring the various living history exhibitions, everything from various WWII tanks through to Anglo Saxon forges and falconry displays. Of particular interest was a brief story lecture delivered to us by an officer pretending to have fought on D-Day. It was amazing to learn so many new details about this incredible battle in it’s 75^th Anniversary Year. After this, we had an incredibly interactive WWII trench experience where pupils had to run through trenches whilst gunfire was going, before visiting the trench medic’s tent to learn about frontline medicine during the WWII Normandy Campaign.

Short video of the @KingsBruton historians enjoying the WW2 Trench Experience at the @CVHISTORYFEST! #AmazingHistory #KSBSummerTerm pic.twitter.com/9zPcaSYdeg

— History Department (@KSBHistory) June 26, 2019

Following this busy morning and a great lunch, we enjoyed four lectures from famous historians such as James Holland, Max Hastings, Tom Holland, Kate Williams, George Gilbert, David Reynolds and Tracy Borman. Of particular interest was Kate Williams’ lecture where she highlighted to our Tudor historians the importance of the relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Likewise, James Holland’s overview of the Second World War had us all gripped.

The Chalke Valley History Festival has become a key feature of the King’s Bruton history calendar and we look forward to returning next year!

George Beverly - Chaplain & History Teacher