History Squad: Latest News

Latest Film Project

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:41:54 +0000

Berlin, November 1938. An average German Family waits anxiously at the dinner table; the streets have been in uproar all day. They know they are not safe but they are trapped. Follow them into the ensuing Holocaust as each tells, in turn, the story of their journey and see who survives.

History Squad together with Blue Hippo Media have once again joined forces to make an original film called The Journey. Purpose made for the education market, it will illustrate to students the subject of the Holocaust which will enable them to think critically about history and its contemporary comparisons and raise understanding and tolerance. THE FILM ONCE FINISHED WILL BE USED THROUGHOUT THE UK AND INTERNATIONALLY BY SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES as well as be entered into INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS.

We really do appreciate that money is tight for everyone at the moment, but this is a chance for you to have a real hand in making this film happen and encouraging tolerance and understanding across many borders.

There is a relatively new concept of “Crowd Funding” in which everyone can ‘get into the movies’. It means that even small donations really will make a big difference and enable us to complete the film.

There are various levels of investment you might consider:
In addition to a very big thank you from us,
£25 will get your name in the credits together with a copy of the DVD.
£50 will get your name in the credits together with a copy of the DVD and 2 invites to the premiere.
£100 will get you all of the above plus 2 copies of the DVD, 4 invites to the premiere and a signed copy of the script.
£1,500 (only 4 available). Major sponsors will receive all of the above plus a special evening/screening of the film, together with a talk by the writer & Director/producer. A visit to the set during filming and 10 invites to the premiere and after party and their logo with “supported by” on the credits.

This is a great opportunity to get involved with a really interesting educational project. If you, your school, business or organisation would consider making an investment or even arrange a fund-raising event in order to help with in this remarkable venture, please get in touch with Kevin Hicks on 01926 613700 or email us at info@historysquad.co.uk

Titanic is Launched Again

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:27:12 +0000

Today marks the launch of a brand new presentation about the Titanic. I’ve been working on a Health & Safety project recently designed for adults, using history as a medium. I was discussing this on Poppy Day with Miss Page, an English Teacher at Finham Park School, Coventry and she suggested I might like to try the presentation out on her Year 9 English group who are using the Titanic as a topic in their studies.

So today I arrived (dressed for dinner onboard ship) with a few artefacts I’ve collected including an almost finished model of the ship with lights!

The model alone wowed the students but when they saw me, resplendent in my dinner jacket, they really were impressed. The students discussed some of the individuals on board ship and I was able to add to their knowledge and also dispel many of the myths that have arisen through the Hollywood films. I was also able to show the type of rivet used on the ship and explain how Titanic was built.

The students seemed to get a lot out of the time I spent with them, there were no interruptions and all their questions were relevant, but there again, this is a good school.

Book Review – A Brummie Boy Goes to War

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:17:48 +0000

This is a book I found recently. Being a Brummie myself and an ex-soldier I felt it was a book I had to read. Written by Andrew Norman, this book charts his life of Thomas Waldin, a 19-year old from the poverty stricken back-to-backs in Birmingham. Young Tom volunteered for the British Army in 1915 where he served in my Great Grandfather’s regiment 8^th battalion Rifle Brigade up until he suffered terrible wounds. It’s a fascinating book that charts his whole life and despite the hardships described is an uplifting read.

EDGE HILL BATTLEFIELD TOUR IS LAUNCHED

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:09:12 +0000

A group of 30 excited students from the West Midlands, through the Gifted and Talented Partnership joined together for our first ever Edge Hill Battlefield tour. The youngsters were completely absorbed by the stories and accounts of the battle. After walking the battlefield, complete with musketry displays and discovering the graves of some of the fallen, they finished the tour tired but totally and completely inspired. No doubt this talented bunch will have had plenty of stimuli to produce some astounding pieces of written work, which we hope to add to the site soon.

Book Review – The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz by Denis Avy

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:06:07 +0000

This is the true story of a British soldier who marched willingly into Buna-Monowitz, the concentration camp known as Auschwitz III. In the summer of 1944, Denis Avey was being held in a POW labour camp nearby. He had heard of the brutality meted out to the prisoners there and was determined to witness what he could. He hatched a plan to swap places with a Jewish inmate and smuggled himself into a sector of the camp where he experienced at first-hand the cruelty of the Nazis. Astonishingly he survived and after his own long trek across central Europe he was repatriated to Britain. It’s a tale as gripping as it is moving and has taught me much more about a subject I thought I knew a lot about.

Roman Competition Winner

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:54:34 +0000

After much deliberation and sifting through of some wonderful drawings of Roman soldiers and armour, we have chosen the winner which depicts a centurion by Alisa Gerasimidis from Wellington School. The prize for the school is a presentation Roman gladius, which will be presented on our next visit to the school in October. Well done Alisa. Ailsa's Picture

Early Bird Booking

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:33:47 +0000

History Squad are now taking bookings for the 2011/2012 season and look forward to hearing from schools both new and old. To help you make more of your budget, we promise to maintain our existing rates for all next year’s dates providing you book before the 31^st July 2011. It’s a great excuse to get your diaries out and organise a fabulous day for your school. Just go to our calendar page to see what dates you would like and email us to confirm.

A Night at Kenilworth Castle

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:18:24 +0000

This Saturday 25^th June, lucky winners of a English Heritage Father’s Day competition will spend a night at Kenilworth Castle, one of the largest castle ruins in England.

Kenilworth has been the scene of countless sieges and murders and is closely linked with some of the greatest names and events in English history from Henry II to Henry V who spent time there after defeating the French in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

This ‘money can’t buy prize includes exclusive access to the grounds after hours, History Squad’s medieval knight as the host and a sleep over in the Stables.

For more information about Kenilworth Castle, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk Also History Squad offer schools, brilliant costumed guided tours and archery demonstrations at Kenilworth as well as other castles Click here for details.

G&T at Whitley Court ..... Gifted and Talented that is.

Thu, 26 May 2011 19:13:00 +0000

We spent a delightful day with gifted and talented youngsters in the gardens at Whitley Court, telling them stories of life upstairs and downstairs at the Court, inspiring them to create their own stories later at school. An added bonus for me was that as a result of my recent eye surgery, I’m now able to see a lot more colours and the children delighted in helping me identify colours of flowers that I’d never seen before – absolute joy!