History Squad: Latest News

Widney and Solihull U3A

Sat, 19 May 2012 12:00:07 +0000

It was quite daunting to stand up in front of a packed hall of students of the University of the Third Age yesterday. You could already tell many of them were historians in their own right, but as soon as I began my lecture on the Titanic, you could hear a pin drop. When it was over, I was absolutely staggered by one gentleman who stood up to tell me that in all his days he had never heard such a wonderful presentation as the one I’d just given, this was accompanied by thunderous applause. I was humbled to say the least.

Titanic; A Health & Safety Nightmare is my latest presentation and one that will appeal to a wide audience. If anyone is interested in booking it for their group or club, please get in touch.

Gunfire in Westminster

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:59:02 +0000

In the shadow of the Houses of Parliament, I had the great pleasure of working at Westminster Under School last week. Thankfully the school had the foresight to contact the local constabulary to warn them of the impending musketry display as we didn’t want the armed response team turning up to join in.

Before lunch, I gave a medieval presentation and stories on Crecy & Agincourt as Year 5 are going on a visit there this week. Suffice to say they were bowled over by the archery demonstrations and will set off to France with a real knowledge and understanding of that time in history.

After lunch, we covered the Civil War. The children were very well informed and we went on to debate the rights and wrongs of Charles 1. The youngsters themselves came to the conclusion that the King was out of touch with his people and didn’t understand parliament but on the other hand he was a loving father and husband.

David Kendall commented “Thank you so much for the most incredible day. You have a real gift for connecting with the pupils and bringing the subject to life. All the boys were buzzing after your talks, not only of the gory parts, but the way in which the whole period was brought to life. Your ability to speak with such expertise and passion has allowed those off to Agincourt next week to gain a real awareness of that fateful day and the true cost of wars.”

Thank you to David and the rest of the staff for being so welcoming and making my trip into the city a very enjoyable one.

Lovely feedback

Tue, 01 May 2012 16:06:13 +0000

Here is some lovely feedback from a school I visited back in March; they were great kids. click here to see the letter.

Competition - Win a copy of "Story Of A Secret State"

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:08:37 +0000

To celebrate the publication of the new paperback edition of Story of a Secret State: My Report to the World by Jan Karski, History Squad have teamed up with Penguin publishers to give you the chance to win 1 of 2 copies of the book.

The book follows the life of a young Polish student who enjoys a life of parties and pleasure until the war breaks out in 1939 and his familiar world is destroyed. He must then live under a new identity, in the resistance. And, in a secret mission that could change the course of the war, he must risk his own life to try and save those of millions.

Penguin is also offering you 20% OFF Story of a Secret State and all Penguin books. Simply visit Penguin Books and enter the code ssspenguin at the checkout.

For a chance to win; name the two capital cities that the exiled Polish government was located in.
CLICK HERE on our contact form to submit your answer.

Competition ends: 30/6/12

Book Review: The Story of a Secret State by Jan Karski

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:40:09 +0000

I’ve just read the most incredible book; first published in 1944 it is the true story of a Polish resistance operative whose struggle against the Nazis really is a truly inspiring story. It was Jan that brought the news out of Poland to the west about the Warsaw Ghetto and the death camps. I was gripped from beginning to end and although I have read many books on the Nazis and the Holocaust, this particular book has left me with a huge admiration for the Polish people and their stand against the Nazis. I would recommend this book to anyone.

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.