Somme Seminar 

Date: Saturday 18th April 10am – 3pm

Location: Hartlepool Headland Baptist Church.

As we approach the 110th Anniversary of the 1st Battle of the Somme, we are holding an all-day seminar to look at the various events that lead to the battle and the battle itself. We will be combining various methods to describe the narrative from poetry to eyewitness accounts and Q&A. There will also be a full handling collection available for object association and recognition during the talk.

The talk will be an excellent opportunity to discover more about the Somme, whether you have a general interest in the First World War, are currently studying the subject at school/college or university or just generally interested in history. The seminar will be given by local eminent historians Dr. John Sadler BA (Hons) M.Phil, FRHistS, FSA (Scotl.) and Beverly A. Crowley BA (Hons) MA(Dunelm) DipLCM ALCM(TD).

Tickets will be £5 a person for the event available from Ticketsource: Release Date TBC

Morning Session 10.00 – 12.00 £5

  • Causes of the war, Battle of the Frontiers, Race for the sea,
  • Britain responds, Kitchener battalions,
  • Weapons of war,
  • Break at 11.00 – 11.15,
  • Trench warfare with music in the trenches,
  • 1915 – deadlock
  • The Chantilly conference and Allied plans for 1916

Lunch/Break 12pm – 1pm

Afternoon Session 1pm -3pm £5

  • Von Falkenhayn strikes first – Verdun,
  • Plans for the Somme offensive,
  • Dreadful notes of preparation,
  • Break at 14.00 – 14.15,
  • 1st July 1916,
  • 3rd July attacks and after (Belville & High Woods),
  • Flers and the genesis of the tank,
  • The final push, Durhams at Butte de Warlancourt.

All day ticket price £8, also includes entry to Somme Commemoration Event on 4th of July at Heugh Battery Museum.