First World War Centenary in Haringey

As the country marks 100 years since the start of the First World War, Bruce Castle Museum is showcasing historic items from its archives to reveal the story of the borough a century ago.

The 100 Years Ago project, which is being launched today to coincide with the anniversary of the date war was declared in Britain, will display historic letters, photographs and newspaper articles about Haringey during the First World War, exclusively on dedicated web pages.

The first items have already been uploaded  – an article from the Tottenham and Edmonton Weekly Herald, featuring local reaction to the outbreak of war, a photograph of the King Edward’s Horse Regiment on Bounds Green Road and a letter back home from France. (Young Wood Green boy Syd Smith was stranded in France when war was declared. Syd, who had been on a school exchange trip, did eventually make it home but writes to his mum that he had to leave behind his new bicycle.).

The project is just one of several commemorative centenary events and exhibitions that have been taking place across the borough since January, with many more planned over the next four years.

Commemorative events to mark the anniversary of the war include:

• Supporting the Royal British Legion’s Lights Out campaign, with Haringey residents invited to join thousands of others around the country in turning off the lights and lighting a candle between 10 and 11pm tonight, to mark the exact hour that war broke out.
• The re-enactment of an anti-war meeting held outside the Salisbury Pub, Green Lanes, 100 years ago. The event on Tuesday (August 5) – led by the Haringey First World War Peace Forum and supported by Harringay Green Lanes Traders Association – will include short speeches from characters dressed in 1914 clothing and songs from the period.
• The Million Poppies Campaign - a project initiated by Harringay Online, Bowes and Bounds Connected and the Friends of Priory Park  to see a million poppies planted in the borough is also underway, with the symbolic flowers already blooming in a number of locations.
• Guided Crouch End walks on August 9 and 10 to explore the area during the war, with information from the Hornsey Historical Society.
• The launch of the People’s War exhibition at Bruce Castle Museum to take place in November, including residents’ own stories, photos and objects.
• Readings, talks and exhibitions at each of Haringey’s libraries and Bruce Castle Museum, exploring the people and places of the war, such as Spurs player Walter Tull, the first black army officer.
• An exhibition at Alexandra Palace in September about its role as a transit camp for Belgian refugees and an internment camp for German civilians. 

To view the 100 Years Ago project and for full details of events and activities, visit: www.haringey.gov.uk/ww1 

Residents interested in contributing to the People’s War exhibition at Bruce Castle can call 020 8808 8772 or email museum.services@haringey.gov.uk