Re-Creations of Everyday WWII Life at Kentwell

Kentwell's Re-Creations

Kentwell had a major role when Hall and Park were requisitioned by the Army. The Re-Creations of WWII life attempt to re-create as faithfully as possible how life of the family then living at the Hall and their staff was affected by the War. Although there is always a service aspect, we tend to comcentrate more upon Civilian Life and the effect the War had upon civilians daily life.

We have three WWII Weekend Re-Creations each year. None seeks to be on the massive scale of our very first WWII Re-Creation in 1995 for the 50th anniversary of VE Day.

Whit sun Re-Creation - The Home Guard & 1940s Fete

That at Whitsun takes as its theme a 1940s Fundraising Fete. Raising money for the troops was a part of everyday life. Not much money may have been raised (compared with the huge cost of the War) but it enabled every citizen to feel involved. [The money we raise from the Fete each year always goes to a Service Charity.]  We also shall have during this weekend in 2009 a Whodunit Mystery which visitors can try to solve (if they wish) and thereby become more involved in our Re-Creation.  This year it is the Great Meat Rationing Mystery.

That in August concentrates upon a range of Civil defence Exercises. We have the Home Guard drilling, at Bayonet Practice, (perhaps) trying an Assault Course, and at Battle School - a mock battle at which the poorly armed Home Guard practise their skills.

That in October re-creates the time when the Army moved in and requisitioned the Hall and Park. We make no attempt to re-create the Transit Camp in the Park on each side of the Avenue where vast numbers of troops were stationed in Nissen Huts or the large number of tanks, which were parked beneath the trees in the Avenue. Instead, for these Re-Creations we concentrate upon the House where the family were still in residence but which served also as the Garrison for the Camp and as the Officers' Mess, and its immediate environs where a number of limited military activities took place.

Mr & Mrs Starkie Bence were permitted after requisitioning to remain in residence in part of the House (a concession not accorded to all those whose House was requisitioned), so there was a certain tension between the family and its (remaining staff) and the Army..

List of WWII Weekend Re-Creations