Beamish needs you!

January 22nd 2016

On May 21st and 22nd Beamish will celebrate Empire and Flag Weekend, the museum is looking for young people’s uniformed organisations to join in with a thought provoking and fascinating weekend at the museum. 

Empire Day was first celebrated in 1902, following the end of the Boer War. Traditionally held on May 24th on the birthday of Queen Victoria – it was intended to encourage people, especially children, to be aware of their duties as citizens of the British Empire.

In 2016 we also plan to tell the story of Flag Day, as part of our First World War Commemorations. Flag Days were held by organisations to raise money for causes including soldiers on the front line, prisoners of war and support for disabled servicemen.  Whilst we will not be raising money for charity we will be commemorating and celebrating the important contribution that young people made towards fundraising during the First World War.

We’ll have brass band performances, traditional displays, craft activities and a chance to learn more about the Empire and Flag Days with the highlight of the day being the parade at 2.30pm from the Town to the Pit Village, we would like to invite young peoples uniformed organisations from around the region and across the country  to join in with this important occasion.

Matthew Henderson – Engagement and Participation Assistant at the museum said “We would love to invite young people’s groups and organisations to the museum to celebrate the great work that young people do nowadays and commemorate the work young people did during the First World War”.

“The museum will offer discounted entry to selected groups and their friends and family to allow everyone to join us to commemorate and celebrate the work that young people did during the First World War, for the young people being involved in the parade could be something that will stay with them forever, we’re hoping we’ll have a great response” Gemma Stevenson – Events Officer

If you are a member of a young peoples uniformed organisation such as the Brownies or Scouts and would like more details on Empire and Flag Weekend please contact Gemma Stevenson (Events Officer) on 0191 370 4052/gemmastevenson@beamish.org.uk or Matthew Henderson (Engagement and Participation Team Assistant) on 0191 370 4069/matthewhenderson@beamish.org.uk

Unfortunately we are now up to capacity of groups taking part in this weekend however do plan to repeat the event in the future, if you would like to be kept on file, please do get in touch.