#histfest

Voices and Images from World War One

The Bath Literature Festival is in full swing and it has already contributed greatly to the knowledge of the untold stories of the First World War. The Festival has featured numerous events that mark the centenary of the war but there are plenty more opportunities to explore this issue. If you have been unable to attend any of the topical events through the week, Emily Mayhew’s Wounded is definitely the one to find yourself at.

Wounded gives exposure to the otherwise overlooked experiences of the men and women who treated injured soldiers in the First World War. Emily Mayhew follows the theoretical route of a soldier on his return from the trenches through unpublished diary entries and letters from the medical staff that would have been on-hand to treat him. So come down to Wounded and experience the personal and sometimes harrowing story of the Medical Staff of the British Army as they dealt with the appalling conditions of the front line while attempting to save lives.

Date: 9th March 2014

Time: 18.15 – 19.15

Location: Old Theatre Royal, 12 Old Orchard Street, Bath, BA1 1JU

Price: £8 (£7)

Reviews of the book:

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/books/wounded-from-battlefield-to-blighty-1914-18-by-emily-mayhew/2008089.article

http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/428990/Book-review-Wounded-From-Battlefield-To-Blighty-1914-1918-by-Emily-Mayhew

Written by Harry Naughton, Ed. by Sara Bird

Bath Literature Festival returned to the Guildhall yesterday for another exciting and interesting event.  Great War Fashion was hosted by the highly entertaining and passionate Lucy Adlington who showed us the unquestionable impact the First World War had, on fashion especially, but also on society in general.

Adlington looked at how the changes in what women were wearing demonstrated serious social and political statements; statements that would not have had the platform for expression had the war not been concentrated on the home front. From the straight lined dresses that were a reaction to the relatively racy clothes the Suffragettes wore, to the female work trousers that caused such a stir when they were introduced, Lucy Adlington presented the changes in trends and the role of women in society in an informed and authoritative manner – as well as modelling an outfit towards the end of the war.

The commonly held belief that Britain did not have a home front in the First World War was dispelled as the effects that rationing had on the female figure and the formation of the Land Army, were thoroughly explored. Despite the home front being more apparent in the Second World War, especially with the advent of the Blitz, it should not be forgotten that Britain also experienced similar conditions and events, such as bomber raids, during the First World War. The problem lay in the fact that it is not as keenly documented and this was something that Adlington wanted to address in her book. The event was promoting her most recent volume, Great War Fashion, and the audience could not avoid this as they were constantly reminded, but in need of, the references to it. Adlington, among other pursuits such as writing and acting, is a costume historian, specialising in 19th and 20th century clothing and she did not fail to live up to expectations. The centre aisle became a conveniently placed catwalk as she exhibited a contemporary female suit and rather more discreetly some underwear - which the audience were informed would be best described as bloomers. She performed in character throughout, she commanded the stage and kept the audience captivated as she took them on a journey to an otherwise unexplored land of silk and radium.

With refreshingly little reference to Downton Abbey, numerous interesting facts and quotes, glorious original garments, advice about surviving car boot sales in York and an energy that permeated the room, Great War Fashion displayed the styles of the time in the same spirit it was formed, with great pluck and conviction.

Written by Harry Naughton

Lucy Adlington: writer, actress and costume historian - specialising in early twentieth century dress, is hosting Great War Fashion in the Bath Guildhall at 14.45 today. The unique event is just one outlet for her extensive coverage of fashion in this period, so let us take a look at Lucy's journey into the wardrobe.

Lucy holds both an English Degree from Cambridge University and a Masters in Medieval Studies from the University of York.

For 15 years she hosted interactive workshops and presentations for museums, schools and heritage sites.

She collects 19th and 20th century costume and has created The History Wardrobe website which is a useful platform that exhibits her work and how to contact her.

Apart from Great War Fashion: Tales From The History Wardrobe she has also published five history themed teen fiction books - Night Witches, The Diary of Pelly D, Cherry Heaven, The Glittering Eye and Burning Mountain.

If you want to come as close as you can get to mentally and physically experiencing what it was like for the Women of the War then you need to find yourself at Great War Fashion today. If you can't make it, there are plenty of other events of a similar nature at the Bath Literature Festival which is running until the 9th March.

Find these here: http://bathfestivals.org.uk/literature/

Some other useful links:

Great War Fashion book site: http://www.greatwarfashion.com/

History Wardrobe: http://www.historywardrobe.com/

Lucy's Blog: http://ljadlingtonfiction.wordpress.com/