Year 6 pupils at Albany Primary School are staging a public exhibition to showcase the school’s history as a military hospital in the First World War.
The school on Albany Road, Roath was converted to use as a military hospital from 1914-1919 while pupils attended other local primary schools. It will open its doors to the community on Saturday 18 October between 10am and 3.30pm –the school’s first public exhibition.
Pupils have spent the half term researching the history of the school including a visit to the Glamorgan Archives to study the headmaster’s log books from the time. Their research and work will be on display.
The school project is a partnership with Roath Remembers which aims to digitally capture and preserve First World War memories, stories and artefacts from the community. Anyone with Roath connections who has a story to tell, picture or medals to share is invited to visit the Roath Remembers researchers who will be at the exhibition to record them. Roath Remembers has been established by the team here at roathcardiff.net and is funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War; then and now programme.
The exhibition will include the original architect’s drawing of the hospital plan and photographs of the school in use as a hospital including classrooms converted to wards and large crowds gathering outside to welcome arriving patients. Also on display will be a large scale map from the time which shows the school at the heart of a growing city and the Roll of Honour on loan from Albany Baptist Church showing the names of local men who served.
Wil Howlett, deputy headteacher said:
“This project has really brought history to life for the pupils. The children have been excited by the opportunity to research information about their own school and share it with members of the wider community through this exhibition”.
The exhibition is also part of this year’s Made in Roath community arts festival.
To contact the Roath Remembers project visit www.roathremembers.net
Exhibition details:
Date: 18 October 2014
Time: 10am to 3.30pm
Place: Albany Primary School, Albany Road Entrance, Roath
