Wivenhoe school pupils commemorate D-Day anniversary with exhibition
10 June 2024
Pupils in Wivenhoe have been learning about the important role the town played in the D-Day landings through a special history project.
In the lead up to the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, The Year 5 students from Broomgrove Junior and Millfields Primary schools attended workshops with local historian Phil Long.
They learnt about the ships built in Wivenhoe during World War II and the creation of the Mulberry Harbours for the D-Day landings. Through The Wivenhoe Society, Mr Long applied for a grant from five-star housebuilder Persimmon Homes Essex to fund the project and buy materials for the children to create their own replica harbour, as well as funding a future project linked to the Great Earthquake of 1884.
Their work went on display on Thursday, June 6, at the William Loveless Hall in Wivenhoe to coincide with the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Local historian, Phil Long said: “Thank you to Persimmon, without their help we would not have been able to stage this exhibition.
“Creating these models has helped make the children understand the role Wivenhoe played in D-Day and has also led to conversations with grandparents that has strengthened their knowledge.”
Mayor of Wivenhoe, Cllr Denise Burke, visited the exhibition on Thursday and said: “We are delighted with the work Phil has done with the children of our two local schools.
“The exhibition is amazing and demonstrates the contribution that Wivenhoe made to World War II. We are very grateful to Persimmon for this very generous donation.”
Richard Hush, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes Essex, said: “This project is preserving Wivenhoe’s shipbuilding history for a future generation and ensuring the role Wivenhoe played in D-Day is remembered for years to come. It is an honour to have been able to support the project, and the future work of The Wivenhoe Society.”
