DSC00377Children from Mousehole School were given a taste of life in a World War One trench during a visit to Paul Church on Thursday.

Members of the congregation, led by Vicar Andrew Yates have transformed the inside of the church complete with a trench, Roses of No Man’s Land – Wenches in Trenches and rats. In fact, Rev Yates had bought so many toy rats that Penzance shops had sold out!

As well as learning about the work of the nurses and how it would have felt to be a soldier, the children were also able to create a mural of poppies using potato printing, learn about the large stain glass window which remembers those who have given their lives in war and make poppies to commemorate local men who’d given their lives in the First World War but also all wars since including Afghanistan and Iraq.

Rev Yates said: “We felt that the children would get a much better understanding of World War One by taking part in interactive activities and through walking in a trench and meeting the nurses. We are really grateful to everyone who has helped us to do this including Graham Prodger from the Royal British Legion and Sue Robinson and Sue McGill from Roses of No Man’s Land – Wenches in Trenches and all those from our congregation who have given up their time to keep the stories and memories alive.”

Alex Mullaney, Lugger Class Teacher at Mousehole School said: “This term our focus of religious education at Mousehole has been Christianity and the theme of remembrance. We have looked at what it means to be a hero and how it is relevant to our everyday lives.

“Thanks to all the hard work of Andrew Yates and the volunteers at the church, the children have been able to immerse themselves in learning about WWI and the act of remembrance. The thought provoking activities at the church have opened up and facilitated some very moving and poignant discussions about war and remembrance back at school. Discussions that I don’t think would have happened without hands on experiences.”

The displays and activities will remain up until after Remembrance Day on Sunday and the church is open to visitors who may want to see the displays or get up close and personal with the large remembrance glass window.