The Driffield and Wolds Weekly reports on Corporal Parsons and his recruiting rhetoric at Driffield School and sixth form.
 In soaring temperatures Corporal Parsons didn’t falter in his mission to recruit youngsters as well as the odd adult to Kitchener’s new Army. All willing participants in this theatrical historical presentation learned something of the recruiting process of the Great War through role play and Corporal Parsons’s educational narrative.  All recruits completed the first phase of their training with Corporal Parsons by swearing the oath of allegiance to King George V and were suitably rewarded with a certificate.  A very successful group of presentations delivered on the hour every hour in liaison with the Army Benevolent Fund (The Soldiers Charity).
On the morning of 13 July 2016, Corporal parsons delivered an interactive, pupil engaging recruiting workshop for year eight pupils. The presentations concentrated on the recruitment process and training of volunteers in The Great War. Corporal Parsons was followed after lunch by further year eight students visiting Private Parsons in his trench on the Somme front in France. They all learned from Private Parsons accounts of life and routine on the Western Front in 1916.  Private Parsons with the head of the History Department of Driffield High School and Sixth Form.
Sergeant Parsons, along with members of the 10th Essex living history group presented to residents of Ruthin in North Wales on the weekend of the 9th and 10th of July 2016.  The presentations which Sergeant Parsons delivered were centered on his roles and the responsibilities of him his colleagues in the Regimental Aid Post. The presentations coincided with the Town of Ruthin’s commemorations of the centenary of the Battle of Mametz Wood as part of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
 On the afternoon of Sunday 3rd July 2016 Corporal Parsons delighted audiences. The sun was shining and the beauty of an English Sunday summer afternoon was enhanced by the abundance of khaki clad individuals.  Astley Hall in Lancashire was bathed in the notes of brass band music entwined by the strains of Corporal Parsons who was delivering recruitment and training presentations. Adults and children alike were delighted to be involved in the learning through activities presentations which were delivered to them.  The Pals in the Park open day at Astley Hall near Chorley Lancashire was the culmination of months of hard work by the Chorley Pals Memorial who were determined that the general public would commemorate the great sacrifices of the Battle of the Somme which began 100 years ago.
 Woodend has a unique and fascinating history. The original site comprises a Grade ll* listed house, built in 1835 for a civil engineer called George Knowles. The house overlooks the English Heritage-registered Valley Gardens below, and onwards to the sea, in Scarborough’s beautiful South Bay. The Sitwell family bought the house in 1870 and it was in the Sitwell Library that Sergeant Parsons presented to the audience made up of local residents who had brought tickets to enjoy this theatrical historical experience.  Why not visit Woodend on 19 August to experience another Parsons Period Presentation entitled Mud, Blood and Thuds?
Perfect for the entire family! |
Archives
February 2021
Categories |
RSS Feed
