A NEW contemporary film and sound exhibition will open next week in Evesham as part of a creative lighting trail in the town centre.
The Hut of Silence will open from 9am to 4.30pm every day from October 18 to November 28 at All Saints Church and is part of the community engagement programme for Wychavon District Council’s Enlighten Project.
The new installation has been designed and created by David and Jacqui Grange from Creative Solutions and commemorates Evesham’s sacrifices in World War One, drawing upon the memories and reflections of local people.
During the First World War, the Churches in Evesham fund-raised for ‘Huts of Silence’ which were installed at barracks both at home and abroad as ‘refuges from the turmoil and interruption of the camp’.
As part of the preparations, Creative Solutions interviewed local groups such as Evesham dementia café and the British Legion about their memories of family in the war. They also met with Prince Henrys School students who helped design the ‘hut’, as well as local historian Peter Stewart who shared his local knowledge on the subject.
There will be four ‘live edit’ sessions where the public can contribute their thoughts and memories of family or Evesham in during the conflict or other wars. These will be uploaded to the exhibition so it changes over its time period. These will run from midday to 2pm on November 1, 12 and 22 at the bandstand in Abbey Park and from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on November 17 at All Saints Church.
Jenny Davis, arts development officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “It is so exciting to be able to bring contemporary arts to Evesham and also on such an emotive subject. We’ve really enjoyed talking to people about their memories and can’t wait to hear more.
“It’s brilliant the installation will change over the life of the work and a great way to commemorate 100 years since the end of First World War.”
Jacqui Grange of Creative Solutions said: “We wrapped the statue in a letter from L.Corporal Alfred Woodcock, who is named on the memorial, to his wife. We were humbled by both the stories that were shared with us that day, and the number of people who engaged with us to share gratitude for this great sacrifice.”
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