18 October 2010 Eastbourne’s Napoleonic Fortress is getting ready for a bumper half-term and inviting families to practice their blackout survival skills, become a life sized paper soldier and grab a last peek at the Eric Ravilious Artist at War exhibition.
In a special Home Front event next week on Thursday, children and families can take inspiration from the Redoubt’s 2010 Front Line Eastbourne display and practice how to survive a blackout, build an air raid shelter, bandage a casualty and safeguard their home.
And on Saturday 30 October, the historic attraction on Eastbourne seafront is putting a callout for volunteers in The Redoubt Army Needs You, a family drop-in day. Children and adults will be able to put their creative skills to the test and turn themselves into life sized paper soldiers as part of the UK’s Big Draw celebration.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “The Redoubt Fortress makes the perfect attraction for the October half-term when parents are looking to keep the children entertained and the special events next week are a great way to make history fun and hands-on! Combined with the Redoubt’s permanent collections as well as the fascinating Front Line display, half-term is a brilliant time for children studying history at school, to get a real insight into life in the war and see artefacts up close that they will be learning about during the year. And with a great new range of souvenirs in the shop, I’d encourage visitors to take a look before they go home!”
Visitors can also take the opportunity to take a last look at the Eric Ravilious Artist at War exhibition next week offering the chance to view prints of war paintings made by the Eastbourne artist when he took the post of Official War Artist at the end of 1939.
Over three years Ravilious produced a series of watercolours, drawings and lithographs depicting military life at home and overseas before his life was cut short when he became one of only three Official War Artists to die on active service. The Artist at War exhibition is on now until 7 November.
For more information on what’s on at the Redoubt and to find out about the Stitching Appeal in preparation for a new 2011 display, visit the Eastbourne Museums website or call 01323 410300.
