WIREDGOV

As Wales marks the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, Education Secretary, Kirsty Williams, has launched new bilingual resources for schools based on Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated First World War film, ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’.

Using modern production techniques, the 14-18 NOW arts project have collaborated with the Imperial War Museums (IWM), BBC and Peter Jackson, to restore and colourise previously unseen footage from IWM’s extensive archive.

The Welsh Government has supported the project through its Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 programme of commemoration for the centenary of the First World War with a £25,000 grant. This helped ensure that supporting materials for the film would also be available in Welsh.

Aberdare Community School tested the learning resources in their History lessons, enabling 14-18 NOW to adjust and finalise them before they were circulated to all schools across Wales.

Kirsty Williams today joined pupils in Aberdare Community School to find out more about their involvement in the project and to see the new film.

Speaking at the launch today, she said:

“I have  been  encouraged  by  the  way  in  which  people  have  engaged  with  the  First World War commemorations  and particularly the  number  of  projects  that  have  been  undertaken by young people across Wales.

“I’m pleased we were able to support the 14-18 NOW project to develop resources which accompany this documentary and engage schools. It’s so important we continue to recognise the sacrifice made by those young men a hundred years ago.”

They Shall Not Grow Old will be screened in cinemas and schools across the UK, before being broadcast this Sunday 11th November at 9.30pm on BBC2.