ROYAL ARSENAL TO HOST MAJOR COMMUNITY HISTORY EVENT

The Community History Day will show how the Royal Artillery have shaped family history in the area of Woolwich

Firepower’s experts will explain how medals can help you add to your family history.

On the day and evening of Saturday 16 May, the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, south-east London, will host the first Royal Arsenal Community History Day. Visitors will be able to experience a full day and night’s activity in and around Firepower The Royal Artillery Museum and the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.

Firepower’s Living History Team will be bringing the past to life with their historic characters while fans of family history can get advice about researching their own family tree from Firepower’s own genealogy experts. Local author and Royal Artillery expert Brigadier Ken Timbers will be giving talks on the history of the Royal Arsenal and the unique architectural gem within the Royal Arsenal - the Old Royal Military Academy. Local Scouts will also be performing Gang Show routines.

Local residents (those with an SE18 or SE28 postcode) will enjoy free entry to the Museum with proof of identity. The event will go on until 10pm as part of the Europe-wide Museums at Night programme. There will be a display of previously unseen historic photographs of the Royal Arsenal complex and its workers so local residents can look for their relatives and ancestors. The fun continues into the evening with expert guided tours of the Royal Arsenal while lectures by Firepower’s Curator will tell the gripping and moving stories behind some of the Museum’s collection of medals awarded for bravery. The Museum’s refurbished Café (fully licensed, 3 course menu) will also remain open until 10pm.

“This is the first community history event to take place in the Royal Arsenal” says Firepower’s Eileen Noon “We want to showcase the heritage of this fascinating part of south-east London and highlight how people’s own history may be entwined with the history of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich and perhaps the Royal Artillery. We are delighted to offer free admission to local residents for this event to encourage them to find out that history can be fascinating and fun.”

Firepower is located in the historic Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, London, between the A206 and the Thames.

Admission costs: Local residents with an SE18 or SE28 postcode will enjoy free entry to the Museum with proof of identity. Other visitors - adults £5.00, children £2.50, concessions £4.50. Discounted family tickets are also available.For more information about Firepower visit http://www.firepower.org.uk/, call 020 8855 7755 or email info@firepower.org.uk.