The Isle of Wight Family History Society (IWFHS) is hosting a major Conference and Exhibition to mark the centenary commemoration of the start of World War I next month.
To be held at the prestigious venue of Northwood House in Cowes, which was used as a hospital during the Great War, the Conference and Exhibition will bring together representatives of many local Isle of Wight, and some national, societies and groups which are marking the centenary of World War I in many different ways.
The IWFHS has engaged three speakers who will focus on different aspects of the War as it related to the Isle of Wight. The speakers include Richard Smout, the IW Council Heritage Services Manager; Harry Willis Fleming, who will relate the experience of his forebear Richard Willis Fleming in the War and the creation of the Memorial Shrines at Havenstreet and North Stoneham and John Medland, a local historian who will talk about the contribution of Islanders in the armed forces.
Groups represented in the Exhibition spaces at Northwood House will include the Isle of Wight Family History Society, The Scout movement, Historic Ryde Society, Northwood and Gurnard WWI project, The National Trust, War Memorials Trust, Ventnor and District Local History Society, Friends of Northwood Cemetery, IW County Record Office, Cowes Heritage Society, Ryde Social Heritage Group and the Hampshire Genealogical Society, amongst others.
The Conference will include the Annual General meeting for Members only of the IWFHS, but the Exhibition spaces will be open to the general public from 10:30 to 17:00 on Saturday 3rd May.
Tickets for the event are priced at £8 for members of the IWFHS, £10 for non-memebrs for the Exhibition and the three talks or £2 for the exhibition only. Depending on availability, tickets for individual talks can be purchased on the day for £3
Tickets for the event may be obtained by application (cheques only please, payable to IWFHS, with SAE) to The Treasurer, IWFHS, Wight Haven, Weston Lane, Totland, Isle of Wight, PO39 0HE.
A representative of Northwood House will also offer guided tours of the House for small groups for £1 per person.
Further information can be found on the IWFHS website at https://www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk/odc2014.html.
