Subscribe now for full access and no adverts
Napoleonic war camp saved for the nation
The first purpose-built prisoner-of-war camp in the world – dating from the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars – has been saved for future generations through its recent purchase by Nene Park Trust, with funding from Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The camp, known as Norman Cross, is located near Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, and it would have once housed around 7,000 French prisoners. In operation from 1797 to 1814, it functioned as a completely self-contained town, with its own barracks, offices, hospital, school, marketplace, and even banking system.
Now that the camp was been acquired by the Nene Park Trust, plans are under way to open it to the public, allowing visitors to explore and appreciate the site.
Welcoming Welsh
A new report, commissioned by the Welsh Government, shows a marked shift towards using Welsh-language place names.
The results of the study showed that, between 2018 and 2023, local authorities received three times more applications for Welsh street names than English. And, in all regions of Wales, when a property name was changed it was three times more likely to be renamed in Welsh than in English.
Commenting on the research, Welsh Language Secretary Mark Drakeford said: ‘Place names help tell the story of who we are as a nation, and this new research helps us understand our linguistic landscape. I’m encouraged to see more people embracing Welsh property names, regardless of their background.’
Remembering the Bradford City fire
A new project, led by Mia Coe, a PhD student in Archaeology at the University of Bradford, is inviting all those affected by the Bradford City football club fire, which took place on 11 May 1985, to share their recollections of the event. The aim of the project is to memorialise the event, while also developing strategies to help those living with historical trauma. It is part of a growing area of research that looks at how heritage and archaeology can be used as a form of therapy.
Dr Kirsten Riches-Suman of the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU) at the University of Bradford, said: ‘The PSBRU is delighted to be supporting Mia with this important work. While the clinical research in our unit is dedicated to improving burn and wound care in the here and now, this project will help us to understand how we can further advocate for the people who were affected by the tragedy 40 years ago.’
Karina Croucher, Professor of Archaeology, Heritage, and Wellbeing at the University of Bradford, and Mia’s principal supervisor on the project, said: ‘We are delighted to support this important research which feeds into the growing use of archaeology and heritage for wellbeing today, exploring how the past can be used to positively impact communities.’
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Photo: Historic England Archive
