Railway in Wartime ‘Bomb Happy’

New for 2016, The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is working with York Normandy Veterans and Everwitch Theatre to create an innovative new verbatim play as part of the annual Railway in Wartime event.

The play will be based on the first hand experiences of D-Day and the subsequent battles to liberate France by the last five living members of York Normandy Veterans. ‘Bomb Happy’ will be performed on the 14th October at 8pm at Pickering Station, Platform 2, in an original 1930’s historic railway carriage.

This extraordinary new play, built from testimonies of the last remaining York Normandy Veterans, explores through first hand experiences how at the tender age of 18 years these ordinary young conscripts found themselves part of the Normandy Landings.

“The noise was horrific. We used to say we were bomb happy…after several months of constant shelling, you begin to get-it’s not shell shock – but we used to say we were bomb happy. And I could just feel that starting in myself, and I had to get out…” (excerpt from play).

One such veteran, George Meredith, volunteered at the NYMR for 10 years restoring wagons, and has this month been presented with the Legion D’Honneur medal by senior personnel of the French Armed Forces, honouring his bravery.

Aged just sixteen years old when he signed up for the army, George explains, “My friends who were eighteen went and signed up, and I didn’t want to be left behind! We wanted to fight for our country.

The York Normandy Veterans are all getting older – there are only five of us left now. So it’s important to us that this project happens so that younger generations will know about our experiences.”

Chris Price, General Manager at the railway said “The play is of vital importance as it documents what a great contribution the Normandy veterans have made to all our lives. The play uses the actual words of the veterans thus giving first-hand accounts of D-Day and battles in France, Belgium and Holland”.

The play will be created from interviews with the York Normandy Veterans documenting their experiences of D-Day and the subsequent battles to liberate Europe, together with archived interviews held at York Explore. Tickets cost £15 per person, contact Customer Services on 01751 472508. This is a static 60-minute performance (It does not include a rail journey). Rehearsed reading of a brand new play.

For further information on Railway in Wartime visit nymr.co.uk/wartime/ Prices from £26 for adults and £13 for children or families can take advantage of the family ticket, starting from £54. Pickering to Grosmont or Grosmont to Pickering return.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway is one of the most historic lines in the North of England, taking visitors on picturesque journeys along an 18 mile railway line aboard steam and heritage diesel trains.

For regular news, updates and competitions, North Yorkshire Moors Railway is also on Facebook facebook.com/northyorkshiremoorsrailway/ and Twitter twitter.com/nymr 
Transcripts of the York Normandy Veterans Testimonies can be found at York Explore as part of The Legacy Project.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gough Bailey Wright on 01527 579 555
Laura Quigley –PR Account Director: [email protected]
Simmie Korotane –Senior Account Manager: [email protected]
Sam Wright – Junior Account Executive: [email protected]

Notes for editors
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a not for profit charitable trust providing memorable experiences for visitors through the preservation and operation of Britain’s most popular heritage railway between Whitby and Pickering.
• The railway operates with the support and commitment of over 550 volunteers.
• The NYMR cares for operates and develops the historic railway we own between Pickering to Grosmont.
• Its trains also operates over the Network Rail line from Grosmont to Whitby.
• It aims to provide a high quality, safe and authentic evocation of the steam age for the public.
• The railway is owned and operated by a Charitable Trust, providing education for all ages.
• The NYMR is a fully accredited museum.