GRWP CADWRAETH Hut 9 preservation group

Former German POW Camp

Island Farm, Bridgend, WALES


Open weekend

Saturday & Sunday, 4 - 5 October 2014

Visitors should park in the Innovation Science Park (opposite the Heronston Hotel - see location on Google Maps here) and walk from there to and along the A48. There will be a sign at the start of the short path off the A48 that will get you to the Hut 9 compound; it is a 5 minute walk.

We recommend wearing appropriate footwear, since during or straight after wet weather the path to the Hut 9 compound could be part muddy.

IMPORTANT NOTE: For everyone's safety, please do not attempt to stop or park your car on the busy and fast traffic A48 road.

Our Event's Photo Albums are here for Saturday & Sunday

Were you there?

 

 

 

The Hut 9 rooms have been restored in an attempt to try and recreate how they would have looked during 1940-1948. Members of the Hut 9 Preservation Group and WW2 re-enactors will be telling the fascinating stories of the 4 time-frames of Island Farm, occupied by the Royal Ordnance Factory workers, the American Forces prior to D-Day, the German POWs (known then as Camp 198) and later the High Ranking German Officers awaiting their Nuremberg Trial (camp was known then as Special Camp XI).

 

Here is the map showing the Hut 9 rooms and their contents

 

 

What's to hear and see during your visit

  • Outside Hut 9, there will be WW2 re-enactors with all their "kit" and and their vehicles (weather permitting).
  • Brett Exton will give a very interesting talk on the complete history of Island Farm.
  • Richard Williams will complement Brett's talk and guide you inside Hut 9.
  • A number of the famous Island Farm wall drawings/ paintings will be on display inside several rooms/ dormitories. Each picture gives a unique insight into the thoughts of a German POW, depicting their home, loved ones or quotes in German.
  • Numerous volunteer re-enactors brought the place to life, dressed as former German PoWs, British Home Guards, American soldiers and Royal Ordnance Factory girls. They will be occupying several rooms/ dormitories with their full uniforms, equipment and brick-a-brac on display. Such equipment would have been used back in the day!
  • Barry Ward (Preservation Group Member and re-enactor) will be talking about the escape; how the tunnel was made and all about the prisoners' preparation prior to the escape.
  • Do not miss our Oral History gazebo, where you can be interviewed by Stel Anthony who shall record audio/ video your experiences or stories about Island Farm, Hut 9, the PoW escape and Bridgend at War in general.

  • Finally, a member of the Hut 9 Preservation Group will guide you around Hut 9 and talk about the escape and the famous Welsh Great Escape Tunnel that is preserved in tact after all these years.

  • This is a FREE for ALL event, so no entry fee! However, as always your kind donations will be much appreciated. Without your generous donations, our voluntary work and effort to preserve Hut 9 and its history will be near impossible!

Thank you all for your support

Hut 9 Preservation Team

To get a taste of things to come, please see a photo album from our September 2012 Open Doors Event


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