Dear Pupils,

The History Department invites you to join us for our annual day trip to the sites of the Great War, this time again to the Ypres area in Belgium, but with a different though overlapping itinerary from 2003.

This will be on the first Friday of the Summer Term, that is Friday 23 April, 2004. The trip will start with Poperinghe, where they hope to have a new visitor centre open in April. We will also visit the Messines Ridge, the ‘Pool of Peace’ and Langemarck German cemetery, a French site and Essex Farm cemetery, to see the origin of the ‘poppy idea’. We will spend some time in Ypres itself, visiting the Ramparts Museum, St George’s Church and the cathedral, the wall walk and a café or chocolate shop, and stay for the Last Post ceremony, which on St George’s Day may be special, under the Menin Gate at 8 pm.

As usual, we will remember Old Dunstonians in the cemeteries and on the memorials we visit. In addition, if there are any particular cemeteries or places you would like to go to to see relatives’ graves, memorials etc. let me know early. As ever, the sooner, the better! I cannot promise all requests as there are literally hundreds of Great War cemeteries in the Salient, but we should be able to make 1 or 2 stops. If you want to research a relative, please see me!

The cost should be no more than £40, and rather than take deposits and handle numerous cheques I require simply the reply slip below completed and returned to me. The cost will then be added to the fees for Lent Term 2004 (any adjustment will be made later if costs rise or fall). The trip is open to all those in the current years 8, 9 and 11, although anyone else with a good case will be considered.

Please come if you can, and return the slip below as soon as possible.

& .................................................................................................................................

To: ADS

I would like my son/daughter to go on the Trenches 2004 trip to Ypres on 23 April 2004, and understand the cost of £40 will be added to the Lent Term 2004 fees.

I will ensure that they have a current passport and any necessary visas before the date of travel.

Name: ......................................................................………........ Form (for year 2002-2003):

Parent’s / guardian’s signature: .....................................………... Date: