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Senior Citizens Share D-Day Stories with Penryn College Pupils

Penryn College’s pupils hosted a tea party with a difference in the school’s hall last week – as they entertained guests who lived through the Second World War, absorbing their D-Day stories. 

Pupils served cream teas, danced to wartime songs, and screened D-Day footage in Kernewek Hall, as senior citizens from Mawnan Smith shared their fascinating stories – detailing how American soldiers embarked from Trebah’s beach, and how life dramatically changed during the Second World War.

Year 7 students will be using the stories told by the guests as inspiration for poems, which will be displayed at Mawnan’s Trebah Garden as part of Operation Overlord – celebrating the 75th anniversary of Trebah’s involvement in D-Day.

Additionally, as part of the celebration, Penryn College’s pupils will be involved in a host of other activities in the coming weeks, including writing workshops and musical compositions.

Expressing her excitement surrounding the project, Penryn College English teacher, Mrs Male, whose students are taking part in Operation Overlord, said: “The pupils were fascinated by the many interesting stories that the visitors shared – which included spies, soldiers throwing sweets over garden fences, how people travelled over from Poland during the War, and much more.

“It was a truly insightful and enlightening experience for our students – and we are really looking forward to the future events of Operation Overlord.”

For more information on Operation Overlord, please visit: trebahgarden.co.uk/dday.