Talana Live ready for first World War One battle re-enactment
The annual Creations Arts, Crafts and Plant market as well as stalls in the museum grounds will provide the opportunity for some retail therapy.
Talana Live is back in action this month and this year, for the first time, will feature a re-enactment of First World War battle.
The battle of Delville Wood (July 15 – September 3 1916) was the iconic battle of World War One which saw the South African armed forces gain world recognition for their fighting skills.
Pam McFadden, Talana Live co-ordinator, said it had been decided to break away from the traditional battle of Talana re-anactment, featuring the Boers and the British, to mark the centenary of the centenary of the Treaty of Versailles which ended the First World War.
“Since 1999 we have organised a heritage function on the weekend closest to the anniversary of the Battle of Talana October 20, 1899 and performed a re-enactment of a segment of that battle. However, been there done that and it was time for a new idea and to refresh this heritage weekend programme,” said Pam.
A gun run using an original First World War field gun captured in German South West Africa in 1915. This gun will be used in the re-enactment on the day.
There is another reason too why Delville Wood was chosen. Nine Dundee lost their lives in the ferocious fighting with many more being involved and luckily surviving.
Besides the battle, Talana Live will include the popular Wheels Thru’ Time Motor Show and a parade of the vintage cars though town, led by the Caledonian Pipe Band from Pietermaritzburg.
At Talana, wreaths will be laid and the MOTH’s will parade in memory of the battle of El Alamein.
A gun run using an original First World War field gun captured in German South West Africa in 1915. This gun will be used in the re-enactment on the day.
The Boy Scouts of northern KZN and other area of KZN will be holding a jamboree at the museum over the weekend and will be showcasing their scouting talents. Radio hams will be connecting the other scouting groups around the world.
Tug of war, wagon pulling, and tossing the boot will all be part of the day’s entertainment.
A tea garden and delicious food stalls will provide the inner man with the strength to continue.
The annual Creations Arts, Crafts and Plant market as well as stalls in the museum grounds will provide the opportunity for some retail therapy.
Read more:
October 19-20: Talana Live to bring history and ghosts to life
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