"My sister and I went on this trip a few years ago and absolutely loved it... If anyone is unsure, do not hesitate to book, the wealth of knowledge the Pocklington staff team share was amazing and made the experience even more humbling and memorable." 

In 2025, the UK will be commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day which marked the end of the war in Europe and World War II as a whole. The Pocklington School community will be observing this important anniversary, as well as the 70th anniversary of the inauguration of the War Memorial Pavilion at Pocklington School.

As part of their commemoration events, the School is inviting current parents and OPs to a four-day adult battlefields tour, taking place 22-25 August 2025 with visits to Normandy, the Somme and Flanders. The group will be accompanied by members of staff from the History and Politics Department at Pocklington School and former Pocklington School Bursar, Paul Bennnett. The trip will blend battlefield tours with poignant stories of infamous days, inspiring and moving individual tales will be told, whilst also taking the time to honour the sacrifices of a generation. The steps of Old Pocklingtonians who lost their lives in battle will be retraced, and where possible, there will be attempts to locate links, memorials or graves of any relatives of the group in these regions.

The trip will depart from Pocklington early on Friday 22 August, and return on Monday 25 August. A proposed itinerary is below. Transport will be by coach throughout the trip, and packed lunches will be provided each day. The anticipated cost of the trip is approximately £800.00, which could be reduced if a total of 40 participants is reached. Please note that additional charges will apply for single occupancy.

For further information and to express interest in joining the trip, please click here to complete a form and return to Paul Bennett via email by Friday 10 January 2025. Once participant numbers are confirmed, more detailed information will be available hopefully by the end of January 2025.

Day 1: Leave Pocklington, visit Southwick House, the D-Day Museum in Portsmouth, take an evening meal and then travel by overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen

Day 2: Normandy – visits to the Normandy beaches, Pegasus Bridge, museums and the American Cemetery. Move to hotel in Arras and evening meal.

Day 3: The Somme - a day following the progress of Kitchener’s volunteer army during this most harrowing of battles in 1916. Visits will include the battlefields, cemeteries and monuments around Serre, La Boiselle, Pozieres and Thiepval. A short visit to Loos (1915) on the journey north. Hotel in in Ypres. Self-found evening meal after the Menin Gate Ceremony (2000hrs).

Day 4: Ypres (Belgium) - a day focused on the battles for the Salient. Likely visits: Cloth Hall, Lijssenthoek, Sanctuary Wood, Tyne Cot, Langemarck. Return via Dover.