RESIDENTS can find out what Bridport was like 100 years ago during the First World War.

The Bridport Heritage Forum is hosting the event as part of the ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ project.

Professor Graham Davis, formerly of Bath Spa University, will start off the day with ‘What Britain was like in 1914’, looking at the great social unrest of 1914, with troubles in Ireland, women’s rights and trade union issues.

Forum members Sheila Meaney and Jane Ferentzi-Sheppard will add to the scene setting highlighting issues closer to home, by talking about life in Bridport and Dorset leading up to the Great War.

Many Bridport men joined the local regiment, the Dorsets.

Tim Saunders, a former officer in the regiment and currently directing Battlefield History TV, will describe the placement and postings of the Dorset Regiments in 1914.

Following on from this Chris Copson, the new curator of the Keep Museum in Dorchester, will unpack a kit bag containing ‘Tommy’s Uniform, Weapons and Equipment’.

There will be ‘hands on’ opportunities to see and handle the uniform and equipment he took with him.

The study day takes place in Bridport Town Hall on Saturday, August 2, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

A free exhibition will also be on display in the town hall from August 9 to 25. To book, pick up a form from Bridport TIC, the History Centre on Gundry Lane, or The Book Shop, or call Jane Ferentzi-Sheppard on 01308 425710.