A PROJECT exploring the impact of World War One on Craven people has won £96,700 from the national lottery to continue the campaign.

One of its aims is to produce a website allowing people to get a 3D virtual experience of life at the Raikes prisoner of war camp in Skipton.

The cash will also help fund more archaeological digs on the site, two of which were held last year and unearthed finds directly linked to the German officers who were incarcerated their from early 1918.

The legacy of the four year long war on the people and places of Craven will be explored and it will also focus on the centenary of the arrival of German prisoners.

In addition there will be a number of exhibitions including the continuation of The Museum of North Craven Life annual WW1 exhibitions with their latest ‘1917: Mud & Misery’ running until the end of October.

Rob Freeman, Craven's First World War project officer, Anne Buckley, of Leeds University who is involved in translating a diary kept by the prisoners and John Mitton, deputy head teacher at Upper Wharfedale school, are coordinating the work.

They are seeking help from the public, especially people living in the Raikes area, who would be prepared to open up their gardens to help extend the investigation site.

The camp, which was originally built as a training camp for the Bradford Pals and housed German prisoners for just under two years from January 1918, stretched over an area from where Salisbury Street meets Raikeswood Road up to the top of Raikeswood Drive.

A packed Skipton town hall, last Tuesday, heard how far the project had evolved, including making contact with one prisoner's relative who lives in Argentina.

Rob said: “Craven’s part in World War One did not end abruptly in 1917 and it is vital that the story is carried forward to the end of the war and its aftermath.

"Stories of wartime life in the area represent a fascinating and insightful snapshot of 20th century history in this corner of North Yorkshire.”

Councillor Simon Myers, Craven District Council’s Lead Member for Enterprising Craven, said: "The Great War touched the lives of almost all families in Craven. The various commemorative events will undoubtedly leave a deep impression.”

The project is made up of a collection of community-focused organisations including Craven Museum & Gallery, The Museum of North Craven Life (The Folly) and North Yorkshire County Council Library and Community Services.

It will work closely with a number of different partners including the University of Leeds Legacies of War project and Pioneer Projects in Bentham.

David Renwick, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Yorkshire & the Humber, said: “ With our small grants programme, we are enabling even more communities like those involved in ‘Craven and the First World War’ to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”

The Folly’s exhibition ‘1917: Mud & Misery’ opened on July 4 and runs until October 29. For more information and opening times, visit www.ncbpt.org.uk/folly or call 01524 251388.

For more information about the project or how to get involved, contact the Project Officer, Rob Freeman, on 01756 706225 or RFreeman@cravendc.gov.uk