A NEW website exploring the history of Skipton’s First World War military training and prisoner-of-war camp will be launched at Skipton Town Hall on Wednesday (June 27).

The website includes a 3D model of the camp, a timeline of its history, and information about the German prisoners and British guards taken from accounts written and illustrated by some of the POWs who wrote the book, Kriegsgefangen in Skipton, giving details of their daily lives and experiences of imprisonment at the camp, known locally as Raikeswood Camp.

The book is currently being translated by a team of translators, including staff and students at the University of Leeds and local volunteers.

Using material from the book, as well as archival research, the website aims to rewrite the story of this forgotten WW1 camp back into the history of Skipton, reshaping accounts of the town and its past.

The website, a joint collaboration between Craven District Council’s Craven and the First World War project and the University of Leeds, has been developed as a result of the support by National Lottery players via the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Craven and the First World War Project Officer, Rob Freeman, said: “We are very excited about the launch of this new website. We hope it will allow us to share the fascinating story of the camp with more people and offer a unique perspective on the war and the local history of Skipton. We are very proud of what we have uncovered so far and cannot wait to offer the community another glimpse of its history.”

As well as launching the website, Wednesday's event will give people an opportunity to hear more about the latest research into the camp, as well as a chance to hear about the exciting plans for this summer's archaeological dig taking place on the site of the former camp.

To coincide with the hundredth anniversary of when the German prisoners arrived in Skipton in 1918, local students and professional archaeologists will be returning for one final time and, as an exciting addition to this year’s dig, will also be carrying out a number of small-scale digs in residents gardens.

The public will have the chance to get hands on with a behind the scenes look at the dig at an open day event on Wednesday August 1, between 2pm and 7pm.

There will a re-enactor on site giving demonstrations throughout the day and guided tours and archaeology sessions will take place on the hour.

The dig site is at top of Raikeswood Drive and the open day is free to attend.

The event at Skipton Town Hall on Wednesday will take place from 7pm to 8pm and is free to attend. The new website can be found at: skiptonww1camp.co.uk