SKIPTON Academy has been praised for its thought-provoking production of Tunstill’s Men at Grassington Festival.

The drama, based on the real life experiences of Craven volunteers in World War One, was researched and written by Dr Bill Smith, from the school’s history department.

First performed by pupils and staff at the school in 2014, it was performed at this year’s festival for the last time, as the country approaches the hundredth anniversary of the end of the war.

Tunstill's Men focuses on five men - Harry Tunstill, Thomas Darwin, Walter Limmer, William Oldfield and Thomas Stockdale Worsley – all recruited into the 10th battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

Private Limmer, of Grassington, died from his wounds on September 12, just weeks after marrying his sweetheart Alice Wade while home on leave. Walter had spent four years in the Army after volunteering in the Autumn of 1914 and had survived the horrors of the Somme and Passchendaele only to be killed by a random shell explosion.

For the two days the play was performed, the buildings and streets of Grassington were transformed by the sights and sounds of war as students brought their evocative and highly-moving portrayal of events from 100 years ago to the festival.

Anne Marsden, of Grassington, said the two hour drama had been performed to great acclaim. “Any school, indeed any dramatic company could be very proud of this achievement. Few involved will ever forget it," she said.

Jason King, who travelled from Nottingham to take part in the production, said he wanted to thank the people of Grassington and the academy.

“This year’s youngsters in the cast I thought collectively the best yet. They enriched the performances by their cheerfulness, commitment and talents, particularly musically. Not only does this show contribute richly to the national act of remembrance, in this centenary year, but it also offered Skipton Academy students the chance to excel, which they did in shedloads.”

Academy Principal Richard McManus said : “The hard work of our staff and students really has been incredible; to bring such an important piece of our local history to life in such a moving way is a credit to them”.

The two centenary performances were supported by funding from the Skipton Mechanics Institute.