Trifter

THERE were many Prisoner of War Camps built throughout Britain to house captured enemy service people during and just after the Second World War. No POW escaped from a British camp and made it back home, due to Britain being an island. Some of these camps were estates which had been taken over for the duration. Others were purpose built camps. Harperley POW Camp in Co Durham is the best of the handful of these special built camps left in the country.

Harperley POW Camp housed German and Italian Prisoners between 1942 and 1948. It now consists of 49 huts and the camp theatre. Twenty-two of these huts have already been turned unto a museum with more being converted as money becomes available. It has already been featured on the BBC programme, Restoration. English Heritage has granted the camp Schedule Monument Status.

Ten wall murals portraying ordinary German panoramas, painted by homesick German prisons have survived from those dark days of war. Museum staff recognise that these are among the jewels of the camp’s history.

Harperley had a purpose built theatre in which the prisoners would put on shows for the local population. It was run by a prisoner who had been a professional musician in civilian life. He was assisted by the camp theatre group and the camp orchestra with the help of the local Salvation Army.

The camp holds various events throughout the year. A favourite are military vehicle weeks. The German style Christmas markets attract large numbers of people as do the 1940s vogue dances with their Big Band Sound.

Harperley POW Camp has a traditional farm gift shop which sells all the old favourites including food, wine and drink. The gift shop offers souvenirs, memorabilia from the 1940s, gifts and traditional children’s toys. There is a playhouse and toddler’s train in the Children’s Adventure Playground. A wide range of outdoor and indoor plants, equipment, tools and various novelties can be obtained from the Garden Centre.

The Der Quell Restaurant and Tearoom takes its name from the camp newspaper that was published by the prisoners. The title is German for The Source and its content covered everything from the match reports on the camp football team to stories, articles and poetry written by the prisoners.

Wartime specials are among the most popular items on the extensive menu, though I must admit that the conditions are more pleasurable now than they were during the war years.

Admission to the museum and car parking are free at the time of writing. Guided tours take place at 11:00 and 14:00 each day. These cost £1 per person with the money being ploughed back into the restoration of Harperley Camp.

There have been occasions when former POWs visiting the camp have met their one time guards. These incidents have normally turned into very friendly affairs with many strange stories been told. Often they perform as a real life history lesson.

Harperley POW camp is open from 09:00 to 17:00 on seven days a week. The Der Quell Restaurant and Tearooms also remains open from 18:30 to 23:00 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The camp stands on the A689 road, about 200 metres west of the roundabout intersection on the A68 road near Crook. A fully serviced touring caravan site lies adjacent to the camp.

More details on this interesting attraction can be obtained from 01388 767098.