CHILDREN from one primary school took a step back in time thanks to a valuable learning resource created by Cockermouth Heritage Group.

The town group used a heritage lottery award to carry out various projects linked to the commemoration of World War One, including creating a history education resource pack for local primary school pupils.

It contains information and photographs about life in Cockermouth 100 years ago, including sections on what life was like for children, women and men who went off to fight.

There are also sections on changes to the town, and what people’s homes were like.

The packs also contain diary extracts and a letter from the trenches.

Group secretary Gloria Edwards said: “We hope that they will prove a valuable resource for children in helping them to understand what life was like here 100 years ago, and how things have changed.”

There was no doubt about how fascinating Year 5 pupils at All Saints’ Primary School in Cockermouth found the history packs.

The youngsters from the Slatefell Drive school pored over photos of the railway station, building of the Grand Theatre, suffragettes, family life and elephants leading a circus parade along Main Street.

Emily Nixon was among a group who got the chance to uncover more about the town.

The nine-year-old said: “It’s great to see how the town looked in the olden days and how it looks now.”

Teacher Jim Halliday told the News & Star: “These will be part of the history curriculum.

“It’s great that children can see how the town has changed over the years.”

Other aspects of the project included an oral history project, which involved volunteers going into residential homes in the town to interview 40 residents and record their memories.

“The whole project took around six months to complete but should prove a valuable resource,” Mrs Edwards added.

While the group has delved into the history books, going forward they plan to create a virtual museum by posting images and information online.