Free history talks at the University of Greenwich

A secret prison diary written by an intern in Northern Ireland is the subject of a documentary film to be shown as part of a community history programme being run by the University of Greenwich.

The film is being shown as part of a series of free history talks, which are open to students and to the public. The next talk is on Wednesday March 17 at 5pm.

Dr Emma Hanna, pictured, of the University of Greenwich will be looking at how television has depicted the First World War, discussing the 1964 documentary series The Great War, the comedy series Black Adder and the representation of conscientious objectors in ‘Not Forgotten: The Men Who Wouldn’t Fight’.

Dr Mairead McClean, a reader in film at the University of Greenwich, will introduce her documentary about her father and his imprisonment during the 1950s in Northern Ireland. The film offers a first hand account of internment from a man who was wrongly accused of being a member of the outlawed IRA and wrote his secret diaries on the inside of envelopes in his cell. It also shows information from official records that have been closed to the public for 50 years.

The series of talks, ‘Other Narratives of War’, is part of a history project being funded by the University of Greenwich.

The talks on Wednesday March 17 begin at 5pm in the Greenwich Council Chamber, Queen Anne 063, at the University of Greenwich Old Royal Naval College campus. Although entry is free it is advisable to reserve a place by emailing Dr June Balshaw at bj61@gre.ac.uk or calling 020 8331 7874.

For further information about studying history at the University of Greenwich, call 0800 005 006 or visit www.greenwich.ac.uk.

Ends

For interview opportunities and further media information, please contact:

· University of Greenwich Public Relations, tel: 020 8331 9420

· Delphine Houlton or Georgette McCready, at Maxim, tel: 01892 513033