1940. The Battle of Britain is raging in the sky above. Germany could invade any day. It is impossible to ignore the rumble of guns and the rumours of spies and fifth columnists. It was one extraordinary burning summer that changed lives forever.

Find out about the propaganda, pilots, and planes that inspired Lydia Syson’s ‘That Burning Summer’, a novel for teens set in 1940, and take part in a drama workshop led by A Spaniel in the Works exploring life under the threat of invasion.

‘RULE ONE: If the Germans come by parachute, aeroplane or ship you must remain where you are. The order is to “stay put”…’

All ages welcome but most suitable for 9-14 years.

FREE! (a minimal booking fee is charged) Advance reservation here: 

This event is part of ‘Days of Hope, 1945-2015’, a Philosophy Football celebration of comedy, ideas, live poetry and music commemorating both VE day and the landslide Labour victory of 1945.

16.30-17.30 Saturday 9th May 2015 at

Rich Mix Arts Centre, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA  Map 

(Parents and carers can meanwhile attend an afternoon seminar ‘The Politics of Hope: What Makes a Moment of Historic Political Change?’ organised in association with Soundings. Zoe Williams, columnist on theGuardian and author of the new book Get It Together: Why We Deserve Better Politics joins a discussion with Kevin Morgan co-editor of the journal Twentieth Century Communism and Michael Rustin, one of the authors of the ’68 Mayday Manifesto and more recently the 2015 After Neoliberalism Manifesto.)