On April 2nd 2005, fifteen years after the original eagle was stolen, its replacement was unveiled by the 8th Duke of Wellington KG. LVO. OBE. MC. DL.

There was a ceremony at the Norman Cross monument and a Napoleonic military camp was set up in the grounds of the Norman Cross Gallery. The monument is to the memory of 1,700 mostly French prisoners of war who died at the Norman Cross prisoner of war camp between 1797 and 1814.

Historic Days
The events of July 28 1914, when the monument was first dedicated, were written up under the heading of "Historic Days" in the 1914 Annual Report of the Peterborough Natural History, Scientific & Archaeological Society. The eagle is described as "French in character.... not in an attitude of defiance, but mournful, sorrowful." 90 years later the Committee is confident that the sculptor, John Doubleday, will give us an eagle with similar characteristics.

Great Effort
In 1914 the cost was £200; in 2005 the whole project is expected to cost around £38,000. On each occasion there was a great fund raising effort and much was given locally. Dr Walker, whose book on the PoW camp at Norman Cross had just been published, raised £80 from his contacts and was praised because "on him the credit largely rests for the attainment of the great object." This time much credit must go, amongst others, to the late Martin Howe and latterly to Peter Lee and Paul Chamberlain.

Generous
On both occasions also the fund was greatly indebted to generous outside donations; in 1914 from the L'Entente Cordial Society and in 2005 from the Local Heritage Initiative (a partnership of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Nationwide Building Society and the Countryside Agency) and also from Le Souvenir Français.

Special Exhibition
The Report gives an account of "the day's proceedings, which were of a varied and hearty character." We hope to live up to this as we will have soldiers of the Napoleonic period from several countries on duty all day. The encampment will be open to visitors from 11am and will feature cookery demonstrations, military drill, music & dancing and explanatory talks and site visits. There will be a special exhibition in the Gallery including a model of the camp. The re-enactment is by 2nd (Queen's Royal) Regiment of Foot.

Self-drive
In 1914, guests were met at Peterborough Station by the Mayor (Sir Richard Winfrey) and by Mr Walter Rothschild of Ashton, (President of the Museum Society.) After a visit to the Cathedral and Museum, 250 guests sat down to lunch in the Drill Hall. This time, funds only allow for a modest buffet at the Holiday Inn for a smaller number of guests, who are expected to drive themselves to Norman Cross, not, as in 1914, conveyed "in motors, motorbuses, brakes and wagonnettes provided by Mr Rothschild." We hope the weather will be as kind and give us the same "sunshine and grateful zephyrs." We also hope to see a "scene of considerable animation" and expect once again to have participated in "one of the most notable occasions in the history of the two nations."

Heritage Trail
The fund is still open so that the whole project can be completed as soon as possible. The area around the monument is to be landscaped and lit (with generous help from O&H and Huntingdonshire District Council). The information board needs to be updated, a resource pack and heritage trail produced, and provision made for long-term maintenance, insurance and security. A group of ladies from Stilton and district are making a wall hanging (available for display in schools, village halls or churches) that will illustrate life in the camp and the Depôt itself.

Come and Take Part!
Everyone was cordially invited to attend the unveiling ceremony at Norman Cross at 1pm on the 2nd April and (by kind permission of Mr & Mrs D Lopez) to visit the military encampment in the grounds of the Camp Commandant's house - now the Norman Cross Gallery - between 11am and 4pm. Admission, which included a souvenir programme, was £2 for adults and free for children under 16. Guided walks took place throughout the day to tell the story of the prison and the men held there.

Life's Rich Tapestry
Members of the "Hangers-on" craft group are at present busy with the Norman Cross Embroidery Project, part of the project concerned with the re-installation of the eagle. It was their magnificent Millennium wall hanging in Stilton Church that brought them to the attention of the Norman Cross Eagle Appeal Committee, who invited them to design and produce a work that could be a permanent account of the Camp and the monument. It is designed to be displayed in almost any setting; e.g. school halls, museums or churches.
The Group continues its monthly meetings on the last Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm in the Stilton Church Meeting Room.

[From SCAN, February and March 2005]

More information:
BBC Beyond The Broadcast
BBC News Report
Pictures of the day at www.freelance-photo.co.uk
History of the Norman Cross Depot (by Norman Cross Gallery)
Biff Vernon's History of The Great North Road
Norman Cross 'biography'
Report from Peterborough.net