CIVIL war is set to break out among Chesham schools next week, as children re-enact a battle as part of a living history event.

Around two hundred pupils from Brushwood, Waterside, Thomas Harding, Ley Hill and Hawridge and Cholesbury will go head-to-head dressed as Royalists and Parliamentarians to help build closer links between the schools.

The Re-enactment Day, at Chesham Park Community College on Friday July 15, will consist of thirty minutes of pike drill, musket drill and marching – although the pikes will be made of cardboard tubing to make sure no one gets hurt.

Members of the Civil War re-enactment society The Sealed Knot will help out and reproduction Civil War helmets and armour on loan from Reading Museum will go on show.

The event has been organised by Chehsam Grammar School’s head of history Neil DeMarco and Community Development Manager Siobhan Bygate, and the Director of Performing Arts at Chesham Park Community College, Brian McCollum. Mr McCollum said: “There is no doubt that young people learn more through creative and active experiences which this event will certainly be.”