VIDEO: Journey into the past

War re-enactors Tim Kearney and Adam Woodland donned old-fashioned military uniforms and hobnail boots and boarded Buxton’s very own ‘Victorian’ tram, the Wonder of the Peak, to give passengers an insight into the role the spa town played during the Great War.

“Companies of soldiers were billeted in Buxton, and the Pavilion Gardens lakes provided good training ground for The Royal Engineers,” explained Tim.

“Towards the end of the war, the town was designated a discharge centre for Canadian troops, who used a number of the hotels.”

The tours concluded at the former Devonshire Royal Hospital - where over 5,000 soldiers were treated during WWI, and passengers were treated to a song performed by the two soldiers, plus a short film.

Adding to the authenticity of the tour, Clowes Chemist made-up a basket of authentic-style medicinal supplies to pick up and deliver to the Devonshire Dome.

The talks were part of a £1,700 fundraising drive to send Tim’s 14-year-old daughter Amy on a trip to Ghana with Buxton Community School.

Netta Christie, owner of the ‘Wonder of the Peak’ tram, donated part of the profits from the war tours to the appeal.

And Tim and Adam will undertake a sponsored walk along the 66-mile Shropshire Union Canal next month while wearing their military uniforms - sleeping two nights in an army bivvy!

A dedicated online page has been set-up for Amy’s trip. Visit https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/bTEdc?psid=1f829a6bf94441c9b8d408348db16ad0 .