German prisoner of war Wolfgang Scheffler’s sketches provide fascinating historical look at Newark and rural Nottinghamshire post second world war in 1940s Britain
An exhibition of sketches by a prisoner of war is giving visitors a chance to see Newark and surrounding villages as they were in the 1940s.
Set up by the Friends of Newark Town Hall Museum, the exhibition features the works of Wolfgang Shceffler, a German prisoner of war, who remained in Britain for several years following the end of the second world war.
During his time as a prisoner of war, he worked thinning sugar beet in Caunton, but he was allowed to take walks and cycle, where he struck up friendships with locals and discovered a love of rural England, which inspired him to start sketching what he saw.
His most comprehensive collection of drawings came after he was moved to a hostel in Little Carlton, just a few miles north-west of Newark, in the April of 1947.
He was able to visit Newark often and during his time in the area Wolfgang sketched a number of historic landmarks, including Newark Castle, the Town Hall and Newark Parish Church, which he praised for its beauty and history.
This time capsule of over 240 pencil and paper drawings was gifted to the Town Council shortly before his death in 1992, 40 of which have been framed for display.
Museum volunteer, Godfrey Cozens, said: “His work shows us what rural Nottinghamshire would have looked like almost 80 years ago.
“Now it has become a historic document, particularly for the villages,
“For many years these sketches were sat in the archives. It seemed a shame not to have them on display.
“So this is our way of getting them out and back on show for the general public to see.
“Not only are they jolly good, but they are very interesting for the history of the county.”
In a book of his drawings, Wolfgang wrote about his time in England fondly.
Translated from the original German, a message reads: “Among my most treasured memories is the hospitality shown by the English to us POWs.
“May these few lines and sketches bring to memory, to grateful memory, that in those days so many English people made life easier, better and brighter for so many prisoners of war who were still unable to return home.”
There are 15 drawings on display, featuring scenes of Newark landmarks and views which have changed significantly over the decades, such as Cherry Holt, Queen’s Head Yard and the Bede House Chapel.
There are also depictions of places such as Little Carlton and Farndon villages and the surrounding landscape.
The exhibition is available to see at Newark Town Hall from January 6, Wednesday to Friday, 10.30am to 1pm and on Saturdays from 10.30am to 3.30pm until January 30.