The British Restaurant exhibition and digital trail

The British Restaurant exhibition and digital trail comes to The Greenhouse community building in Victoria Park on Monday 14 September, from 13:00 to 15:30. It's part of Heritage Open Days' 'Everyday Histories' theme, and it looks at a piece of wartime Portsmouth that most of us have never heard of: the British Restaurant.

During the Second World War, these were government-run public canteens set up to provide affordable, nourishing meals for people on the Home Front, and this exhibition tells their story. The main display is a series of illustrated information boards showing how these restaurants supported local communities in the middle of rationing and uncertainty. The research behind them started with volunteers at the Portsmouth History Centre, and the final designs and illustrations are by artist Candy Bamber.

There's more to it than just reading the boards, though. You can chat with staff on the day, and there are QR codes that lead to an interactive heritage map of Portsmouth's wartime past. You can also listen to oral histories from four local residents, each one paired with a unique piece of artwork by artist Jasmine Potter. The whole thing is supported by Findmypast, who provided records as part of their sponsorship of the 'Everyday Histories' theme.

The session runs from 13:00 to 15:30, lasts about an hour, and is for a maximum of 30 people. You'll find it at The Greenhouse community building, Victoria Park, 3 Stanhope Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3HJ.