We have been working in partnership with many local voluntary groups and organisations to create a permanent record of life during the Second World War in Dunstable and the surrounding area. The stories on the People’s War website form just part of this town archive.
Our partners, mainly local historians, archaeologists, church representatives and representatives of local businesses had for some years worked with me as town centre manager to produce local history festivals in Dunstable. In 2004 with the help of a Heritage Lottery Grant we began the Dunstable WWII project. Research subjects included: Mapping the Remaining and Original WWII Archaeology of the Area, Evacuees, Schools, the Meteorological Office, Industry, Dunstable’s part in the role Bedfordshire played in the Secret War, the Land Army, POWs held in Dunstable, Home Front, Home Defence, our Allies stationed here and our young men serving their country both at home and abroad.
We advertised for volunteer story-gatherers, knowing that the local population could provide us with new valuable information if we could reach them. We recruited new working partners specifically from war veteran associations and ran many events, primarily aimed at the over 65s and found a wealth of stories within our town just waiting to be told. For almost two years our story-gatherers have been visiting people at home and taping their memories. Sue King and I have experienced many emotions whilst typing these stories and admired the bravery and fortitude of our story-givers.
More than a hundred of these stories are on this ´óÏó´«Ã½ People’s War website. The information gathered from the various projects will all help to form a valuable local archive. The project results together with our locally gathered stories are being published in a book; ‘Dunstable at War’ and the research material will be deposited at Priory House, Dunstable’s Heritage Centre.
Sue and I would like to record our thanks to all of the volunteers who have given so generously of their time over the two years of this project. Special mention must be made of the Dunstable Grammar School Old Boys Association, Dunstable and District History Association, Manshead Archaeological Society, the Priory and Baptist Churches, the many war veteran associations, especially the Far East Veterans Assn, Vivienne Evans, Hugh Garrod, Joan Curran, Sheila Furnell, Mary Roe and our other stalwart story-gatherers.
Jean Yates
Festival and Events Manager
Sue King
Economic Development
Email: jean.yates@southbeds.gov.uk
Email: sue.king@southbeds.gov.uk
South Beds District Council
High Street North
Dunstable, LU6 1LF
Tel: 01582 474026
Fax: 01582 474081
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