大象传媒

My name is Alexis Brown. My role is that of Manager of Blyth Community College's Open Learning Centre based in Northumberland. The Open Learning Centre is also home to Cowpen Public Library; a dual purpose resource. The college caters for the needs of students from the age of 13 - 19. It also has a thriving community education population.

I became involved in the People's War Project following a presentation from Paul Corcoran from the 大象传媒, here in the Open Learning Centre. It seemed like a perfect opportunity for us to bring together students in college with older members of our lcoal community in a way which would also provide a lasting legacy for the young people here in Blyth. Students will be able to access the resource in the future to learn more about their heritage and history.

I have a personal interest as well. My parents lived through World War II. My Dad, Alex Renwick, was a prisoner of war for five years and my Mum, Margaret Renwick, served as a Fire Warden during the war years. I am immensely proud of them and grateful for all the hardship and suffering they had to endure. I know very little of my Dad's war time experiences; he has only ever told me amusing stories. I admire him greatly for this as I can only begin to imagine the horrors he must have seen. My parents are now 89 and 87 and still always look to the future. I recently celebrated my 50th birthday and they both stayed at the 'do' till the bitter end! I think this symbolises the spirit of this resilient generation.

Our students have captured stories of people here in Blyth and, through funding from Home Front Recall, we were were able to stage a marvellous variety show here in the college's Auditorium in July 2005, as a commemoration and a thank you to those who were involved in the war. Entitled 'An Evening of Music and Wartime Memories', it involved music, monologues and comedy sketches. Over 340 members of the local community enjoyed the show, with many more disappointed once our ticket allocation had been exhausted.

Performers from: Blyth Concert Orchestra, Blyth Music and Theatre Company and the Phoenix Theatre Company delivered a wonderful show which was enjoyed by all. The event was supported by Blyth Valley Borough Council and the Rotary Club of Blyth.

I hope you will enjoy the stories we have collected and may I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in our project.