大象传媒

Barnsley Archives and Local Studies Department, working together with the 大象传媒 World War II People鈥檚 War Project, are holding a World War II Reminiscence Days throughout Barnsley Borough. The events will be held
DODWORTH
Concert Room
Dodworth Central Social Club
Station Road
Dodworth
6 September 2004
10.30 鈥� 4.00

ROYSTON
The Grove
Station Road
Royston
24 September 2004
10.00 鈥� 4.00

HOYLAND
St Andrews Church Hall
Market Street
Hoyland
7 October 2004
10.30 鈥� 3.30

THURNSCOE
Thurnscoe Methodist Central Hall
Houghton Road
Thurscoe
4 November 2004
10.00 鈥� 4.00

PENISTONE
Royal British Legion Club
St Mary鈥檚 Street
Penistone
2 December 2004
10.00 鈥� 4.00

GOLDTHORPE
Goldthorpe Library
Doncaster Road
Goldthorpe
27 January 2005
10.00 鈥� 4.00

CUDWORTH
Valley Community Centre
Manor Road
Cudworth
15 February 2005
10.00 鈥� 4.00

WORSBROUGH
Community Church
High Street
Worsbrough Bridge
17 March 2005
10.00 鈥� 4.00

The aim of these Reminiscence Days is to capture and Preserve for future generations the story of the Barnsley People during World War Two. Unlike any other war before or since, World War two was fought as much by those working in the factories and living at home, as it was by the Armed Forces of land, air and sea. And, although there are countless biographies of Churchill and Montgomery, the stories of the ordinary heroes remain untold.

We are looking for stories from people who lived through the war and for people to hand down family stories as told t them by the war generation. We want stories from the military and stories from the factories. The men of the Merchant Navy, the Women of the Auxiliary Forces, evacuees, all are welcome to contribute. The story may be a brief anecdote or a six-year odyssey; we welcome all stories whether they may be 100 words or 10,000 words long.

Louise Whitworth, Archives and Local Studies Officer and Co-ordinator of the project says, 鈥淥btaining real-life stories and experiences is what this day is all about. We can read dozens of books concerning the events of the war, but only in this way can we capture how World War Two affected the lives of Barnsley people. The stories collected will be a fantastic resource for local history research in the future鈥�.

The Barnsley Archives and Local Studies Department held a similar event on the 4th of June, in Barnsley Central Library. This was a great success with 46 people attending the event. Stories were collected from a wide variety of backgrounds ranging from full military service, a lady who was conscripted to make munitions at Thorpe Arch and another lady who drove buses throughout the war. Stories were told about surviving on the rations, practicing aid raid drills at school and watching the Sheffield bombing from the streets of Barnsley. All this led to a fantastic day, full of memories and a great sense of community spirit.

Entrance to the events is free and all those who give stories on the day will be given a free typescript copy of their memories. Refreshments will be available.

For further information please contact the Archives and Local Studies Department, telephone 01226 773950 or email: archives@barnsley.gov.uk