'Back in the day' is a short-term project which, as been put together by ‘BRIT’ at the Nottingham Playhouse, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Nottingham and local community groups throughout Nottingham such as Black Onit and ACNA and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.
The generation of people who came from the Caribbean during and post the Second World War are now community elders who provide a direct cultural link to an important period of British history. Unfortunately many of the experiences and stories of the elders have never been documented and therefore are in danger of being lost. Since many youngsters know little about World War 2 or the way it used to be ‘ back in the day’ this reminiscence project aims to begin to bridge the generation gap through a contemporary and creative process.
In order to reflect this 60th anniversary year in a way that will have a long-lasting impact on the current generation, a creative approach as been employed. This project involves some youngsters (10- 16 year olds) who have been trained up, at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ in Nottingham, to interview and record the stories of some of these elders who have a base at two of Nottingham’s African and Caribbean community centres. Extracts of these interviews can be viewed on this page. History collated as audio and text will also be available for all generations of the African and Caribbean communities and the wider population of Nottinghamshire to share.
Shortly there will be an educational resource pack, containing more stories and information, for schools. This resource pack will also be available at libraries throughout the Nottinghamshire area in the near future.
A play called ‘Back in the Day’ as been developed, out of the research, by a local writer. Drama fused with poetry and music; capture the Jamaican experience of World War II on the home front and in combat.
For more information about the project please contact, Susan Nedd, the BRIT Program Producer at the Nottingham Playhouse on 01159 474 361.
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