Old Whittington is a very small library in the outskirts of Chesterfield. On 27 May 2005 10am - 4 pm we are holding a WW2 People's War day, using the community hall next door to the library.
There will be wartime music all day in the garden of The Revolution House Museum opposite. A display by the Chesterfield Museum and a drama presentation called 'Angels Never Leave Heaven' about Robinsons, a local firm making bandages and dressing for the front. At 3.30pm there will be a selection of readings called, 'Voices of World War 2'.
During the day there will be opportunity for visitors to tell their families story and have it entered on the People's war site.
People's War Day, 27 May 2005
The day started off bright and sunny, the musical group Hautois set up in the garden of The Revolution House Museum, using a camouflaged wagon as a stage. Inside the Swanwick Memorial Hall the Chesterfield Museum made a 'touch and feel' display of gas masks, ration books, rag rugs and newspapers of the day amongst other items. On display boards were photographs of Chesterfield at war with information to read.
Chesterfield Library made available five laptop computers for anyone to tell their story for the People's War site. Amongst them were stories about being a child growing up in the war, remembering rationing and having to wear smelly gas masks, another of sailing out on a troop ship to India before the war then being in Egypt when the desert war started.
Old Photographs of Old Whittington and New Whittington from the Local History Department of Chesterfield Library were projected onto a screen changing every few seconds, these caused great interest, many of the faces in groups were named and discussed!
Tea, coffee and biscuits were enjoyed while stories were swapped.
At 1.30 pm The Pomegranate Theatre group gave a taster of their production "Angels Never Leave Heaven" about wartime Robinsons, a local family firm which made cartons and first aid dressings for the forces.
Throughout the day Hautbois sang their wartime music to audiences which also included various classes from local schools, everyone joining in with the actions to Run Rabbit Run Rabbit Run Run Run!
The day ended with a selection of war time readings.
Recommended story
Story with photo