Council seeks momentous memories of World War II

Herefordshire Council library staff are seeking more memories of battles, battalions and the blackout, and stories of friendships and feats of bravery.

Herefordshire Libraries are part of the BBC-funded People’s War project.

The aim of the project is to record stories about World War II from people who lived through it, in the forces or at home, or from people who have been told stories by relatives or friends.

All the stories will appear on the BBC People’s War website, generating discussion and inspiring further reminiscences, ready for the 60th anniversary, in 2005, of VE day.

In the second of three planned events, Herefordshire’s war-time memories will be gathered at Leominster Library, on Thursday March 3, 10am – 1.30pm.

Local speaker and writer Bill Laws will give a talk at Leominster library at 10.30am, to help stimulate recollections.

World War II artefacts from Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, copies of documents and photographs from the Council’s archive offices and a collection of World War II related books will also be on hand to jog people’s memories.

People can type out their own stories if they’d prefer but there will also be library staff available to help record people’s memories.

Staff trained in the fine art of reminiscence collection will also be on hand to ensure that memories are recorded accurately and vividly.

Herefordshire Council’s Reader and Literature Development Officer, Brenda Read-Brown, said: “We’re delighted to take part in the BBC’s national project.
“The first event we held in Ross, last November, gave us a fantastic collection of stories – some with a very local twist.
“I’m confident that the Leominster event will bring us many more remarkable and poignant stories – and probably some funny ones too.
“If people can’t make it along to the event on March 3, they can always e-mail them to me at bread-brown@herefordshire.gov.uk.”

Entry to the event is free and refreshments will be provided.