The Heritage Lottery Fund has made an award of £7,100 to Bath & North East Somerset Council for a community project to mark the First World War Centenary.
‘A Century’s Memories’ is part of the Council’s commemoration of the Centenary throughout 2014-2018.
Made possible by National Lottery players, the project starts in September and will involve small groups of older people sharing family memories and stories of the First World War passed down through the generations.
Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones (Conservative, Lansdown), Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “Personal stories, photos and keepsakes are a powerful way of understanding what life was like in 1914-18.
“Older people will have memories of their parents and grandparents talking to them about service in combat or on the home front. It is very important that we share and treasure these unique stories, the last connections to a world of 100 years ago.”
The project will also involve young people and volunteers, who will learn how to research local history and record interviews with the participants. The stories will be gathered into an illustrated book in 2018.
Nerys Watts, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we’re pleased to support this project which will see stories and memories of life in Bath and North East Somerset during the First World War shared – many for the first time – and passed down through the generations.”
To find out more about Bath & North East Somerset Council’s First World War Centenary commemorations, contact [email protected] or visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/WW1centenary.