Memories are wanted before it's too late (From Gazette & Herald)

Memories are wanted before it's too late

A TOWN museum is asking for help with creating a local history archive of the Second World War in part of the county.

Beck Isle Museum, in Pickering, is working on the wartime archive, which relates to Pickering, northern Ryedale and the North York Moors.

Members of the museum's oral history team are conducting recorded interviews with local people, both those who served in the Armed Forces and those who remained on the "Home Front".

It is also possible for people to contribute written memories or stories and experiences if they feel they do not wish to be recorded.

Life in all aspects is to be covered, from farm and agricultural life, to village and town experiences, Service life and civil defence.

Wartime period photographs and documents are also urgently being sought to copy for the archive.

One of the aims of the project is also to build a wartime period map of locations of defences, camps, and so on, within the area.

There will also be a specific focus on the Bomber Command bases and personnel of No 6 Canadian Group.

Funding support for the project has come from the Local Heritage Initiative (Countryside Agency, Nationwide Building Society and Heritage Lottery Fund).

The project is aimed at capturing and recording this important period of local history before it passes from living memory. Anyone who feels they can help or contribute to the project in any way should contact Beck Isle Museum of Rural Life, Bridge St, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 8DU, or telephone 01751 473653.

The project co-ordinator, Rodge Dowson, can also be contacted on his personal e-mail at localmilhistory@aol.com, or e-mail the museum at beckislemuseum@aol.com

Updated: 10:33 Friday, May 09, 2003