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May is Local History Month, and The National Forest’s LANDshapes – Heritage in the Making Project has joined forces with Derbyshire County Council’s Library Service and local heritage groups to organise two unique events.
All are invited, free of charge, to “Memories of Swad” on Tuesday May 17 10am–6pm at Swadlincote Library, and “Memories of Melbourne” on Monday May 23 2pm–6pm at Melbourne Library.
“Local History Month is a great way for groups to highlight local history and for people to get involved,” said Lucy Ashworth, Community Liaison Officer, LANDshapes, “Both these events involve seeing, sharing and saving local history. Experience how lives and landscapes have changed in the area.”
The Swadlincote event features fascinating displays of photographs and artefacts by The Friends of Eureka Park Group and the South Derbyshire Miners Preservation Society.
In Melbourne, The Melbourne Historical Research Group will be exhibiting and promoting their new publication: ‘The Diary of Joseph Briggs’. Briggs was Melbourne’s first historian, and this work is an important addition to the history of Derbyshire. Local photographer, Peter Clough, will be exhibiting his photographs of Melbourne, taken over the last 15 years. Melbourne Civic Society will also be displaying images from their archives.
As well as displays, visitors can listen to a collection of recorded conversations with local people, telling their life stories.
Saving knowledge, memories and stories for future generations is an important part of both events. Participants will be invited to take part in the LANDshapes scheme to build a collection of local history information.
”You can share your own memorabilia of days gone by and tell us about how things have changed in your lifetime,” added Lucy. “ Please bring in your own old photographs of the area or objects that relate to bygone industries and ways of living. Have a look in your attics, sheds and wardrobes for items to be recorded and placed in the new collection.”
Help will be on hand to record and add your memories to the new LANDshapes community archive.
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