Community News & Events

Alrewas Village Hall was alive on Tuesday May 24th, when over 100 people came to see what was down memory lane. Before the doors had even officially opened the hum of memories, inquiries, date guessing, face naming and the occasional chuckles of early guests began to fill the room.

This event, organised by LANDshapes with Alrewas Civic Society, caught the interest of local people who came to reminisce about the good ol’ days and be reminded of family characters on many old photographs. For some the event was an opportunity to see for the first time images of village life and the dramatic changes the village has undertaken.

Local historian Roger Hailwood brought research on the History of Wychnor Park, by Marc Hailwood. The Civic Society displayed old images. Phil Morrison took us back to the dawn of home entertainment with his collection of vintage wirelesses and television sets, wired up to run some classic programmes.
Jeff Walker’s collection of old photographs which his father gathered over the years amazed and fascinated people all evening, seeing familiar faces and places. Mr John Bassett ran a slide show of the history of local railway services, now extinct. Alrewas Arts played ‘Tales of Alrewas’ a CD collection of recordings of local people’s memories.

There were only so many times people could turn to their neighbour and say ‘Do you remember when…’ before refreshments were needed! Thanks to the ladies of the Alrewas WI, no one went thirsty!

David and Di Kitto wasted no time in capturing people’s memories. Interviewing as many people as possible, to record how things have changed. Keep your ears tuned as memories of playing in the weir, being sister to the first twins of Alrewas in 50 years, moving to the village from Wales and Scotland, drawing water from the local well and living surrounded by fields of cows will be added to the LANDshapes Archive over the next few months.