Update on ‘Harvesting the Past' by Julia Letts
As the autumn approaches, we are moving into the second stage of this exciting project in and around Martley and the Teme Valley. Many of you have already been involved and I would like to thank you for the support and wonderful contributions you have made. I would now like to get more people involved so please read on and keep your eyes peeled for further updates.
The aim of this project is to create an archive of farming and countryside stories for the Worcestershire Record Office, and to create a community play based on people’s memories and experiences. I have now completed 20 interviews, and have recorded about 50 hours of material. It has been a privilege to drive around such a beautiful area interviewing such welcoming and knowledgeable people, five of whom were well over 90.
Eric Delahay with an early tractor in 1949
The next stage of the project is to share some of their amazing stories with the rest of the community. All the recordings have now been transcribed, each running to between 30 and 60 pages of A4! These transcripts have now been delivered to the project’s playwright, local man John Townsend. By the time you read this, he will have turned the stories into a 90 minute play for the Chantry High School. When the term restarts in September, the Head of Drama there, Sue Rickman, will start to audition and cast parts in the play.
So if you have any interest or ambitions in community drama, now is the moment to come forward. The play will have parts for all age ages and we would like as many people from the community to be involved as possible, including the older generation. This is your play and it is about you. You will need to be available for rehearsals at the Chantry which will be on Wednesday afternoons/ early evening.
We are also desperate for some technical help, particularly with the lighting and sound side of the production. Are there any retired or available people out there who would relish the challenge of getting involved in the production?
My last appeal
for volunteer transcribers was rewarded with three wonderful people (thank
you so much!) so I’m hoping for a good response again. Please
feel free to contact me on Julia.letts@virgin.net
or 01905 453023.
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msh 19/09/09