Making stories out of our histories ……….

Young Clara, date unknown

Now the title could quite easily have been reversed to “making history out of our stories”, and both are at the heart of a new project to record the memories of Chorlton people which will go along way to addressing the traditional history books.

These were full of the tales of the great and good, along with the not so good and the very bad.

 It was a style of history which didn’t just forget to record the lives of working men and women, but actually didn’t even recognize them.

At best they appeared only as walk on parts, left nameless, viewed as insignificant and at worst were mentioned as “the mob” the humble peasant” or "the unwashed majority”.

And yet Caesar would not have achieved his victories, Hannibal have crossed the Alps, and countless generals down the ages without those who cooked the meals, dodged the bullets and carried the baggage.

Harold and Alma at the seaside, circa 1930s

They were the people who “lived out little lives in great times”, and their contributions are equally important and deserve to be heard.

And that brings me back to an exciting new initiative.

“The Story of Our Lives is a community project which will bring together older people who want to share their stories, lessons and memories, with a group of voluntary writers who are keen to listen, learn and record what they hear.

Once a week for a month, local people who may not otherwise have met, will come together over a cuppa , have an enjoyable chat about a key theme and then together, work towards creating an anthology of tales that preserves and celebrates the memories shared that day. 

There has been so much support already for this project in terms of time and energy given. 

Here are a few examples (there are many more): Chorlton Good Neighbours have kindly partnered in the organisation of this; Chorlton Arts are also helping to promote and support the work and Topping Publishing Productions have offered to help edit, illustrate and get it ready to send off to the printers. 

The Simpson/Goldsmith christening, 1981

Most vital of all, story tellers and writers are giving their time for free to create the content. It's a thoroughly inspiring project to help co-ordinate.

HOWEVER, one thing that doesn't seem to happen for free is printing! We want to print enough copies of this book so that all the participants can get one to keep as a memento of their contribution and that costs.... money!

By donating even £2 to this cause, you will help create something of lasting importance to our community. 

If you donate £5 or over, you can receive your own copy of the finished book as a thank you”.* 

So there you have it, follow the link, make a donation, and look for details of  the Stories of Our Lives community writing project, Chorlton.

Shopping for bargains, 1979

Pictures; Young Clara, date unknown from the collection of David Harrop, Harold and Alma Morris at the seaside, circa 1930, courtesy of Jean Gammons, the christening, 1981 and shopping for bargains, Ashton Under Lyne, 1979, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*Stories of Our Lives community writing project, Chorlton
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thestoryofourlives?utm_id=107&utm_term=n524ZpW6w&fbclid=IwAR3iDZqlrdrZh9XfvZZ7f-5T6sZ4IlLMgDCcSTozIiuJTCrouV6BkfpimbE