Making stories out of our histories ... part 5 .....the celebration .......today

The community writing project which led to the book ....The Stories of Our Lives has been a great success, and to celebrate that success the book will be officially launched today.

So with an outrageous and unprincipled move I will just lift their launch leaflet and quote Jolene,  "This year, Chorlton Good Neighbours and I teamed up to lead an experimental group in Chorlton.  

It drew together people who all shared the same belief. We agreed that, given the chance, people with life experience have such interesting and valuable things to say that their stories should be heard and recorded in some way.   

Older people with memories and stories to tell were connected with locals with an enthusiasm to listen and varying experiences of writing. Additional volunteers helped in different ways, for example by editing and designing the layout of the finished stories. 

We also received enough donations from helpers to get the book printed.  It was with true team effort that this community group shared, recorded and compiled over 50 stories – enough to create a book that celebrates each of the significant lives glimpsed within it. 

The group would now love to share this finished book with you, to speak of what it was like to be part of and reveal some of the background of how it was put together as a community.  Come help us celebrate our efforts and learning at Chorlton Library today  from 2pm until 3.30pm.  

If you arrive at 2pm, you will see a short presentation, then there will be time to have a cuppa and chat with some of those who were involved.  

The event is free but if you would like to buy a book, a donation of £5 or more in cash is very welcome.  CGN and I are continuing the story telling club on a monthly basis next year so all money donated goes towards future publications produced."


To find out more contact me jolenesheehan@live.com or 07939566148. 

Jolene Sheehan www.joyethic.com

Making stories out of our histories ... part 5 .....the celebration .......

The community writing project which led to the book ....The Stories of Our Lives has been a great success, and to celebrate that success the book will be officially launched on December 14th.

So with an outrageous and unprincipled move I will just lift their launch leaflet and quote Jolene,  "This year, Chorlton Good Neighbours and I teamed up to lead an experimental group in Chorlton.  

It drew together people who all shared the same belief. We agreed that, given the chance, people with life experience have such interesting and valuable things to say that their stories should be heard and recorded in some way.   

Older people with memories and stories to tell were connected with locals with an enthusiasm to listen and varying experiences of writing. Additional volunteers helped in different ways, for example by editing and designing the layout of the finished stories. 

We also received enough donations from helpers to get the book printed.  It was with true team effort that this community group shared, recorded and compiled over 50 stories – enough to create a book that celebrates each of the significant lives glimpsed within it. 

The group would now love to share this finished book with you, to speak of what it was like to be part of and reveal some of the background of how it was put together as a community.  Come help us celebrate our efforts and learning at Chorlton Library on the 14th December from 2pm until 3.30pm.  

If you arrive at 2pm, you will see a short presentation, then there will be time to have a cuppa and chat with some of those who were involved.  

The event is free but if you would like to buy a book, a donation of £5 or more in cash is very welcome.  CGN and I are continuing the story telling club on a monthly basis next year so all money donated goes towards future publications produced."


To find out more contact me jolenesheehan@live.com or 07939566148. 

Jolene Sheehan www.joyethic.com

Making stories out of our histories ... part 4 .....the book ...

Now I am looking forward to getting my copy of The Stories of Our Lives, which is out today.

It  “is the culmination of a community project which brought together older people who wanted to share their stories, lessons and memories, with a group of voluntary writers who were keen to listen, learn and record what they hear".*

The project ran through the later summer and has been a remarkable success.

Once a month, the group came together and over a cup of tea, engaged in telling the stories of how we used to do things.**

Along with those stories, are some fascinating photographs and original paintings attractively laid out in a compelling format.

The idea and much of the organization was undertaken by Jolene who told me that, “This project is being made possible by the support of Chorlton Good Neighbours and a range of wonderful volunteers including the story tellers and writers themselves. Here is some of their feedback:

'How lovely it is to share common memories.'

'It's the most interesting morning I have had in ages!'

'Great for everybody involved.'
'I'd tell my friends to get involved, it's very rewarding.'

'Really fun atmosphere.'

"Enjoyable in all aspects.'

'Helped me relive happy memories.'

'What a fantastic project!'

'I think more people should be involved in more projects like this.'

Wouldn't it be great to reward these people with a memento of their generous efforts? 

To help us get our finished book printed, please check out the Just Giving link below. 

A £5 and over donation means you get your own copy to keep. 

You could also share this post to help us gather further support. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thestoryofourlives "

So, that’s it, leaving you to follow the link above to get your copy.

Location; Chorlton-cum-Hardy

Pictures; the cover and a selection of pages from The Stories of Our Lives, along with members of the project, courtesy of the Our Lives community writing project

So, that’s it, leaving you to follow the link above to get your copy.

*Jolene, https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thestoryofourlives

**Stories of Our Lives community writing project, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Stories%20of%20Our%20Lives%20community%20writing%20project

Making stories out of our histories ….. part 3 ……….. sharing those stories ...

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 a long way to addressing the traditional history books.*

All of which is an introduction to this exciting project.

“The Story of Our Lives is a community project which is bringing 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, came together over a cuppa, enjoying a chat about a key theme and then together, working towards creating an anthology of tales that preserves and celebrates the memories shared that day. 

This project is being made possible by the support of Chorlton Good Neighbours and a range of wonderful volunteers including the story tellers and writers themselves." 

And this Sunday, the result of the project was previewed during Chorlton Arts Festival at Chorlton Unitarian Church**

Jolene who has organized the project commented “A massive thank you to Chorlton Unitarian Church and the Chorlton Arts Festival for hosting our Stories of Our Lives celebration event, as well as everyone else who came to support this wonderful community writing project. 

It was a full turn out, and the participants of this project really got a lot out of sharing their efforts with such a lovely audience.  If you want to support the creators getting their words into print whilst also getting a copy of the book yourself, see this link”. ***

Location; Chorlton

Pictures; The Story of Our Lives, Chorlton Unitarian Church, 2019, courtesy of the project

*Stories of Our Lives community writing project, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Stories%20of%20Our%20Lives%20community%20writing%20project

**Chorlton Arts Festival, http://chorltonartsfestival.org/

***Jolene, https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thestoryofourlives

Making stories out of our histories ….. part 2 ……….. seaside and holidays ... tomorrow

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.

“The Story of Our Lives is a community project which is bringing 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, are coming together over a cuppa , enjoying a chat about a key theme and then together, working towards creating an anthology of tales that preserves and celebrates the memories shared that day.

This project is being made possible by the support of Chorlton Good Neighbours and a range of wonderful volunteers including the story tellers and writers themselves. Here is some of their feedback:

'How lovely it is to share common memories.'
'It's the most interesting morning I have had in ages!'
'Great for everybody involved.'
'I'd tell my friends to get involved, it's very rewarding.'
'Really fun atmosphere.'
"Enjoyable in all aspects.'
'Helped me relive happy memories.'
'What a fantastic project!'
'I think more people should be involved in more projects like this.'

Wouldn't it be great to reward these people with a memento of their generous efforts? To help us get our finished book printed, please check out the Just Giving link below. A £5 and over donation means you get your own copy to keep. You could also share this post to help us gather further support. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thestoryofourlives

We will be sharing some of what we create within Chorlton Arts Festival so keep following this page to find out more.

Additionally, you can message me to find out more if YOU would like to get involved in the project in some way”.*

The next session will be on Saturday 24th August 9.30-12.30 At Adastral House, the  small block of flats opposite Morrisons Garage in Chorlton .

This Saturday morning we are chatting about 'travels and holidays' which again should stimulate lots of interesting recollections and history. The response has been excellent and we have a full set of volunteers to record the memories tomorrow, but we are short of a few people for the session on August 31st.

If you could help it will involve  jotting down a memory and write something up, which may onlybe  a couple of paragraphs.

And for more information follow the link

All of which I think is pretty exciting

Location; Chorlton

Pictures; holidays from the 1930s, from the collection of Ron Stubley

*Jolene, https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thestoryofourlives

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