Heritage Lottery Fund awards £9,800 to mark First World War Centenary

Hollingworth Lake 1914

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant of £9,800 for a project that will encourage and help the local community to commemorate and explore the impact of the First World War on Rochdale borough.

Gone But Not Forgotten will encourage communities to share their stories from the First World War. Using the collections of the Arts & Heritage Service alongside re-enactment and cinema screenings, families will be encouraged to share their stories at community events across the borough. One important part of this project will be re-enactment activities at Hollingworth Lake in commemoration of the soldiers that were billeted there prior to embarking for Gallipoli.

The legacy of Gone But Not Forgotten will create a permanent archive of people’s memories and stories from the First World War in the borough’s Local Studies and Archives collection.

Volunteers will collect photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down to help them build a clear picture of what life was really like.

With help from professionals, the information gathered will be digitally recorded and an online interactive archive will be created where everyone can access and contribute information. The archive will allow the public to discuss, contribute, share and research information about the Home Front.

Commenting on the award, Councillor Alan McCarthy, Rochdale Borough Council’s Lead Member for the Armed Forces, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. This important archive will help preserve the memories and history of the borough’s involvement in the First World War and serve as a fitting commemoration to all those who played their part in the war or on the home front.”

Talking about how people can take part in the project, Link4Life’s Julian Jefferson said: “We will be hosting a series of First World War films on the high definition cinema screen at Middleton Arena and will also be setting up events in local libraries and community venues to ask families to bring in their archives for us to copy and record. We are looking forward to working with the communities of the borough to create a permanent legacy that will be available as a valuable learning resource to future generations.”

Anyone who has family memories that they would like to share as part of this project can register their interest by emailing localstudies@link4life.org or ringing 01706 924915.