Published on:
20
February 2007
'Our War' a book based on the memories of local people who lived through the Second World War, will be launched later this month.
The book, which will be accompanied by a DVD and website, complements the 'Their Lives Changed Ours' touring exhibition which came to the area last year as part of the events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The launch of 'Our War: Clackmannanshire and Stirlingshire during the Second World War' book, DVD and website takes place at 12.45pm on Wednesday 28th February at Alloa Town Hall. Keir Bloomer, Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council, will give the special address, in the presence of Provost Derek Stewart and Sheena Cruickshank, Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire, as well as many of the people who contributed to the book.
'Our War: Clackmannanshire and Stirlingshire during the Second World War' began as an exhibition to complement Their Lives Changed Ours, a touring exhibition from the Imperial War Museum. Our War was based on the reminiscences of people from Clackmannanshire and Stirlingshire who lived through the Second World War - on active service, in reserved occupations and on the Home Front. The exhibition showed how they responded to war and the impact it had on their lives. It included moving, funny and remarkable stories of bravery and good humour in the face of adversity. The exhibitions were first shown at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling from December 2005 until February 2006 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, then later at Sterling Mills Designer Outlet Village in Tillicoultry.
The exhibitions were part of a national project, Their Past Your Future Scotland, which explored how the Second World War changed the people and the landscape of our country forever, looking at the legacy of the war that lives on in our towns and cities, and in our education, social and health services. The project was led by the Scottish Museums Council in partnership with the Scottish Library and Information Council and Learning and Teaching Scotland, working with the Imperial War Museum. It was funded by the Big Lottery Fund. Clackmannanshire Council was one of six lead organisations in Scotland to take part in this partnership project and develop their own programme of events and exhibitions.
Now additional funding has been provided to enable a book, DVD and website to be produced, based on the original Our War exhibition, but containing additional material developed in other parts of the project. The book and DVD present the stories of people who appeared in the exhibition; the DVD includes many additional photographs and longer extracts from the reminiscences. Everyone can read the book and listen to the voices as well. The DVD also includes songs about the War developed by Clackmannanshire schoolchildren working with a storyteller. The website features art works produced by Clackmannanshire pupils during workshops run at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum by the artists Lys Hansen and Sarah Kenchington. Together, the Our War book, DVD and website are a lasting testimony and record of the lives of many local people who lived through the Second World War. The launch is an opportunity to say thank you to all of them for taking part in the project and sharing with us their memories.
The website address is www.our-war.org. The books/DVD will be given out free to everyone/every organisation who participated in the project, together with sets for every school in the county. They will also be available to buy from Susan Mills.For further details please contact Susan Mills at Clackmannanshire Council Museum and Heritage Service, Speirs Centre, Primrose Street, Alloa (01259 216913).