Down Memory Lane - Oasis Group Abingdon

 Down Memory Lane - Films

Link below: 
Project overview
Down Memory Lane (Oxfordshire, Abingdon) - Oral History Reminiscence and Archive project ran for six months. This project was developed and organised with Filmmaker/Artist in Residence -Sharon Woodward and the Oasis group based at Abingdon Resource and Wellbeing Centre. It involved visiting speakers, entertainers and arts workshops. The activities stimulated the memories of the Senior Citizens who took part. In this film we take an overview of the entire project and give an outline on what has gone on and how the work is being used.

 Link below: 
Declaration of War 1939
Members of the Oasis group speak about their memories and experiences when War was declared. In this short film Senior Citizens remember where they were and how they felt when the 2nd World War was declared.

 Link below:
Memories of War 1939 - 1945
In this short film we pay tribute to those who suffered and overcame hardship, who worked for the Resistance and gave their lives.

Young People Involved:


Youth inter-generational involvement with the project Down Memory Lane explores the  Rationing system and Social activities of times gone by.

Link below:
John Mason School - Gifted & Talented Group
John Mason school taking part in the Down Memory Lane Project. Making a sponge cake with a recipe issued by the Ministry of Food in 1940. Using Dried egg & Powder Milk.

Link below:
1st Drayton Brownies
The 1st Drayton Brownies visit the project they are celebrating nearly 55 years and speak to the Senior Citizens about their childhood memories about clubs, youth groups, games and other activities.

Link below:
Anderson Shelter
Doris and Pat talk about what they remember about the Anderson Shelters.

Link below:
Women During WW2
Stella Coulling speaks of her time during the War as a bus driver. With contributions from the Oxford Bus Company, (including interview with female bus driver Sharon Harry)
Oxford Bus Museum Trust Ltd,


Link below:
Ration & Fashion
The result of a number of show and tell workshops which developed into members speaking about their experiences during the 2nd World War.
In this short film they talk about the Rations and what they had to do to remain fashionable during that time. With contributions from Little Nellie's Sweet Shop.

 Link below:
Feedback on exhibition
Exhibition – Down Memory Lane (Oxfordshire, Abingdon) the Oral History, Reminiscence and Archive project ran for six months. The films, stories, artwork and photographs were collated for an exhibition that was open to the public on the 22nd September 2012. Here is some of the feedback for the day.


Thank you to those individuals and organizations for supporting this project and helping us to make this happen. Through time, volunteering, equipment, resources, publicity or for directly taking part in this important Oral History, Reminiscence and Archive Project for future generations.

 Thank you to the project and activity staff : Helen Jacobs – Artist, Painter, Sculpture & Textiles, Isla Goldsmith – Thrive Project Officer, Gill Munday – Heritage Learning and Access Manager County Museums, Helen Fountain – Reminiscence Officer, Museum of Oxford, Nicholas Gill – Solo Jazz Piano & Musical Director of Oxford Classic Jazz.

 Down Memory Lane is funded by The Awards For All Grant – Lottery Fund.
The project is was run with: Forum Oasis Chair and Committee representatives
Renee Zarecky , Doris Hurley, Janet Churlish, Sylvia Pead and Mary Southey

Jackie Bowler – Abingdon Resource and Wellbeing Centre
Abigail Brown & Helen Jacobs – Arts Development Officer Vale of the White Horse District Council
and
Pauline Krason, Pat Taylor, Kathryn Baggott , Sarah Holloway, Lina Mokute,
Christine Sadler, Jackie Richards and Ruth Evans

Cait Sweeney – Assistant Co-ordinator, Documenter & Production Assistant

Sharon Woodward – Filmmaker/Artist in Residence, Project Manager

Article on exhibition : Oxford Times

Pegasus Theatre

Oxford Bus Museum

Midcounties Co-op Heritage

Museum of Oxford

Phoenix Picturehouse Oxford

BBC Schools World War 2

BBC Reel History

Thrive Gardening Project

The University of Wales -Newport Film School

Vale of the White Horse

Oxfordshire County Council Museum Service

Lottery Fund

Big thank you to Prelinger Archive Prelinger Archive 
Broken Home  

Sharon Woodward - Projects and Films
Sharon can also be found here  WoodwardMedia Facebook page

The Down Memory Lane - Exhibition Success

Down Memory Lane
Oral History, Reminiscence & Archive Project - Exhibition 22nd September 2012

Now being used in Schools and other educational establishments, Senior Citizens Groups as well as a resource for those in the UK and throughout the World on-line.

What people wrote:

“I love my teddy and my family” (unknown Brownie) (in relation to what you would take down in the Air-raid Shelter - they could select 6 things that children may have had during the 1940's)

“I was amazed at all there was to see”

“Those good old days! I remember dried bananas, dried egg powder, tins of honeycomb and singing round the piano”

 “Bert, wish I’d known you in your heyday – you look so dashing in the photos!”

Sandra (PCSO)

“I never knew a camera in the olden days was so different” (unknown Brownie)

“I never realised how many games have changed”(unknown Brownie)

 

What people Said:

“Absolutely wonderful I think such a lot of work went into it. Its so valuable It stirred up so many memories for me” Elaine

“Really excellent Exhibition really good example of community involvement, so you’ve got intergeneration, young people working with older people”  Richard 

 

What a wonderful success Saturday was with The Down Memory Lane Project.

We had excellent feedback with over 100 people who attended.

 

Amongst those who attended and spoke to us:

Alastair Fear from the Abingdon Heritage Blog – who asked if it was possible to show some of the Down Memory Lane Exhibition at next years Heritage Day.

Alastair said:

I love to see the old photographs what people were like then and what they are like now. Also what they did – I’m amazed at people who are quite elderly have done so much in their lives. There is a lady here who used to drive a bus and she wouldn’t have had the chance if the War hadn’t come about. There are some amazing films as well. People interacting with Brownies and Scouts comparing what things were like then and now.  

 

Film Director Martyn Chalk -Chief Executive of Chalk Star Films

It’s great isn’t it? So much history and history in the community all these people getting together to remember. It’s important because all these things will just disappear otherwise. One of the most important things is to learn about our history and what has gone on in our past. I was lucky I got to grow up with my grandparents – but there are so many people my age that just don’t know these things.

 

Andrew Hart – Designer/Photographer Queo Design Group

One thing I found interesting was how communities have existed in the past. From a personal level it was how I felt integrated with that. I was also remembering things myself, the fruit gum box appearing on screen, I suddenly thought, oh I remember that!

I was born ten years after the War but there was still a lot of things hanging around from that time.. One of the things we do is take so much for granted. Today people will have a mobile phone, computers at least one car. I remember as a kid if somebody had a car we would all turn out in the street and watch it come down the road.  

 

Also big congratulations to the 1st Drayton Brownies who received their hostess badge - we appreciated all those cups of tea you made.

This project is going to go on to a number of schools and Senior Citizens groups. We were also being asked where else it would be shown. We are currently looking at offering some of the exhibition to organizations that are interested in putting the stories out on display.

                               Renee, Doris and Betty - Cinema section of the exhibition
                                                    

   Reg & his daughter watching his wife and her mother talk about being a Girl Guide

                                                       Burt with his Purely King Display 

Thank you once again to everybody involved and those organizations and individuals who gave their time.

Ending on response from a daughetr and granddaughter:

Norma (Betty & Reg’s daughter)

Betty and Reg my father in the Navy and my mother was in the Wrens. This project has given them a great deal of self-esteem. They have been so interested in it, my mum loved getting all her Brownie and Guide photos out.. I was a Guide and so were my children.

I’m staggered that this group of people have had so many experiences between them. 

 I think it’s important that projects about people like this one are made. Especially like this that involves all the different generations.

Betty & Reg’s Granddaughter

It is wonderful, it’s brought memories back of them talking about their childhood and also my neighbour is on the wall as well (known as Jane) so that was wonderful.   

                                  Renee Zarecky speaks to Rhianne Pope from the Oxford Mail 

Newspaper articles about Down Memory Lane:
Community Project Brings History To Life
Down Memory Lane - Tales of escaping Communist East

Thank you to all those individuals and organizations for supporting us and helping us make this happen. Through time, volunteering, equipment, resources, publicity or for directly taking part in this important Oral History, Reminiscence and Archive Project for future generations.

Thank you:
Gill Jaggers - Head of Marketing Pegasus Theatre
Roger Hammett – ‘Reel History’ Archive Partners BBC South
Suzy Sheriff & Matt Taylor - Manager & Assistant Manager Phoenix Picturehouse
Philip Cowen – Academic Subject Leader Newport Film School @ University of Wales
Newport
Louisa Weeks & Phil Ashworth - Oxford Bus Company
John Bayliss – Oxford Bus Museum Trust Ltd
Anne Ransome – Midcounties Co-operative Archive
Kay Harman - Little Nellie’s Sweet Shop, Henley
Ruth Hudson - 1st Drayton Brownies
Charlie Barrnett & Amy Paterson - John Mason Gifted & Talented Group
And the Ark T Centre, Cowley, Oxford

Thank you to the project and activity staff : Helen Jacobs – Artist, Painter, Sculpture &
Textiles, Isla Goldsmith – Thrive Project Officer, Gill Munday – Heritage Learning and
Access Manager County Museums, Helen Fountain – Reminiscence Officer, Museum of
Oxford, Nicholas Gill – Solo Jazz Piano & Musical Director of Oxford Classic Jazz

Down Memory Lane is funded by The Awards For All Grant – Lottery Fund.
The project was run with:
Forum Oasis Chair and Committee representatives
Renee Zarecky , Doris Hurley, Janet Churlish, Sylvia Pead and Mary Southey
Jackie Bowler – Abingdon Resource and Wellbeing Centre
Abigail Brown & Helen Jacobs – Arts Development Officer Vale of the White
Horse District Council
and
Pauline Krason, Pat Taylor, Kathryn Baggott , Sarah Holloway, Lina Mokute,
Christine Sadler, Jackie Richards and Ruth Evans

Cait Sweeney – Assistant Co-ordinator,

Documenter & Production Assistant

Sharon Woodward – Filmmaker/Artist in
Residence, Project Manager

Sharon Woodward - Projects and Films

Down Memory Lane - Exhibition

Sharon Woodward - Projects and Films

Down Memory Lane - Exhibition 22nd September

The Down Memory Lane project is coming to an end. We have had some amazing activities and events producing some incredible oral history, reminiscence and archive work. 

 Saturday 22nd September
12.30 – 4pm
Abingdon Resource &
Wellbeing Centre
Audlett Drive
Abingdon
OX14 3GD
Parking Available next to the Centre

One of  the Down Memory Lane films will be shown as part of the Portobello Film Festival with Stella Coulling speaking of being an Oxford bus driver during the 2^nd World War. Showing 15^th & 16^th Sept at the Westbourne Studios, London

 

There will also be a screening for schools at the Phoenix Picturehouse, Oxford

During September Term to find out more please contact the Cinema: 57 Walton Street, Jericho 01865 316570 or email phoenix@picturehouses.co.uk

 Phoenix Picturehouse Oxford 

 last week Sharon Woodward screened the films made at the Centre.

We had wonderful feedback with members saying how important they thought the project had been, that it was interesting to watch, that they couldn’t wait for their family and friends to see the films.

Robert – said: Thank You for the opportunity.  

Janet left us with this thought she said:

Our Memories are what make us nobody can take them away from us.

Anderson Shelters – with Pat Fairbrother and Doris Burton 2 min

Women During 2^nd World War – Stella Coulling talks about being an Oxford Bus driver during the War (thanks to Oxford Bus Company)  9 mins

Ration & Fashion Members of the Centre talk about rationing of food, sweets, ration books and painting your legs with gravy browning (thanks to Little Nellie’s Sweet Shop) 8 mins
Down Memory Lane - Overview of the project – The film demonstrates what has gone into the project. The speakers, entertainers, artists and discussions with members of the Centre remembering everything from their first TV set to the lack of sex education. Film Narrated by Renee Zarecky 17 minutes

Declaration of War  - Renee Zarecky, Winifred Smiles, Pamela Jones remember where they were, what they did and how they felt. 5 mins

Memories of War – Renee Zarecky & Winifred Smiles recall some of the more difficult aspects of War - Concentration camps.  (PG)   PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME IMAGES IN THIS FILM MAY BE UPSETTING FOR YOUNGER VIEWERS. 5 mins

John Mason School – John Mason Gifted & Talented group make a sponge cake using ingredients that were rationed. The cake is then presented to the members of the Centre who sample the baking. 5 mins

Brownies – The 1^st Drayton Brownies visit the Down Memory Lane project. They ask the members questions on rationing, clothing, shopping and hobbies. Betty Macdonald recalls being a Brown Owl and a Girl Guide Patrol Leader. 5 mins

 We would like to thank those individuals and organisations for supporting this project. Through time, volunteering, equipment, resources, publicity or for directly taking part in this important Oral History, Reminiscence and Archive Project for future generations.

Thank you:

Gill Jaggers  - Head of Marketing  Pegasus Theatre

Roger Hammett – ‘Reel History’ Archive Partners BBC South

Suzy Sheriff & Matt Taylor - Manager & Assistant Manager Phoenix Picturehouse

Philip Cowen – Academic Subject Leader Newport Film School @ University of Wales Newport

Louisa Weeks & Phil Ashworth - Oxford Bus Company

John Bayliss – Oxford Bus Museum Trust Ltd

Anne Ransome – Midcounties Co-operative Archive

Kay Harman - Little Nellie’s Sweet Shop, Henley

Ruth Hudson - 1^st Drayton Brownies

Charlie Barrnett & Amy Paterson -  John Mason Gifted & Talented Group

And the Ark T Centre, Cowley, Oxford

Exhibition will take place on the 22nd September

Thank you to the project and activity staff : Helen Jacobs – Artist, Painter, Sculpture & Textiles,  Isla Goldsmith – Thrive Project Officer, Gill Munday – Heritage Learning and Access Manager County Museums, Helen Fountain – Reminiscence Officer, Museum of Oxford, Nicholas Gill – Solo Jazz Piano & Musical Director of Oxford Classic Jazz 
 

Down Memory Lane is funded by The Awards For All Grant – Lottery Fund.

The project was run with:

Forum Oasis Chair and Committee representatives

Renee Zarecky , Doris Hurley, Janet Churlish, Sylvia  Pead and Mary Southey

Jackie Bowler – Abingdon Resource and Wellbeing Centre

Abigail Brown & Helen Jacobs – Arts Development Officer Vale of the White Horse District Council

and

Pauline Krason, Pat Taylor, Kathryn Baggott , Sarah Holloway, Lina Mokute, Christine Sadler, Jackie Richards and Ruth Evans

Cait Sweeney – Assistant Co-ordinator, Documenter & Production Assistant

Sharon Woodward – Filmmaker/Artist in Residence, Project Manager

 

Sharon Woodward - Projects and Films  

Down Memory Lane - Remember When

A lot has been going on since I last posted workshops, discussion groups, creative art, filmmaking and promoting.

Down Memory Lane work is getting noticed.

Thanks for drawing this to my attention, and

all the best with this work.

The conversations you record enrich our

communities. I am pleased they are

inspiring other activities too.

Andrew Smith MP

Helen Fountain Reminiscence Officer for the City visited ‘Down Memory Lane’.

She spoke about Morris Motors and the old Pressed Steel plant. Doris Burton

remembered her time working at the plant during the War when it was an  ammunitions factory.

Make Do And Mend with Helen Jacobs

Workshops started this month with Artist Helen Jacobs . Felt making with themes from make do and mend.

Members remembered making clothes by recycling cloth and cutting patterns out of ready-made clothes

Pupils of St Helen’s also joined in the session as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Dig For Victory with Isla Goldsmith & Thrive

It was time to get your hands dirty and look at how growing your own helped

through the War years. Thrive looking at the history of gardening and the ‘Dig For Victory’ Jan recalls that when War was declared all the flowers went from the garden and the vegetables came in. Soot was dried from the Chimney to put on the garden along with other products from day to day use.

Films On-line Vimeo History Channel

1) Women During the 2nd World War – (Stella Coulling Oxford Bus Driver)

Film Click Here: Stella Coulling 

2) Ration & Fashion – (looking at Rationing, Food, Clothes and Fashion with members

of the Centre)

Film Click Here: Ration & Fashion 

3) Anderson Shelters – (short interview with Doris Burton and Pat Fairbrother)

 Film Click Here: Anderson Shelter

4) John Mason School – (Make a sponge cake using a War-time recipe)

 Film Click Herte: John Mason School Baking A Cake

5) British Declaration of War 1939-45 (Members speak about their memories when

War was declared)

 Film Click Here: British Declaration of War

6) Down Memory Lane with the Brownies – (1st Drayton Brownies join the Centre to

remember social clubs (Brownies, Guides, Scouts and Girls Life Brigade), activities

and games as well as celebrating their own anniversary of 55 years)

Film Click Here: Brownies How was life for you 

7) Down Memory Lane - (Remembering the hard facts of War - contains images of concentration camps) We wanted to remember those who survived and those who did not.

Film Click Here: Memories of War 1939 -45

We would like to thank those individuals and organisations for supporting this

project. Through time, volunteering, equipment, resources, publicity or for directly

taking part in this important Oral History, Reminiscence and Archive Project for

future generations.

A Big Thank You To:

Gill Jaggers - Head of Marketing Pegasus

Helen Fountain – Reminiscence Officer Museum of Oxford

Roger Hammett – ‘Reel History’ Archive Partners BBC South

Suzy Sheriff & Matt Taylor - Manager & Assistant Manager Phoenix Picturehouse

Philip Cowen – Academic Subject Leader Newport Film School @ University of Wales Newport

Louisa Weeks & Phil Ashworth - Oxford Bus Company

John Bayliss – Oxford Museum Trust Ltd

Kay Harman - Little Nellie’s Sweet Shop, Henley

Ruth Hudson - 1st Drayton Brownies

Charlie Barrnett & Amy Paterson - John Mason Gifted & Talented Group

Isla Goldsmith – Thrive

Helen Jacobs – Artist

Anne Ransome – Archive Midcounties Co-operative

Exhibition will take place on the 22nd September

Thank you to Helen Jacobs and Isla Goldsmith for the ongoing workshops. We will have visits from Cait Sweeney and Nick Gill who will be giving us a sing-a-long as well as looking at the Stars from the Golden Screen. We have objects and memories with Cait Sweeney, Gill Munday – Reminiscence from the County Museums and cinema with screenings of feature films and showing some of the films we have made to date.

Down Memory Lane is funded by The Awards For All Grant – Lottery Fund.

The project is being run with:

Forum Chairs (representing the Oasis group)

Renee Zarecky , Josie Kinduich , Doris Hurley, Janet Churlish,

Sylvia Pead and Mary Southey

Jackie Bowler – Abingdon Resource and Wellbeing Centre

Abigail Brown & Helen Jacobs – Arts Development Officer Vale of the White Horse District Council

and

Pauline Krason, Pat Taylor, Cathryn Baggott , Sarah Holloway, Lina Mokute, Christine Sadler

and Jackie Richards.

Sharon Woodward – Filmmaker/Artist in Residence, Project Co-ordinator

Cait Sweeney – Assistant Co-ordinator

Sharon Woodward - Projects and Films  

If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Have Baked A Cake

Down Memory Lane with John Mason School 

The film made with Abingdon Wellbeing Resource Centre members,

inspired a discussion on rationing with a group from John Mason School.

Following this on Thursday 19th April the Gifted & Talented group at John Mason School embarked on a cookery project.

The recipe and method was as followed:

Cake or Pudding Mixture

1 egg (reconstituted);

4 ozs national flour;

2 oz Sugar

1 teaspoon backing powder;

A little Milk

Method.- Beat Egg. Cream fat and sugar,

add egg and lastly the flour mixed with

the baking powder. Mix to a soft

2 ozs sugar;

2 ozs fat;

1 teaspoon baking powder;

A little milk.

consistency with a little milk. Spread in a

tin and bake for 15 – 20 minutes.

Note. This mixture can be steamed in a

basin for 1 hour and served as a pudding

with jam or custard sauce.

The cake was given to members of the Centre to try and see if it was how they remembered cakes tasting at the time.

I am still interviewing individual members who are kindly sharing their memories of time gone by. We have spoken of those who managed to get away from the islands before the Germans arrived. Many remember leaving on boats with only a suitcase with them. Others recall losing their homes when they came up from the Air Raid shelters and found their homes had been bombed.  They spoke of being put up in a church until such time as they were found other accommodation.

These are funny, sad intriguing stories and only wish I could spend longer on these very short films.

We have more that will be taking place over the next six months. Artist Helen Jacobs will be running workshops in June & July. Co--op Archives Anne Ransome will be visiting, Helen Fountain and Gill Munday from the Museums, Cait Sweeney will be looking at the Stars from the Golden Screen. While Isla Goldsmith runs the tabletop plants and gardening session and we look at the  ‘Dig For Victory’ campaign. 

Down Memory Lane is funded by The Awards For All Grant – Lottery Fund.

The project is being run with:

Forum Chair- Renee Zarecky

(representing the Oasis group) , Josie Kinduich , Doris Hurley, Janet Churlish, Sylvia Pead and Mary Southey

Jackie Bowler – Abingdon Resource and Wellbeing Centre

Abigail Brown – Arts Development Officer Vale of the White Horse District Council

and

Pauline Krason, Pat Taylor, Jean Abraham, Sarah Holloway, Lina Mokute, Christine Sadler and Jackie Richards.

Sharon Woodward – Filmmaker/Artist in Residence, Project Co-ordinator

Cait Sweeney – Assistant Co-ordinator

Sharon Woodward - Projects and Films