Writing project explores WW1

A powerful new writing project will be launched at Lancaster Library at 4.30pm on Monday 20 October.

The project, called Time and Tide, is mainly aimed at people aged from 16 to 25.

It will use records of coroners’ inquests from 1914 to 1918, held by Lancashire Archives, to explore the connections between our lives now and those a hundred years ago.

During the project writers will explore untold stories of everyday life to show how WW1 affected the local community.

Among these is the little-known account of how sailors' bodies were washed up on the beaches along Morecambe Bay after HMS Champagne was torpedoed in the Irish Sea, bringing the stark reality of the conflict right to the doorsteps of local ! people.

A local poet, Sarah Hymas, will run monthly workshops and the pieces created will form part of an exhibition including art, print and audio.

Blackpool artist Lisa Wigham will also be involved in creating the exhibition, which will tour around the bay from next April.

Sarah said: "I’m really looking forward to working with people as interested as myself in writing from history with a balance of sensitivity and curiosity that makes our findings relevant to people today.”

The writing produced will be published online as well as printed and recorded for the exhibition.

The project has been funded by Arts Council England, Lancashire County Council and the Friends of Lancashire Archives and is supported by Lancaster Litfest.

While most of the workshops are for 16 to 25 year olds, there are drop-in workshops open to all.

All the workshops are free. For more information go to www.timeandti! de.xyz.

To book on the introductory workshop phone Litfest on 01524 62166.

ENDS

Notes for Editors: Photo shows (l-r): Vicci McCann, senior archivist, and Sarah Hymas. For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Sarah Hymas: [email protected] or 07789 182207.

For further information please contact: Greg Bowen on 01772 536757
[email protected]