Writing project explores WW1

A powerful writing project will be launched at Morecambe Library from 1.30pm to 4pm on Saturday 24 January.

The project, called Time and Tide, will use coroners’ inquest reports from 1914 to 1918, held by Lancashire Archives, as a starting point for writing fiction, poems, monologues or whatever form people are inspired to use.

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 around Morecambe Bay after HMS Champagne was torpedoed in the Irish Sea, bringing home the stark reality of the conflict to local people.

Local poet Sarah Hymas will run four monthly workshops along with Lancashire Archives and Lancaster Litfest. 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 May.

Sarah said: "I’m really looking forward to working with people as interested as I am 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.

The workshops are free and open to all. They run until April and people are welcome to attend as many as they like.

More information on dates and how to reserve a place can be found at www.timeandtide.xyz, under workshops for all.

ENDS

Notes for Editors: Photo shows (l-r): Sarah Hymas and Victoria McCann, senior archivist. 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]