From Second World War to digital age...
Children are set to re-enact the modern history of their town in a play written using the memories of local people.
The play, called D-Day, Discos and Downloads, will cover 60 years and uses the Portchester Civic Society's oral history project as its source material.
The society spent two years interviewing and recording the memories of more than 60 members of the local community aged from 11 to 90. This formed the basis of a successful book, Portchester in Living Memory.
Now, following more than two years of planning and preparing the application, a 25,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Young Roots fund will mean that the memories and recollections can be brought to life on the stage.
A group of young people drawn from the rights, respect and responsibilities group and the school council at Portchester Community School in White Hart Lane, Portchester, have worked on developing the concept of a youth history of the area.
Paul Woodman, who co-edited the book, said: 'I'm thrilled with the play – it's so good that the project hasn't finished and is going on to another stage.
'The school knew about the oral history project and it was it that suggested that we start on a play. It has turned out a little different from what we first planned, but we are really pleased with it.'
A committee was set up in 2006 under the school's deputy headteacher Alec Roberts to explore ideas for a heritage project using the society's recordings.
This committee has grown to include representatives from other Portchester schools, the library service, Fareham Community Action, the Portchester Players, and the Ashcroft Centre in Fareham.
With guidance from Hampshire County Council arts development, Brendan Burns, artistic director of Solent Peoples Theatre, has been selected to direct the play.
Solent Peoples Theatre has run community theatre projects for over 30 years and has received national awards for its youth engagement work.
The civic society has given the project 500.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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