Memory Lane Heritage Hampers

Before the outbreak of Covid-19 we were developing the  Memory Lane heritage project with the over 65’s  and those supporting older people living in the Hindley area of Wigan.  Memory Lane is a project designed to allow us to work alongside people to capture their memories of life in the town in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.  We want to find out about how National Service impacted on people, not just those called up, but those left behind as well, and how people worked, shopped and socialised in the town.  The project is designed to encourage people to dig out their old photos, write descriptive labels for them, and add them to an album that can be passed down to future generations.  The project was to culminate in a Christmas Celebration with a display of photos, dancing and a Lancashire Hot Pot buffet.

The Covid 19 outbreak meant our plans had to go on hold and  many of our older people participants  have been shielding  and isolated in their own homes or care homes.

We responded to the sense of isolation and boredom that people were feeling during lockdown and reshaped the project so that some of the heritage activities could be carried out independently by people in their own homes or care home.  We’ve renamed this part of the project Heritage Hampers.

We are now supplying free Heritage Hampers to those taking part.  Everyone is busy enjoying capturing memories in photograph albums, decorating photo frames and bird boxes, and writing vintage post cards to send to family and friends.  We also included tea bags, biscuits and a tin of Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls in each hamper to keep spirits up.

We hope to get the original Memory Lane project back on track as soon as it is safe to do so.

The project has been supported by National Lottery Awards for All  and The Barchester Foundation.