Happy 2013!

In spite of having to fit in the usual many last minute preparations for Christmas at the end of 2012 some of the Bognor Regis Movies and Memories volunteers found some time to meet up at the Regis Centre for a little get together and a cup of tea.

It was a very happy occasion and quiet break from the seasonal madness.  I was really encouraged by the ongoing enthusiasm for the project and the ideas it was generating; in particular, the possibility of continuing the recording of older people’s memories in Bognor Regis into the future.  This is not always easy with a Heritage Lottery funded project, which is only able to continue for a finite period of time, but we still have 6 months in which to pursue the possibilities, perhaps by linking with another similar project, encouraging a local community group to take up the challenge, or even  setting up a completely new group to continue on a more informal basis.  Further ideas and interest would be welcome.

The group also had several suggestions of people who might be willing interviewees.  In fact, even as we spoke, various people walking past were caught in the volunteers’ ‘nets’ and recruited on the spot!

The New Year is going to be an important time for the project as we carry out many reminiscence sessions and oral history interviews.  We will also be showing examples of some of the material we have gathered so far, to demonstrate the range of fascinating memories that we are collecting.

Thanks to all the volunteers in Bognor Regis, Shoreham, Brighton, Worthing and Littlehampton.  We couldn’t do this without you!

Bognor Regis volunteer xmas tea party. Left to right. Janet, Hilary, Phil, Mary, Sue