From Warfare to Welfare

On Monday 22 March the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth will be transformed into a Second World War set, in celebration of the launch of the ‘From Warfare to Welfare’ (MYGLYW) project sponsored by The Big Lottery Fund.

Ceri Doyle, Big Lottery Fund Director for Wales said:

‘The Big Lottery Fund is pleased to support this project which unites generations to present and record Wales’s history. It is great to see that people from all over Wales are visiting the National Library’

The main aim of the project is to develop young people's understanding of the life of Welsh residents during, and following, the Second World War (1939-1959).

Carys Mai Lloyd, MYGLYW Project Officer said:

'The project has brought young people, ex-soldiers and eyewitnesses together to re-enact various events and conditions. Our hope is that these activities will give young people a wider understanding of the experiences of the older generation’

On 22 March  pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe, Swansea and from Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen, Bethesda will be taking part in various activities connected to themes associated with the Second World War.

The children will all be dressed in period costume as they go back in time to the period  between 1939 and 1959, with the aid of a digital story presentation and a monologue. They will also get an unique opportunity to quiz  Donald Parker of Penparcau about his experiences of being a Second World War evacuee.

In addition, The Glamorgan Home Guard Living History Group will recreate scenes of life during the War in the Library’s corridors. To celebrate the end of the War, the pupils will attend a tea party to the accompaniament of music from the period.

To conclude the day, all of the pupils will be presented with a DVD and a book produced by the project to remind them of their experience.

This project aims to strengthen links between young people, schools and the local community. It also encourages communities and the education sector to work together in oder to record, publish and to make educational use of historical sources and archives at local, regional and national levels.

One of the main activities is the Digital Storytelling project, by which young secondary school pupils and the older generation came together to create a short film, giving them an insight into the practical, technical, creative and emotional aspects involved in such a process

Over 50 digital stories have been created in collaboration with former soldiers, school pupils and eyewitnesses, giving us a taste of life in Wales, and beyond, between 1939 and 1959. These short films combine voice (the person telling the story) and image (personal collection of photographs, documents and objects). The digital stories appear on the project’s website. www.myglyw.org.uk.

Links

• Myglyw website - A website which records the lives of Welsh people between 1939-1959

Further information

Elin Hâf Press Office 01970 632 534 or post@llgc.org.uk