The impact of the First World War on a small community
Tales passed down through families will be vital to project
By Joanna Gavaghan (text reproduced from The Longrdige News, September 21, 2016)
Villagers researching the impact the First World War made on their community have been awarded a grant of more than £4,000.
Clive Thompson, chairman of Chipping Local History Society, which has been awarded £4,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Then and Now project marking the centenary of the First World War, says everyone is delighted with the news.
He said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund which will no doubt be of huge benefit to the whole community in understanding how past generations in the area dealt with radical changes in society, particularly in this case, village life.”
The aim of the project is to research and explore the stories behind the names commem-
Those who served in the armed forces and returned to live in the community will also form an important part of the project.
It will enable local people of all ages who are interested in preserving the memories and heritage of those who lived through the war to come together. They will be invited to volunteer to seek out photographs, letters, newspaper clippings, documents and keepsakes for copying from
families and friends of those named on the War Memorial and of those who returned from the war.
Family tales passed down the generations will be important in building a clear picture of what village life was really like at the time. Society members will visit the Lancashire Archives to learn research skills, Preston’s Harris Library and Museum and local military museums.
With help from professionals information gathered will be digitally recorded and an on-
The results of the research will be available for future generations through the society website, booklets, indexes and a ‘Chipping
Wartime Walk’ leaflet.
Information boards will be used for exhibitions in the Community Hall and Village Hall.
The society will continue to engage with local groups, in particular the two village primary schools.
Sara Hilton, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West said: “The impact of the First World War was far-
“We have already invested more than £45m in commemorative projects, including community projects like this one, which will enable people to explore and record their local wartime history and commemorate those from Chipping who were affected by the conflict.”
Chipping Beavers lay a wreath at the Chipping War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday in 2016. The project will research and explore the stories behind the names on the memorial. (Picture by Paul Durham)
Newspaper article brings great response
At the February open Sunday, members were delighted by the response to the appeal, when family members of three recipients attended with their inscribed medals.
The Society members were able to present information on the background of the medals and the details of the presentation ceremony, whilst the family members told fascinating stories about these brave men who survived the war.
As part of the Heritage Lottery project, Chipping local history society will be producing two book-
In memory of the young men of Chipping who gave their lives during the 1st World War.
John Bamber
John Bleasdale
Wilfred Blezard
Giles Burton
Henry Coulthurst
William Coupe
Richard Edward Duckworth
John Thomas Eccles
Richard Hoyle
Thomas Hoyle
Richard Moon
John William Nuttall
William E. Parkinson
Major Rhodes
Rowland Seed
Thomas Slater
James Irving Walmsley
John Woods
World War I
Junior Trail
This is a quiz for children which will start and finish at Brabins Shop -
In memory of the young men of Chipping who gave their lives during the 1st World War.
To view or download a copy of the History Society’s unique publication please click HERE