A NEW exhibition in Stratford aims to create a window into the town’s past.
‘Stratford Born and Bred: an Oral Histories Project’ from wellbeing charity Escape Arts will launch on Friday September 13 at the Old Slaughterhouse heritage centre off Sheep Street.
It can be viewed for free every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm until the end of the year.
The new exhibition, developed by graphic designer Phillip Williams and Warwick University intern Aphra Hiscock, has taken stories from six people who have lived and worked in the town for over half a century.
A spokesperson said: “Without wishing to appear melodramatic or overtly sentimental, it is fair to say that the Stratford of the 1950s and 60s was a very different place to the town we know now and we hope that the recollections of those individuals who have been kind enough to share their stories, build both an intimate and intricate model reflecting just some of the changes, good and bad, that social historians may, or may not, reflect on as progress.”
The team hopes other people will add their own stories to the project and expand it over time to create an archive and asset to the town’s heritage.
The charity is also hosting a heritage open day on Saturday September 21 which will pay homage to Stratford’s former entertainment hall – The Hippodrome – which started life as a cinema in Wood Street in 1912 and ended its days a a bingo hall in 1971.
Families can enjoy 50s style activities including a dog show, charity bingo, dance and musical performances, designed to take people down memory lane.
Search Escape Arts on Facebook for more details.
