St Cyres pupils help keep wartime memories alive (From Penarth Times)
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St Cyres pupils help keep wartime memories alive
4:40pm Monday 20th August 2012 in News
DONATION: St Cyres students left to right: Marcus Hicks (head boy), Eloise Johnson (head girl), Matthew Johnson (deputy head boy), Sam Berg, Rohaan Saleem. Also pictured are Dr Hicks, Katherine Owen (senior librarian), Alison Singleton (library manager)
ST Cyres School sixth-formers and their headteacher, Barry historian Dr Jonathan Hicks, presented a copy of their booklet 'We Got By' to Katherine Owen and Alison Singleton of Barry Library.
The booklet is an illustrated collection of the memories of people interviewed by the Sixth Formers over the course of two days at the recent Wartime Weekend event in Barry which was part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and many private sponsors.
Marcus Hicks, head boy, said: "We were able to digitally record the recollections of many people who lived through the Second World War. They told us all about being an evacuee, the American troops based in Barry and what the bombing roads were like."
Eloise Johnson, head girl, was fascinated by the stories she was told.
"It was really interesting listening to the memories of the people we interviewed, including my grandmother, and we all learnt so much," she said.
Dr Hicks said: "I am delighted that we were able to produce this document as a lasting legacy of the Wartime Weekend, and I would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to take part in this project.
"Two of the people interviewed did not leave their names with the students and if they would like to contact me at St Cyres School I can add them to the booklet.
"One was a lady from Barry whose father was a firewatcher and whose aunt lived in Church Road in Cadoxton. The second was a lady from Penarth who remembered the barrage balloon in St Cyres Road and who went to Victoria School.
"We would very much like to hear from them so we can send them typed copies of their interviews."
The booklet is available for viewing in the reference section of the library and will provide an important permanent personal insight into the experiences of local people during WW2.
