LOCAL history group Melksham Remembers and pupils from Melksham Oak School have teamed up to produce an audio book about the town and its community during World War One.
Recorded at the school, the group are creating an audio version of the ‘Melksham Remembers World War One’ book, based on the 2018 exhibition that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.
Local charity Wiltshire Sight – who support blind and partially-sighted people across Wiltshire – suggested the idea of an audio book to Melksham Remembers, after one of the group’s members, Ray Heard, recorded a reading for them.
“Wiltshire Sight thought an audio book would be of interest to a lot of people that they support,” explains Ray. “And we agreed that it would be a good idea!
“But without Melksham Oak we would not have been able to get this audio book off the ground. They have made it financially possible. But it’s great to have the school involved in the project. These children are our future, but they also need to be conscious of our past.”
It is hoped that the audio book will be ready and available this month. The group anticipates that it will cost £10, plus post and packaging.
The book provides a snapshot of what life was like for the people of Melksham and the surrounding area during the war. Topics covered include how wounded soldiers were looked after in the town, the effort by the community to send food parcels to prisoners of war, and the royal visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the town.
At a recent recording at the school, members of Melksham Remembers thanked Melksham Oak teachers – head of music, Emma Cypher-Neal, and music teacher, Mike Thomas – for their help and support for the audio book project.
For more information contact Melksham Remembers by email: hello@melkshamremembers.org.uk, or www.facebook.com/MelkshamRemembers
