Putting your stories on the map
An exciting new project ‘mapping’ people’s memories of the Gwent Levels is about to roll out.
Credit: Peter Britton
The LLS-3 Life on the Levels project is working with communities of Rumney, St Mellons, Wentlooge, Newport, Caldicot and Monmouthshire to record, document and interpret oral histories from those who have lived, worked, and played in the Gwent Levels.
This will inspire a touring exhibition featuring people’s stories, archive material, photographs, film and art.
There is an urgency to this project: if these stories are not recorded now, then the living memories and experiences of life on the Levels could disappear could disappear from the historical record. The ‘Life on the Levels’ project is making sure that the multiple voices from those who live and work on the levels, past and present, are heard and preserved for future generations.
Training in oral history interviewing and recording will be provided to all volunteers. If you want to get involved, have a story to tell, or a photo to share, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you! Maybe you worked at the docks, fished for eel in the reens, picked wild strawberries along hedgerows, we want to hear from you.
The team leading Life on the Levels project will be out and about in the coming weeks digging out those stories we know are out there. Keep an eye out for our pop-up events that will be coming to you soon and learn more about what we are doing and how you can get involved.
We are looking forward to meeting you. Meanwhile, we are very happy for you to get in touch. Please contact Marsha on: marsha.omahony@gmail.com or call 07989 733870.
