World War One - our heritage in songs and memories

News release
World War One  - our heritage in songs and memories

Primary schools across the South West are to be invited to take part in a First World War intergenerational project supported by a £25,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant, it was announced today.
 
‘World War One - our heritage in songs and memories’ is a project run by the Golden Oldies Charity.  
 
Schools will be encouraged to put on commemorative days, to open their doors to their local elderly people and to sing along to the tunes that bought communities together during the First World War at home and in the trenches. The project will illustrate that singing brought the nation together 100 years ago and can still be used for that purpose today.
 
There will be special focus on the song ‘Roses of Picardy’ written by Bath resident Frederick Wetherly. ‘Roses of Picardy’ was the’ number one’ song of the period and was used to help rehabilitate soldiers who returned from the War.
 
The project will produce an information pack for schools who wish to engage in the project explaining how to hold 'Heritage Days' and how to engage elderly people from their local communities. A new website will also be created. Later in the life of the project a major Open Event at Bath in July 2015 will be held which will include a concert involving 700 young people and 300 elderly people.
 
Rob Parsons, a Trustee of the Goldies Charity and Head Teacher at Colerne Primary School,  said;
 
“It is very important for primary children today to have a greater understanding of 1914 and the First World War. Children are naturally inquisitive; always exploring, asking questions and making connections to gain a greater understanding of their lives and the world around them. War is a difficult concept to understand for old and young alike but one thing is clear - it significantly impacts upon our lives, our families, communities and the subsequent future world in which we are to live. The First World War had just that significant impact on so many.
 
“Despite the horrors, it clarified values, increased resolve and united millions in the cause of justice and what is true and right. During these troubled years communities worked together like never before, supporting those in need, changing traditional methods and stereotypical roles and giving unconditionally, all for the common good - in other words it shaped the world our young children live in today.“

Grenville Jones added:
 
“We have commissioned an easy to sing medley of First World War songs for schools to sing. Singing together brought communities together 100 years ago at home and in the trenches. The project will hopefully lead onto research into other areas of our wartime history including playground games, currency and the effects the war had on the school’s families at the time.  
 
It’s important to record, for future generations, the photos, songs, medals and memories that link us with a past that must not be forgotten.”
 
Explaining the importance of HLF’s support for the project, Nerys Watts, Head of HLF in the South West, said: “The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already invested over £47million in projects – large and small - that are marking this global Centenary. Our support means that local people like those involved in ‘World War One - Our Heritage in Songs and Memories’ will be able to explore the songs, memories, artefacts that make up  the continuing legacy of the conflict and help young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has changed the world they live in today.”
 
Schools across the South West will be sent information leaflets, can access information on www.golden-oldies.org.uk  or contact Grenville on 01761 472468.
 
Ends

  
 
Notes to Editors

 
About Golden-Oldies
The Golden-Oldies charity brings music and singing to brighten the lives of hundreds of elderly people across the South West through its popular daytime sing-along sessions. Independent academic research has underlined that the charity, with Sir Cliff Richard as its Patron, is having a positive effect on hundreds of lives.  
 
Bath-based music man and well known choir conductor Grenville Jones founded Goldies, as it has become fondly known, in 2008 with just four daytime singing and activity sessions, taking them Himself. The Goldies charity has made remarkable progress in six years and hundreds of elderly people now look forward to attending the lively daytime singing and activity sessions. This year will see the  100th session launched and  the charity now has over 25 dedicated session leaders. New sessions will start this year in Gloucester, Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire  and Goldies in Essex will also be launched. In South Wales under the Goldies Cymru banner there are now 25 monthly sessions with plans to have a minimum of 50 by 2016..
 
The Goldies charity has won accolades for its past Time after Time schools intergenerational projects which have encouraged schools to open their doors and welcome the elderly from their local communities. Back in 2012, the Goldies Jubilee Time after Time programme was an  award winner in the education category of the prestigious National Lottery Awards.

 
About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 36,000 projects with £5.9bn across the UK www.hlf.org.uk

Further information Grenville Jones  0777 828 2934.