All My Love...

A Celebration of 80 years since the end of WWII

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To mark the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day, local artist Martha Webster has undertaken a research project at the Tameside Local Studies and Archives centre, gathering the histories of these days over the years in Tameside. This research will culminate in a communal art project at Tameside Armed Forces Day, creating a collective work that will commemorate the 80th anniversary for years to come.

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InTameside caught up with Martha to talk about the project and where her research has taken her...

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"My name is Martha, I have been, luckily for me, asked to accept a residency with Tameside Local Studies and Archives to create a piece of work to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE & VJ day.

From the get-go of first meeting Helen Bates, Tameside’s archivist, and being shown the vast collections within the local archives, I have been hooked completely into  honouring the 80 years since WW2 and honouring the stories and sacrifices of the soldiers that fought.

With the archives I have found rations books, Women in Wartime booklet from the Council for Health Education, army personal documents with DO’s and DON’Ts, Tameside Reporters from 1995 celebrating 50 years and letters. Some beautiful letters that were written in thanks to the Women’s Volunteer Service. Who in 1941 sent over a thousand care packages with money and hand knitted pullovers or socks. These letters, sent from East Africa and Europe, express gratitude for the kindness of the WVS in Mossley.  

I have also found a letter sent from one cousin a CSM Howard – about to run a raid on Berlin in 1945 to another cousin Private Hughes. A letter, accompanied by a portion of a German personal document belonging to a member of the Hitler Youth, was discovered beneath the floorboards of a house in Stalybridge. I have managed to trace that CSM Howard Survived the war I hope he received celebratory home coming.

These letters home and articles have led me to want to invite the community on Armed Forces Day to write a letter 80 years into the future. What will you tell the next generations? Will we still remember WW2 and all that suffered in another 80 years? What do you celebrate now? And what does home mean for you?

I would also like to make a call out to ask if anyone has any street party photo Celebrating VE/VJ in more recent years and would be will to have them be part of an 80 year celebration archive and art work could they send them to us on marthadistinwebster@gmail.com."

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If you would like to take part in the project, come see Martha at Tameside Armed Forces Day in Victoria Park, Denton, on Saturday 28th of June, 1-4pm. Everyone of all ages is welcome to join in. Everyone's voice and creativity is welcome!

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