Heritage Plus memories

By Nicola Benge

WVS to the rescue with tea at a Derby and Joan club

Photo from WRVS Heritage Plus Archive

Heritage Plus Reminiscence Project

Introduction

The Heritage Plus project is a Sussex-wide project over three years which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project is running in seven different areas in the county, with the aim of improving local history memories, and to encourage participants and volunteers to archive their lives and their memorabilia.

The books and artwork we create are the result of ten weeks of reminiscence sessions with groups of people, all over 55, who attend the WRVS Heritage Plus sessions and who want to share their histories with others. Many of the participants who attended are involved in the WRVS and help with the day centre, as well as other third age and local history projects, so they came well equipped!

The full, rich lives we have included here are just touching on the histories of those who came regularly to the sessions at the centre, and it's been hard to know what to leave out, as well as what to put in. Many of the participants are Sussex natives, or people who have spent many years here for one reason or another, and have an abiding affection for the area. This will hopefully be a resource that will enable others to remember more of Portslade's history, and teach others about the heritage of the town and the wonderful, creative, warm people in it.

Nicola Benge

Heritage Plus Project Coordinator