WARTIME memories, medals and even a rag rug are all playing their part in a special Remembrance exhibition at Westbury’s new heritage centre.
Visitors to the centre in the library will be able to read the newspapers tracing the progress of the war, see gas masks and ARP tin helmets, look at photographs and enjoy the wide range of propaganda posters.
“We are very fortunate that we have some brilliant items in our collection, donated or loaned by local people. They include medals from World War One right through to a hand-made rag rug that is a great example of wartime mending and making do!” said Heritage Society chair Sally Hendry.
Exhibits on display include a WW1 roll of honour from the Laverton mills, identity cards, ration cards and even a couple of clothing stamps. There are reminders too of the role Westbury played in the wars, including photographs of a crashed aeroplane, pictures of the Home Guard and of WW1 soldiers outside the swimming baths in Church Street. The pool had been covered and provided barracks for soldiers.
Westbury played host to Italian and German prisoners of war in WW2, with camps at Eden Vale, the Ham and Oldfield Road. One of the items in the heritage exhibition is a little painted wooden basket made by the prisoners of war – just one among many items made by them.
There are reminders of convalescence hospitals too – Heywood House played its part in WW1 and Leighton House in the second war.
“We would really love people to come along and tell us of their wartime experiences too – among our future plans is an oral history project, so we can capture the memories and experiences of Westbury people”, said Sally
The exhibition starts on Friday 29th October and will run for three weeks. Next up is a Christmas exhibition packed with toys we may or may not remember, together with a host of seasonal heritage treats for sale including Westbury calendars.
The heritage centre opened in its new venue in September. It is open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday morning. Find out more at www.westburyheritagesociety.org.uk
