Rudyard Kipling once said “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten”. Cyfarwydd essentially translates into professional storyteller” and at the heart of what we believe there lies stories. It could be described as nosey but I prefer to see it as unearthing the hidden past. Talking to people helps us to find out the history of families, communities and areas. It is the stories and memories of everyday people that allow us all to form a personal connection with the past.
History is not just about the words and actions of leaders, politicians and rebellious individuals, everyone has a story to tell and their importance cannot be underestimated or ignored. These stories should be shared and celebrated. People should be proud of their history as it helps to make us who we are today.
Last week Danny, my mams 90yr old neighbour, left his home to move closer to his grandchildren. He had lived in that house for 40yrs. Growing up in London he was a bit of a lad, bit of a boxer, hard – working and cheeky. He met the lovely Daisy and they went onto to have a family. Danny was part of the D Day landings. He saw friends lose their lives on those beaches in Normandy. The things that he shared with me and my husband in his living room in the weeks before he left brought everything that I had read about WW2 to life. Danny is a remarkable man but I had known him for nearly twenty years and never knew the life that he had led.
Learn from this. Talk to your parents, grandparents, relatives, next door neighbours, meet your mates down the pub, be the odd ball at the bus stop even and get talking. You might be surprised as to what stories are under your nose and the part in history that people play. Don’t let stories remain uncovered, delve in and be amazed!
History is not just about the words and actions of leaders, politicians and rebellious individuals, everyone has a story to tell and their importance cannot be underestimated or ignored. These stories should be shared and celebrated. People should be proud of their history as it helps to make us who we are today.
Last week Danny, my mams 90yr old neighbour, left his home to move closer to his grandchildren. He had lived in that house for 40yrs. Growing up in London he was a bit of a lad, bit of a boxer, hard – working and cheeky. He met the lovely Daisy and they went onto to have a family. Danny was part of the D Day landings. He saw friends lose their lives on those beaches in Normandy. The things that he shared with me and my husband in his living room in the weeks before he left brought everything that I had read about WW2 to life. Danny is a remarkable man but I had known him for nearly twenty years and never knew the life that he had led.
Learn from this. Talk to your parents, grandparents, relatives, next door neighbours, meet your mates down the pub, be the odd ball at the bus stop even and get talking. You might be surprised as to what stories are under your nose and the part in history that people play. Don’t let stories remain uncovered, delve in and be amazed!