Memories and milestones have been recorded for future generations in a moving project at a community hub in Petersfield.

Elderly residents shared memories of wartime evacuations, school days and walks on the Heath over the weeks during the Life Story Book events at Winton House.

Life Story writer Rachel Lewis has been compiling their stories as part of a ‘Memories and Milestones’ project run in collaboration with Petersfield Age Concern and funded by Cllr John Hutchinson.

The participants are all over 80 with the resulting books capturing their precious memories, celebrating key milestones and providing a legacy for future generations.

“It’s been such a privilege working with the Age Concern group,” said Rachel last Thursday (September 18).

“Too many memories get lost in the midst of time, and it was lovely to hear over the weeks, people remembering stories they hadn’t thought of for years.

“Little details that people often dismiss as being ‘boring’ are actually fascinating details of social history.”

She added: “I loved hearing their childhood stories from tales of sailing boats on the Solent to memories of selling bunches of mint in Petersfield to earn extra pocket money.”

Co-organiser Sheridan Rocher of Age Concern Petersfield said it’s been lovely to hear how the project has built up.

She added: “Although everyone ended up with their own amazing book, it’s also been a very social activity as people have supported each other, sharing stories and photos.”

Cllr Hutchinson, whose handout from the EHDC Councillor Community Grant Scheme made it possible, was thrilled to contribute to the “innovative” project.

He said: “When a generation passes on, we often regret not having asked enough questions and written anything down – this project seeks to remedy that.

“At the same time, the process benefits the storytellers who remind us that everyone has an interesting story.”