Children in Huyton have travelled back in time to discover how their grandparents lived during the Second World War.
Members of Knowsley Housing Trust’s (KHT) Horrocks and Montgomery Residents Association have been working with schoolchildren to teach them how their area was affected by the war.
“By teaching the area about its history we hope to encourage people to respect it,” said Ian Parnell, Chairman of the Residents Association.
During the war, Huyton was host to an Italian prisoner of war camp, a German internment camp and a transit camp.
Many streets in the town, such as Normandy Road, Montgomery Road and Ardennes Close, carry a reminder of the conflict.
To help give children a taste of what war life was like, members of the residents association invited pupils from St Aidens Catholic Primary and Roby C of E schools to an event at the Huyton Suite on Civic Way.
The children dressed in outfits from the time, listened to music from the 1940s, looked at posters from the war and ate food taken straight from a VJ Day menu.
“We had a great day,” added Ian. “It was fantastic to be able to teach many generations of residents about our rich history during this era.”
The Horrocks and Montgomery Residents Association have now secured funding from the National Lottery to continue educating youngsters about the war, and are organising a second event to allow schoolchildren to interview residents who lived during that time.
They will also arrange educational visits to the old camp sites and finish the project with a DVD to keep as a memento of their proud past.
“It’s a fantastic way of encouraging youngsters from the town to learn about their heritage,” said Knowsley Housing Trust Chief Executive Bob Taylor.
“Huyton has a fascinating history, especially around World War II, and it’s great to see our customers are keen to ensure that their memories of the area are passed on to the next generation.
“I’m sure that it will have a major impact on helping build a great community spirit in the town.”
Members of the Horrocks and Montgomery Residents Association have been teaching youngsters about WWII
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