The Community Council have been working on a Living History Project alongside Isle of Wight Council Heritage Services, the Records Office and Carisbrooke Castle Museum.
Older people often have fascinating memories of how life in Newport has changed through the last 100 years and it's important those memories are preserved for future generations. The idea of the project is to interview those older people who have stories to share, gather those memories and make them available for everyone to listen to, learn from and enjoy.
A mobile telephone app has been created which will enable users to walk around Newport and connect with the past through audio clips and photographs giving the key buildings we all recognise throughout the town a whole new perspective.
Free information sessions on using the app will be provided in Summer 2020 along with events supported by the Heritage Service.
This project has been made possible with the kind support of National Lottery players and the Heritage Lottery Fund and we look forward to unveiling the app for residents and visitors to enjoy very soon.
Summer 2017 events
Displays were held at the Riverfest event and at the Lord Louis Library and there was an amazing buzz amongst the attendees as photos and documents sparked a range of memories. Thanks go to the Lord Louis Library team and the Isle of Wight Council's Archaeology and Museums & Heritage for their support.
The event at Lord Louis Library also received a distinguished guest in the form of Bill Shepard, local historian and Honorary Freeman of Newport.
Photos of pubs, family homes and businesses, many of which have now disappeared, brought forward a fund of anecdotes. Kelly Wetherick, lead officer for the project, said: "There was a fantastic response from everyone who joined us and it was great to hear personal stories and gems such as one gentleman who recalled his time as an apprentice builder working at the Brickwoods Brewery site. He distinctly remembered having his first taste of beer with a free pint a day being the allowance for the builders - his head was spinning the rest of that first day!
This response shows a 'want' in the community to tell these stories and document them, bringing them into the public eye. It's really hoped that future funding will be obtained to develop and expand this project to cover the whole Newport area."
Natural Enterprise commissioned Sassy Productions to interview Bill Shepard about the Lukely Brook and his memories of Newport. The Parish Council made a donation towards the cost of production and four videos have been produced.
The first video is a story about the Lukely Brooke, the second video captures a historical walk along the Quay.
