To mark the centenary of the First World War, Hayle Heritage Centre delivered a year-long community research project, culminating in a four-week exhibition in the summer of 2014.
With very little known research of Hayle in the Great War, nine volunteers created a body of material that explored the effect of the war on the town.
Through a supporting outreach programme, the Heritage Centre collaborated with various community groups. Two memory sessions were held at Hayle Day Care Centre; using photographs, pictures and music we spoke to forty of Hayle’s older residents who shared memories of life in wartime Hayle. We worked alongside Bodriggy Surgery Art Group who crafted a patchwork quilt using photographs of people from Hayle during the war. Our research was used both to inspire Hayle Community School in creating an art installation displayed as part of the exhibition and by Hayle Brownies, whom we worked with during two creative workshops to produce animated short stories. See below to watch the animations.
During a family day at the Heritage Centre the public were invited to learn how to make fabric poppies. In total, volunteers and visitors made fifty-nine poppies, one for each of the men commemorated on Hayle War Memorial, who lost their lives during the First World War. The poppies were sewn into a wreath, which was used by Hayle British Legion as part of the town’s Remembrance Day service. It now forms part of the Heritage Centre’s permanent collection.
Take a look at the interpretation panels, displayed as part of the exhibition. These were written and produced by a team of project volunteers.
