A NEW farming history project hopes to create an historic archive and play by gathering peoples’ memories.

Worcestershire County Council wants contributions from people, young and old, living in Tenbury Wells, Bromyard and Martley.

Called Harvesting the Past; Memories from Rural Worcestershire, the year-long project has two aims. The first is to create an archive of farming and countryside stories for the Worcestershire Record Office.

The second aim is to use the golden memories to create a playto be staged at the Chantry High School, Martley. The community play will be produced by Sue Rickman, the school’s head of drama.

She said: “This is a chance to bring the whole community together. We want to appeal to people from across the generations. Firstly we need the older folk to come forward and tell us their stories. Once these have been recorded we will need to find actors, actresses and anyone with technical or theatrical skills.”

Former BBC producer Julia Letts, who has 10 years’ experience recording oral history interviews in Worcestershire and Here-fordshire, will co-ordinate the project.

She said: “I know there are some wonderful characters in the Tenbury, Bromyard and Martley areas who have some amazing stories to tell.

“We all lead such busy lives these days that often we don’t find time to listen to them.

“We now have the opportunity to record these memories and then share them with the school and the rest of the community.

“So far we’ve had a great response from the community and I can reassure anyone who’s interested in being recorded that it is a very informal process and quite fun. We’re not just looking for stories and anecdotes, but also descriptions of everyday life, details of all the farm chores in the days before machinery, and memories of the various events in the farming calendar.”

The team is also interested in any old photographs or documents reflecting country life which could be used in a small touring exhibition. The county council, which is funding the project with a grant of £20,000, is inviting people to a launch event at the Chantry school next Tuesday, at 7pm.

They will have the opportunity to find out more about the scheme, meet the students, teachers and rest of the team involved and learn more about how they can contribute. Refresh-ments will be provided.

Anyone who would like to find out more or suggest someone to interview should contact researcher Sue Broome on 01299 251512.