Background to Radcliffe WWI Exhibition 2014
The Radcliffe on Trent U3A centenary exhibition was organised by a small project team, all living in the village. It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Radcliffe Parish Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.
Back row from left: John Toon, Dave Barton, Philip James, Jim Parkhouse
Front Row from left: Jill Palfreman, John Parry, Pauline Woodhouse, Christine Bland, Barbara Sawford, Rosie Collins, Diana Barrett, Philippa Culshaw, Stan Harbidge, Mary Riddell, Lyn Toon, Diane Kidger, Marion Caunt.
Between us, we undertook a huge variety of jobs including carrying out research for eighteen months prior to the exhibition, publicity, taking part in programmes produced by the BBC, ITV and Radio Nottingham, planning the display, printing the posters, talking to the press, transporting heavy items, restoring display pieces, collecting and labelling artefacts, finding period costumes, setting up the exhibition, installing and running equipment and liaising with other contributing local groups. During the exhibition week, we were busy conducting an opening ceremony, stewarding, looking after the public and answering their questions, checking safety and security aspects, providing refreshments, introducing speakers, showing films and everything else needed to put on a good show.
The research documents presented at the exhibition have been expanded and are now on the website. They include the Radcliffe Roll of Honour, which is linked to servicemen biographies, the Radcliffe War Memorial, Radcliffe Occupations 1911, Letters, How Radcliffe Servicemen Died: WWI Timeline, G.V. Elwin memoir, Women and WWI and the Medals documents.
A dedicated sub group of researchers from the project team are continuing their search to bring fresh information to the public throughout the commemorative years 2014–2018. They are Diana Barrett, Marion Caunt, Rosie Collins and Pauline Woodhouse.