A COMMUNITY project to explore, conserve and share some of Kirkby Lonsdale’s First World War stories has secured £9,000 in funding.

Awarded through Heritage Lottery Fund, the money will be used for a Then and Now Stories project which aims to re-frame stories from the past and make them more accessible to a modern audience. Digitised books, a specially commissioned play, and a YouTube film will all form part of the community project in Kirkby lonsdale marking the centenary of the First World War.

Building on work already done by Sydney Richardson, a local man responsible for creating the books of remembrance held in St Mary’s Parish Church in Kirkby Lonsdale, the Then and Now Stories project will work with local schools and community groups to collect and share personal war stories and create a contemporary piece of commemorative theatre to be performed in November 2014.

Project manager Jayne Davies said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and hope that through this project local people will not only hear the stories of those listed on the war memorial but also the stories of those who survived or remained behind and learn of their legacy.“ Anyone with stories to tell about the soldiers named on Kirkby Lonsdale’s war memorial or the wider community at that time, should contact Ms Davies on 07870 457147 or email jayne_s_davies@hotmail.com.