NEWS FEED
An authentic replica of 1950s Wimborne, with its diminutive buildings and tiny shop window displays, Wimborne Model Town has been attracting and charming visitors for decades.
Now, as part of a fascinating oral history project, the Model Town is playing a different role, as a piece of social history. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the new Wimborne History Festival, the project brings generations together to capture memories in an exploration of Wimborne’s past.
Over the last few weeks, eight children from Allenbourn School in Wimborne have worked with staff from Dorset History Centre to learn how to conduct interviews and elicit reminiscences.
On Wednesday 8 June, six Wimborne residents, or former residents, were interviewed at the Model Town, with the children using the accurate models to help jog memories and encourage the interviewees to recall their past.
Amber Nash, Teacher at Allenbourn School, was delighted that the school had been given the opportunity for its pupils to take part. She said, “The children have gained a lot from this experience – an understanding of and respect for our older generations, and new skills and confidence in talking and relating to people of all ages.”
“It is wonderful to see the Model Town used in this way,” said Manager Greg Hoar, “the models are a tangible record of Wimborne’s past – a catalogue of social history, but this is often overlooked.”
For the interviewees the Model Town was a useful prompt. Wendy Harris lived above her mother’s shoe shop (WR Richmond) in the High Street and can recall the shop and town centre clearly. Some years later her mother bought DR Godsons fashion shop in East Street and Wendy remembers the local ladies coming each spring to buy their summer wardrobes, with purchases ranging from dresses and skirts to stockings and fleece lined knickers!
The recorded interviews will be used by the Model Town to interpret the site in future. In addition they will be added to the Dorset Sound Archive, which is cared for and made available for all to enjoy at the Dorset History Centre, Dorchester. The new recordings will enrich Wimborne-related collections.
To find out more about Wimborne History Festival taking place on 16 and 17 July please visit: www.wimbornehistoryfestival.org.uk
