HISTORY is going 'on the road' with the launch of new travelling exhibitions.
South Shields Local History Group has joined forces with the local history section at the town's Central Library on the 'Shared Memory' project.
The aim is to take small photographic exhibitions out into the community.
The history group occasi
onally hold displays in the Old Town Hall and, at a recent event, an enthusiastic visitor suggested it might consider taking the display to people living in sheltered accommodation schemes, where residents would enjoy reflecting on the images and their associated memories.
The idea was discussed with Anne Sharp, the local studies librarian, and the committee decided to take up the challenge.
And after a successful pilot at St Clare's Day Centre in Jarrow the scheme is to be extended.
History group spokeswoman Dorothy Fleet said: "As a relatively new group with little in the way of finance, it was proposed that local business people should be approached for sponsorship and, to date, we are very grateful for donations received.
"This money enabled us to buy various materials including display boards, folders and a laminator.
"The library gave support with access to their extensive photographic collection and advice on how best to display the materials.
"Jackie Richardson, officer in charge at St Clare's Day Centre, agreed to run a pilot project and an exhibition based on South Shields during the Second World War was displayed there.
"The display was on table top boards for ease of access together with a file of laminated photographs which could be handed around.
"Text was enlarged for ease of reading and kept to a minimum.
"The aim was to encourage people to reflect on their own experiences and, if they wished, to recount their recollections in either a written or recorded format.
"Jackie said it was a great success and several people had written down their experiences, which will be added to the Local History archives."
The group members are now busy working on two new themes as well as approaching other establishments which might like to borrow the displays for their residents and visitors.
For further information about the Shared Memory project, to arrange a booking, or to make a donation so they can extend the number of displays they can provide, call 456 8090.
