LOCAL schoolchildren were the ones asking the questions on the morning of Sunday 28th April on FromeFM, as they interviewed three people whose stories were featured in the ‘Working Memories’ book.
Three contributors to the book, which celebrates the social and working history of the town, were interviewed by children from Christchurch, Berkley and Vallis schools in a pre-recorded programme which was broadcast at 11.00am.
The ‘Working Memories’ book was produced by community group Home in Frome, and Helen Ottaway from the group presents the radio programme which also includes interviews with John Payne about how the book came about, and Brinnie Humm about the involvement of the schools.
To prepare the Years 3 and 4 children for their interviewing role, Brinnie Humm visited the three local schools to carry out workshops where they talked about the book and devised questions to ask.
On the day, Diane Rouse, Dennis Barnard and Pete Stone, whose stories feature in the book, sat in front of the microphone to take the carefully prepared questions from the youngsters.
In the programme, Eve Nielsen and Orrin Keep ask Pete Stone about what it was like to work for Butler and Tanner while Malachi Milne and Isabelle Neale quiz Dennis Barnard about his time in National Service and Millie Light, Willow Hunter and Kamil Pietzyk question Diane Rouse about why she only had cake on Saturdays!
Helen, who is also involved in the local radio station explained, “This is part of a new initiative by FromeFM to pilot local radio directed at and made by children and young people.
“Home in Frome is always interested in finding new ways to get people thinking about the history and community of the town, so we thought getting young people involved in asking questions about the book would be another great way to do this – and having a local radio station means we can share that with the town.”
The show is available to listen to again or to download from www.frome.fm.
Home in Frome is grateful to Heritage Lottery, Aster Homes, Frome Development CIC and Frome Town Council for financial support. The ‘Working Memories’ book is also still on sale at Hunting Raven Bookshop, Frome Museum and other local shops.
