This theme is about the memories of World War Two: from when the war began and the everyday changes it brought, from preparing the beaches for invasion, the trials of rationing and having identity cards, to building air raid shelters in the hope of protection from the daily threat of air attack bombings.
This was also a time of great movement of people; be it child evacuees and overseas soldiers joining the community, as well as local people being conscripted to foreign places whether to fight or work. And finally this theme looks at how the war changed the town - the celebrations of VE and VJ day and the slow journey back to peace.
Rationing
The introduction of rationing during World War Two brought about some surprising views in retrospect. Rations were a great equaliser, as it ensured that the rich ate less and the poor ate more. Although people went hungry, historians now believe the lack of certain foods, and the constraints of 'making good', went some way to improving the diet of most people during the time.
Evacuees
The implications of continuous air attacks on Britain's cities and towns led to the introduction of an evacuation programme. Children and babies were sent to the relative safety of the country to be spared the expected horrors of the bombings.