How heritage might impact the present. Women of Longhoughton discuss.
We were moved educated and enthralled listening to the heritage of the women who gathered at Longhouton village hall as part of our Woman Made Programme.
The topics of heritage and culture were explored via conversations about treasured objects . Strong connections were made based on the sharing of memory and experiences. We even learned new words like clinker. The session was full of metaphor and poetry - what seemed to be separate stories began to weave around the room creating an embodied tapestry that held us all together.
Our heritage treasury included;
a crystal water jug that survived a W.W.2 bombing - the roof went but it survived a potent symbol of strength and being “ crystal clear” - a better view!
a hand stitched shroud
a dancing medal and dance examination report card that linked to memories of a beautiful dress lovingly made with a D.A. skirt
a secret wedding veil to personalise a shared community wedding dress for that special day
a pebble hand painted by a friend a hand held token of friendship
a Singer sewing machine needle that evoked the sounds of clothes making over the years and symbolised the domestic industry of women along with their pride and loving care for their families.
a set of ceramic figures imbued with the memory and personality of each family member particularly potent now that one person has died.
a dainty cup saved from the fire
a well loved koala bear that had within it the memory of multiple births and deaths, the very stuff of Call the Midwife - paying homage to a strong woman who endured and defied the male medics to create her family.
It was such an enriching and involving afternoon and a privilege to hear these hidden stories . As I said to the group it was so much more interesting than visiting an heritage venue to be told about some member of the aristocracy’s teapot or some such!
The women used their shared heritage to consider the present moment and how the skills and mindsets they had inherited might play a vital part in conservation , reuse and recycling the very things that were part of the current urgent global climate crisis. In particular we spoke about the clothing and textiles industry which has been such a strong thread ( no pun intended ) throughout this glorious celebratory project of women’s cultural heritage.
