PUBLISHED 07 May 2020
Recording history
We’re blessed to have an active group of volunteer archivists who capture, catalogue and maintain the archives from all our heritage schools. This has created a fascinating insight into how the character and values of AKS has evolved. This has included a recent oral history project; the collation of materials and accounts of staff and school children in both WWI and WWII which were donated to local primary schools last year; as well as the forthcoming Heritage Trail which will be launched when we can recommence our larger gatherings.
Personal accounts
WWII veteran and Alumnus of King Edward VII school, John Hare, who will celebrate his 98th birthday later this month (on the left of the picture taken last year), recently shared his memories of VE day with AKS Archivist, Liz Bickerstaffe.
He was in the RAF and stationed in Egypt at the time but was on a week's leave in Tel Aviv where he had been keen to visit some of the famous Christian sites. He and some friends were expecting the Jewish community to be throwing their hats up in the air with joy at the declaration of peace but were very disappointed to find that there was just some low-key drinking and dancing in the main square.
He said that it was something of a non-event (and he wasn't kissed by any girls, as he'd hoped!). His RAF comrades back at the camps fared much better. At Alexandria, John heard that the RAF personnel hoisted and spit-roasted an ox on a crane!
Other accounts include Ruth Margolis, QMS alumna, "And I remember VE Day on 8th May 1945. The Lower VI were dress-rehearsing our production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ when the news came through that the war in Europe was ending... The only drink available was milk! So we drank a toast to peace."
"...great was the excitement and rejoicing on the announcement of Peace." (QMS Magazine editorial, April 1946).
"The Lytham St Annes Corporation organised a Civil Defence Stand-Down Parade on the grounds of the school on 2nd June 1945 and victory was celebrated in December 1945 with three Christmas parties for the junior, middle and senior pupils." (Liz Bickerstaff, QMS alumna & archivist).
Making your mark on history
We know that one day the historic events of 2020 will be studied in history and as our gift to future generations, we invite students, staff, AKS OAKS alumni and our wider community to share their experiences of life in lockdown. These personal accounts will contribute to our archives and our legacy.
Please send contributions to news@akslytham.com.
#WeWillNeverForget #Memories #SchoolArchives