A social groups for ex-service veterans set up in Netherfield to reduce loneliness and isolation reminisced about old times at a World War 1 event at Rufford Abbey Country Park yesterday (11).
Nottinghamshire County Council was awarded £106,000 to fund a project worker for two years to link up veterans aged over 65 with local projects and activities to help them be more active in their community.
The group from Netherfield meet every week and are currently looking to start a history project covering the town and the surrounding areas during World War 1.
The ‘World War 1 Heritage Day’ event included demonstrations, quizzes, competitions, storytelling and displays telling the story of life in Nottinghamshire during World War 1.
Organisations attended include the National Justice Museum, The Queen’s Royal Lancers and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum and the Historic Ambulance Museum.
Navy veteran Barrie Walters, 78, from Netherfield said: “Events like this help bring back the memories. There are some things only veterans understand and remember because of their experiences.
“We used to have more clubs for veterans but these have closed down so there is a big gap. This group help to fill this gap.”
Cllr Keith Girling, the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “The wide range of displays, demonstrations and artefacts at this wartime-themed event helped evoke lots of memories for the veterans and brought the groups closer together.
“This fantastic project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans who are at greater risk of loneliness and isolation in old age.”
It is estimated 5.8 percent of Nottinghamshire’s 750,000 population are ex-service community, which amounts to 43,500 residents.
For more information about the scheme contact Sharon Sorensen from Nottinghamshire County Council on 07771 381124 or visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-structure/supporting-armed-forces
