This summer, London's Southbank Centre ran an intergenerational writing project in collaboration with Story Slam Live. Writer Karen McCarthy Woolf led a series of workshops for local residents to turn their memories and tales of the 1951 Festival of Britain into narrative.
The project culminated in Silver Story Slam - an exciting spoken word event, where participants read their pieces aloud in front of a live audience and were provided with useful feedback from a panel of 'prose pundits'.
You can read a selection of the Silver Story Slam pieces below.
Dear Sueby Pauline Mounsey
Thanks for a great evening, I really enjoyed myself. The new Dansette record player you bought is great, it’s similar to the one I have. I love the colour of yours, my one is green but I really like your red one. My Dansette is a bit knocked about as I have taken it to several parties.
Dearest Keithby Maggie Smith
Can’t believe this is my last letter to you in Malaya. Seeing the world through your National Service is all very well, but I’ve missed you. I’ve got a great treat lined up for our first outing, I don’t know if you’ve read about the Festival of Britain – do you get English newspapers?
My dear friendby Margaret Lomer
It was lovely to hear from you after 10 years. We had so much fun when the 1951 festival was on. I was interested to hear your experiences with the decoration of your new house. At the time all the new design ideas in the festival seemed to be wonderful.
Dear Maggieby Vi Newman
How lovely to hear from you and to catch up with all your news, but most of all to receive the invitation to your 50th wedding anniversary party which was enclosed, of course we will be delighted to accept. Who would have thought way back in 1951 at your wedding we would still be around and in touch.
If you'd like to try your own hand at creating narrative from memories and experiences, have a look at Karen McCarthy Woolf's writing tips.
