Lady Anne Knowles writes foreword for a book of memories from Age Concern Birmingham

Lady Anne Knowles, the widow of the late former leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Richard Knowles, and a former chair person of Age Concern Birmingham has not only contributed her own memories to this new book of local recollections, but has also written a foreword for the publication highlighting the book's narrative of resilience.

Peter Millington, the editor of I Remember When, an anthology of the stories and memories of older people from the West Midlands, describes the book as 'an antidote for Covid':

"Our organisation, Age Concern Birmingham, continued to deliver support to older people in our area throughout the pandemic and with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund we also continued to run the memory-based heritage project we had only just launched, collecting stories and memories from the older generation for this book of nostalgia.

"One irony of the project has been hearing memories of the generation who collectively lived through historic conditions which not only compared with the present situation, but were arguably far worse. The stories in this book are often of struggle, hardship, poverty and the terrors of war. But the common themes of humour, pride, determination and a strong sense of family and community shine through."

The book features memories of over 50 older people from around the West Midlands and span a range of years from 1918 to the present, with personal and socially historic insights into every decade. From a Marathon running bus driver to the Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, the book is packed with the precious memories of yesteryear.

Lady Anne Knowles said:

"As we read through this rich diversity of recollections, one of the common threads is the theme of resilience. It is easy to forget that the older generation have been on their own life-journeys of aspiration and achievement in spite of very different, though nonetheless great, challenges."

I Remember When was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, edited by Peter Millington for Age Concern Birmingham and is published by Brewin Books.

The book has gone on sale at £9.95 in the Age Concern Birmingham charity shop at 76-78 Boldmere Road, Sutton Coldfield and details will follow soon about how to order a copy by post. Proceeds of sale will go to the work of ACB.

More details from peter.millington@birminghamcarershub.org.uk