Stroud's 'Turn back Time' project

I hurried down to the empty shop, which has been transformed into a drapers shop, as part of this living history project in Stroud. It was very busy, mostly with older people, who unusually were encouraged to be looking, but not buying. I soon chatted to a lady from Cashes Green and it turned out we had both been born in Southend-on-Sea! Then my friend Jane appeared and she saw a brown overcoat, which was exactly like her father, Ian Serraillier, when he was teaching near Stonehouse, where the tailor had made this coat. He became very famous as the author of 'The Silver Sword', and she tells me he will be celebrated in an exhibition soon at the Imperial War Museum.

Two ladies were dressed in period costume as guides for us visitors. One man came in and I heard him ask if anyone could repair some of his clothes. He said he was pleased to find a tailor's shop like this still open! However he wasn't so pleased, when he was told it was only a re-enactment of a draper's shop of the past. We all smiled!

The shop was modelled on objects, clothing and paraphernalia which had come from the attic of Herbert Lines, who died a couple of years ago. His drapers shop was in Minchinhampton and his family had offered it to the 'Turn back Time' project, to add to the various items that have come from Stroud Museum and the Stroudwater Textile Trust, who were jointly organising the whole week's events.

When I was photographing the tall wooden cabinet containing Herbert Lines' collection and also his hat, army uniform and suitcases, I noticed Jim Dickenson was beside me with his wife, Vi. I asked him what he had found interesting and he then told me that he was actually Herbert Lines' brother-in-law, and then explained all about the family history. In fact he had no idea that Herbert had bothered to keep all this personal material.

I met Jim through his son Ashley Dickenson, some years ago and have blipped pumpkins and chickens from their farm-shop before now Pumpkins and chooks . These stories of local people, who were relations of the man and woman I was standing next to, made me realise how close this apparent ancient history of pre-war life was. Everyone who visited seemed evoked to remember and share their own stories with both companions and strangers, who were all milling about together.

What a great idea this is. I have posted nearly all the pictures I took HERE, in case others are also interested in old shops, clothes and history. They are just out of the camera, but I hope you will get the feel and atmosphere of the Shop.

If you want to know more about the whole project look at this BBC webpage.