Lottery boost for war project in Mirfield

Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £10,000 to WYPW for their project Postkarte: Postcards from the Front.

The project will focus on an exhibition of rarely seen private collection of postcards from soldiers on both sides of the conflict posted at the Front during WW1.

The exhibition explores the production of postcards and how they were used as a means of communication during the war.

Ann Seabourne, Chair of WYPW, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for such an exciting and informative project.

“We also appreciate the loan of the postcards from one of our local residents.

“There shall be a full programme of community activities throughout the exhibition period and I do hope the local community pops along and experiences and appreciates this poignant exhibition here on their doorstep.”

The Postkarte exhibition will also focus on how communication methods have changed over 100 years and how printmaking continues to be a vehicle for sharing personal stories and insights in our visual world.

Thanks to National Lottery players the project will mark the Centenary of the First World War, and enable local people in Mirfield to come together to observe the memories and heritage of the people who lived through this period in time.

This private collection, collected over the years by a local resident, provides a vehicle for the sharing of personal stories and insights into what life was really like waiting for a message from a loved one.

Working with local schools, two professional artists will research the meanings behind the postcards

Young people will be designing and printing their own postcards whilst the sharing of stories will take place through an interactive website where everyone can contribute.

The exhibition runs from July 9 to September 3.

Throughout the exhibition period there will be a full programme of artist-led workshops, talks and drop-in activities. To find out more, visit postkarte.wypw.org.