
1 minute read
Book Review: Memories - reflections on the past
By Trudy McKnight
After moving to a retirement village and meeting new friends over casual conversations, the author of ‘Memories - reflections on the past’ Trudy McKnight came to realise the folk residing there had a wealth of knowledge, life experiences and skills, but most of all personal stories to tell.
Advertisement
“When these people leave the village, their stories will leave with them. Stories of a bygone era, a time that is now part of our history.”
Hours were spent recording and writing, then typing to ensure everyone in the village had the opportunity to tell their story. The result is 21 stories where surprisingly many experiences were similar – children at school during the war years carrying their gas masks and, in some instances, cotton wool to put in their ears, and a wooden peg to put between their teeth, running and jumping into drains – practice for possible bombing raids. Stories from those who as young children were in Britain, London, during bombing raids. School teachers using corporal punishment, straps on hands and legs, throwing chalk and dusters, punishment for speaking Te Reo Maori.
Twenty-one people told their stories, over two hundred pages, all residents of a Whangarei retirement village. Stories telling of life’s ups and downs, trials and tribulations. Stories of history - schools, teachers, war years, isolated farming families, coal mining, railways and beyond. Stories reflecting on the past – of times gone by.
‘When an old person dies a library burns to the ground’.