Tuesday Topic, with Christine Rutter

"THE thud of the bombs, the shouts of the air raid wardens. The flames from burning buildings as the incendiary bombs rained down lit the sky for miles around as the searchlights raked the sky trying to locate the enemy planes.

"I can still remember the eerie feeling when we crept outside during a lull to be met by a terrifying sight, debris everywhere - terraces tottered dangerously, everywhere weary people, smoke begrimed and filthy, scrabbled among the remains of their homes trying to salvage what they could of their possessions, or even searching for loved ones."

This memory from the blitz during World War II is just one of countless memories - some sad, most humorous, poignant and thought provoking - packed into a new book launched today.

Lancashire Within Living Memory is keeping our heritage alive through the words and thoughts of Lancashire Women's Institute members which have remained untouched during the publishing process.

"They are unique, personal memories. Each piece has a different subject and style. It is not a uniformed piece of writing," said Dorothy Ritchie the book's co-ordinator. Cobwebs from memories were blown away during the year-long research for the book and long-forgotten albums packed with old photographs resurfaced.

"It is important to record these memories and experiences before they are lost forever," said Dorothy.

The book is bursting with informative tales and entertaining illustrations reincarnating local history and intriguing anyone with a feel for the past.

"People love to reminisce and even if they weren't the good old days, they are still remembered with great affection and nostalgia," said Dorothy.

Gas masks hanging on the back of door knobs, women playing in football teams to return home to do the "women's work", gruelling wash days and the awesome varieties of dishes made using corned beef and dried egg rations!

And it shows amid the graft and poverty of this age comes a colourful kaleidoscope of characters just "living their lives like ordinary folk".

They give a gold mine of information about the first half of the century.

Dorothy said: "I don't want to make them sound like heroines of the day. They are just ordinary people faced with poverty and depravation but they just got on with it without complaint. "Some have gone through two World Wars. The book shows times when it was necessary to pull together."

The book puts our history into focus, said Audrey Weatherill, county chairman of the Federation of Women's Institutes.

Not so long ago horse-drawn carriages were the main form of public transport, water was gathered from wells and gas lamps were lit after dark.

This was Lancashire between 1900 and 1960. The pattern of life today has changed beyond recognition. The decline of the tradition and customs came with the changing conditions of the 20th century.

But the book is a reminder that these years are still within living memory for countless people in our community.

Audrey said: "People don't realise how recently things have happened. Just 50 years ago wash days were long and hard processes for women."

Local pride is an over-riding feeling in the people who write from the heart.

Pride in the vigour of the county's industries, pride in the lovely countryside still unspoilt by the ravages of slag heaps and fumes of factories, towns and happy with their lot. Dorothy said: "The book teaches you about Lancashire, the history, the way of life, the tremendous community spirit and the warm and friendly people who take you as they find you and expect you to do the same."

The book challenges the spiral of boom and gloom associated with this era.

"Special days such as Pancakes Day and outings to Blackpool were met with great enjoyment. It was a depressed and depraved time but a sense of fun prevailed."

Vera Proctor, a member of Hoghton Women's Institute and executive committee member of the Federation, believes that it is important that people today know about the past and understand it, in order to embrace the future.

The book, published by Countryside Books, is launched tonight at the Federation's Autumn Council meetings at Victoria Hall, Bolton, at 7.30pm. And it will be available at local booksellers soon, priced £8.95.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.