The Homefront Recall Programme began in September 2005 and ran for thirteen weeks.
As well as a two hour computer class for ten weeks, here are the events the classes participated in.
Week 1
Bobby Cosgrove, a historian from the East Belfast Historical Society, delivered a series of talks on the experiences of Northern Ireland in the Second World War.
Week 2
Derrick Cartlidge gave a series of talks and workshops on ‘War on the web’ showing participants how to conduct historical research on the internet.
Week 3
John Campbell, a local writer and poet, read extracts from his memoirs about growing up in Belfast during the Second World War.
Week 4
Marian Ferguson, from the Ulster Museum , led the groups in reminiscence workshops.
Week 5
Grace McGrath, from PRONI, held a series of audio-visual presentations highlighting the experiences of Northern Ireland ’s citizens during WWII.
Week 6
Patrick Greer, Chairman of the West Belfast Historical Society, talked about West Belfast in the war.
Week 7
Joe Baker, from the Glenravel Local History Project, led the group on a walking tour of Belfast showing the major blitz damage sites.
Week 8
Jimmy Doherty, ex ARP warden and author of Post 381 – Memoirs of a Belfast Air-Raid Warden talked about his experiences during the Belfast and London Blitz’s.
Week 9
Major Potter, from the WWII museum, invited us along to see the permanent exhibition in Waring Street dedicated to the experiences of the people of Northern Ireland between 1939 and 1945.
Week 10
Davy Russell, an ex Prisoner of War, talked about his experiences in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp.
Week 11
Alistair Kilgore, from the Corymeela Society talked about the experiences of Ray Davey – founder of the Society, from his days as a POW during WWII to his formation of the Corymeela Society to promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland .
Week 12
Brian Barton, author of The Blitz: Belfast in the War Years talked about his research and findings surrounding Northern Ireland ’s experiences in the war.
Also this week, the staff of the Fernhill House museum led us through the historic house at Glencairn that preserves the memories and experiences of the people from the Shankill during the war.
Week 13
End of project party featuring music from the Belfast School of Music and Dance Unlimited.
