THOSE who took part in a project to capture memories from the Mill Street area of Dorchester have been given a personalised memento of their contribution.

Two years ago a group was formed to record the memories of the people who had lived in the colourful area of Dorchester, to prevent them from being washed away down the millstream forever.

Organisers says they did not realise at the start of the project just how much interest it would generate.

More than 30 people showed a willingness to record their memories, and of those more than 20 went on to complete a recording of their family's experience of living in the Mill Street area.

Many of these memories were used in author David Forrester’s recent book Mill Street, Thomas Hardy’s Mixen Lane, published by Roving Press, and he was keen to thank all those who contributed.

The group held several meetings, some of which were attended by up to 60 past Mill Street residents, to display old pictures and share memories.

The majority of the pictures were found on glass slides in Rupert Edwards’s mother’s garage.

These slides were originally used in Magic Lantern shows, by Rupert’s grandfather, A. H. Edwards founder of the Mill St Mission, and the Mill Street Housing Association.

Mr Forrester said the group wanted to thank Rupert and his sister for allowing the photographs to be digitised and shared with the public.

Another exhibition of the photographs and other memorabilia from Mill Street's past will be held in Dukes Saleroom for a week from January 16 to January 20 next year, from 10am to 4pm.

As a thank you to those who recorded their stories of Mill St a bound, personalised copy of their story, was given to each participant at a small celebration held at Fordington Hill House.

Mr Forrester said: "It is fair to say a wonderful time was had by all, and many old and some new stories were inevitably told."

He added that the project was still very much alive and the group was hoping for more stories and information from the area to emerge.

Mr Forrester regularly gives illustrated talks to interested groups and all royalties from his books and fees from talks received go to his two charities - the local women’s refuge and Mill Street Housing Society.