CROWDS came out to share their memories at another successful event for the Mill Street Project in Dorchester.

Local author David Forrester and the Mill Street Housing Society have been trying to capture the memories of people who lived in Mill Street in Fordington.

After collecting various photographic mementos and other recollections, they have been holding a series of events to showcase the work they have done so far.

The latest occasion saw more than 70 people attend to view an array of photographs from the Mill Street Housing Society’s archive.

They were also in for a special treat as boxes of glass slides had been discovered in the barn by a committee member and these had been transferred to a memory stick by Mr Forrester so he could run them as a slide show all afternoon.

Mr Forrester said: “This proved to be a great success. Areas long forgotten by many were there on the screen as large as life.

“Incredibly, despite being blown up on the big screen in St Georges Hall, the quality was excellent.

“Shouts of ‘that’s my granny’ or ‘there’s my uncle, outside our old house’ were to be heard – what excitement!”

Also on display were two bound volumes of Musings by the Mill Stream, which contained all of the quarterly News Sheets which were sold from 1927.

Mr Forrester said: “They contained an incredible amount of information about what was happening in Mill Street, day by day. “In one very moving moment a gentleman opened the book and there looking at him was a photo of his father, a Mill Street resident, who was killed in the war.

“At this time he was only a child of three-and-a-half years old and of course does not remember his father.

“So here in one incredible moment was a photo and details of his father’s service record.

“This was news to him, and also an exciting moment for those of us present at that time.

“It was so wonderful to share that moment with him.”

Halfway through the afternoon Rupert Edwards, great grandson of the founder of the Mill Street Mission Alfred Edwards, explained to those present the purpose of the project, which was to record the memories of those who lived in Mill Street or had relatives who lived there.

It is hoped the memories will be recorded and saved at the Dorset History Centre while Mr Forrester will also use the information as a basis for his next book – Mill Street, Thomas Hardy’s Mixen Lane – which will be published by Roving Press next year.

Mr Forrester said: “It is important that this social history is recorded and kept for all time, before it floats off down the mill stream to be lost forever.”

Anyone interested in sharing their memories of Mill Street can contact Mr Forrester on 01305 261622.