“Distant Voices” – Alison Spedding

Audio Visual Exhibition at Newcastle City Library

Friday 8 August 2014 – Wednesday 13 August 2014 – Level 2

North Shields photographer, Alison Spedding shares with you the voices and photographs of local people as they recount stories of daily life during World War II and the immediate aftermath of it.

There is a 34 minute audio recording of the “voices” sharing their memories with you, including the story of Jack Watson, now 91 years old and who fought at Monte Cassino, Italy.

Some of the stories are amusing, others are emotional and moving – all are accompanied by photographs taken by Alison.

In stark contrast to modern day life, the WWII exhibition “voices” talk about:-

• Rationing
• Evacuation
• Entertainment
• Tales of National Service
• ‘Ordinary’ boys/men that went to war
• How the bombing in North Tyneside affected everyday lives
• Fathers that went to war and who were strangers to their young children when they returned home

The “Distant Voices” are symbolic of an age and a time that is fast receding from human memory – they share with you memories of lives lived and ‘extraordinary’ events which are completely alien to today’s children and young adults – yet which to the “voices”, seemed perfectly ‘ordinary’ at the time.

Please come along to the exhibition at Newcastle City Library Friday 8 August 2014 – Wednesday 13 August 2014 – Level 2 (near the Café) and leave a comment in the guest book – I’d love to know what you think of it. 

If the exhibition strikes a chord, feel free to leave a memory of your own in the book too!

During August part of the exhibition will also be available to view on Alison’s website:-
Website: www.alisonspedding.co.uk/portraits