How war changed life for women
THE impact of WWI on women’s lives is the subject of a Chapel Gallery exhibition and project to commemorate the end of the war.
Opening the Gates, which also marks 100 years of women having the vote, will focus on stories and characters with strong links to West Lancashire.
It officially opened on Saturday (October 6) and is planned to run until January 19.
The exhibition will show how during the war years ordinary women were thrust into occupations previously only occupied by men and how, ultimately this, combined with the suffrage movement, led to those women gaining the vote.
The project will illuminate local heritage through archive photographs, letters, newspapers and objects.
It brings alive the heritage of local women who had active roles during WWI, such as those who served abroad as nursing and Army auxiliaries, demonstrating their contribution to the war effort, and their bravery.
Archive films from the Imperial War Museum in London will also be shown. Heritage talks take place on October 12, November 9 and 23, and January 8. Families with a connection to the war are invited to help experts with their research, or join guided tours on October 13 and November 3.
To book places call 01695 571328 or email chapel.gallery@westlancs.gov.uk.
West Lancashire Borough Council runs the gallery and has secured £10,000 from Heritage Lottery to develop the exhibition in partnership with Edge Hill University and Ormskirk and District Family History Society.
The society’s archive material of photographs, letters, local newspapers and other documents will be used in the exhibition.
In partnership with the university’s creative writing department, the gallery will aim to explore the impact of this period of history on women’s lives today by commissioning writers to create work that explores the notion, “for better or worse”.
This will examine the impact the roles West Lancashire women took on during WWI had on their 21st Century counterparts 100 years later.
Local schools can also take part in free tours and education workshops, which can be booked by calling 01695 571328 or For more details, visit email chapel.gallery@ www.westlancs.gov.uk/ westlancs.gov.uk. ww1.