To Have and to Holder
When Nod was best man at a Black Country wedding
WE are currently going through an uncertain and extraordinary time in our recent history.
Unusual time
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the way we go about our everyday lives and Dudley Archives needs your help to document what life was like before, during and after this pandemic.
Diary
We want to make sure that we are documenting this unusual time so that local stories and perspectives from the community are kept for future generations to research and learn from. We need your input to help us establish a COVID-19 archive.
If you’re not already, why not start keeping a written, printed or digital diary that can be deposited with or copied by Dudley Archives when the crisis is over? There’s no right or wrong way of doing it, but below are some topics to get you started: ■ What does your day now look like? How does this compare to your life pre-lockdown? ■ Do you have children being home-schooled? ■ What activities have you been doing to keep the children entertained? ■ Have you taken up any new hobbies? ■ If you are in isolation or shielding, how are you coping? Are you receiving help from anyone? ■ Are you an essential worker and, if so, what is life like for you? ■ Are you a small business owner? How has the pandemic affected your business? ■ Have you been furloughed or told to work from home? How has this changed your daily life? ■ How do you feel about the lockdown? What do you miss the most about normal life?
Variety
We would love to hear from a wide variety of people to make sure the archive represents the communities within the Dudley Metropolitan Borough. Bear in mind we would like to make these records available immediately, so if you’d rather remain anonymous, feel free to only use initials when referring to yourself and others.
Photos
During lockdown we have continued to collect local newspapers, but would also be interested in any notices, leaflets and photographs you may have that relate to the pandemic and lockdown life.
Dudley Archives are currently closed in line with government advice, so please keep any items in a safe place until we are able to receive them. We will put out a further call when we are able to receive items. If you have any questions in the meantime please email dudley.archives@gll.org