Treasured memories, a real page-turner

Tales of love, war, tragedy, humour and life have been shared by BallyCara residents, who are now published authors, following the release of their book Village Voices Anthology of Memories.

The book, which features the stories of 37 residents, was launched on April 9 and was initially a writers’ club project with about a dozen people working on it.

Facilitator Judy Kenefick says they placed notices in the letterboxes of residents at the Scarborough retirement village, inviting them to take part. They were delighted with the response.

“A lot of people had already written something, so it was a case of extracting something from that. We had a couple of people who actually sat down with people and took their story – recorded it,” Judy explains.

“I really believe that everyone has a story. No one’s life is ordinary.”

Writers’ club founder Arthur Walters says he has been impressed by the imagination and talent of residents.

“I feel sure, as a result of this, there’ll be other people in the village who will write their own story now,” he says.

Resident Hilary Clarke, who also worked on the book, says the publication has had a positive impact on the BallyCara community.

“A lot of older people feel invisible and so it literally does give people a voice,” Hilary says.

“Once you retire, no-one wants to know about that part of your life. It’s as though you didn’t have it.”

BallyCara Village General Manager David Schade says the book has been a way to preserve history.

“It’s a lovely thing to produce a book that can hold some memories for the future - to go back and be able to read - whether it was a love story, the war, the depression,” he explains.

David says this history is often lost, if it is not documented.

“For those who have been able to contribute, it’s stuff they’ve really wanted to get out and tell the world, tell their families, tell the community. They have a lot of pride in telling that story,” he says.

Village Voices Anthology of Memories is available from Amazon and BallyCara.