A grant of almost £30,000 has been awarded for an 'exciting' new Oswestry project.

'Homefront Heroines' is being led by Qube to commemorate the lives and stories of the town's women during the First World War.

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will help to reveal the impact the war had on their lives on the home front and also how they contributed to the war.

Project researcher Sarah Gathercole said: “There are many women who’s contribution has been forgotten, for example the two Oswestry police women and Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) staff nurse Margaret Thomas who was given a medal by King George V.

“Women were making ammunition boxes, running businesses in the town, working the land and knitting for the troops and refugees. It’s a very exciting project that will record just how important women were to the war effort.”

The project will culminate in a mixed media exhibition at Qube in November 2018, composed of the stories, photos and artefacts uncovered during the project research. It will include a launch event, inviting the local community to come and find out more about these hidden women from Oswestry’s history. The research uncovered will also be available to view online creating a resource for the wider community to access and learn more about their heritage.

Qube is now looking for volunteers to help with the huge task of collecting and recording information, and is inviting anyone with stories, photos, artefacts and personal testimony’s to share them with the project by getting in touch or by coming along to a meeting at Qube on Friday, May 25 at 2pm.

Laurel Roberts from Qube added: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. I’m confident the project will be a great asset to the town and will reveal some fascinating stories”.

Anyone who would like to get involved can contact Qube on 01691 656882 or email art@qube-oca.org.uk