Theatre company calls on Hemel Hempstead's older women to share their inspirational stories

Dacorum Borough Council is working in partnership with Pursued By A Bear Theatre Company on a creative writing and film project, celebrating inspiring women in Hertfordshire.

The project is part of Herts Year of Culture 2020 and they want to hear stories from older residents in Dacorum.

The film and theatre project for older adults (aged 60+) will celebrate women, past and present, as part of a series of short films called ‘Nothing on Earth: Shorts'.

Katy Silverton, project manager of Pursued By A Bear Productions Limited, said: "We are looking for stories from Dacorum residents aged over 60 about the inspiring women they have known: their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and the wonderful women in the community who have influenced them.

"We are interested in all sorts of writing: poems, autobiographies, dramas long or short - even a paragraph.

"If people aren’t able to write down their stories themselves they can tell their tales to their family or friends and ask them to record their words.

The project follows on from a pilot project last year, working with tenants from Dacorum Borough Council’s Supported Housing Schemes, and they are now looking to collect more wonderful stories.

Rosamunde Hutt, creative director of the ‘Nothing on Earth’ short films said: "In partnership with Dacorum Borough Council and Trestle Theatre, in 2019 we collected stories from elders in Tring and Hemel Hempstead.

"We felt privileged to hear poignant, funny and extraordinary tales and powerful reminiscences of life, love and work, and of the wonderful women of Hertfordshire.

"We look forward to gathering more rich and evocative memories."

If you would like you to be involved, or if you know anyone who has a story to tell, email the written stories to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, November 5.

For more information visit the Pursued By A Bear website. To view a video about the project visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUUkahujazw.