The art of letter writing

The Art of Letter Writing

In July, Junction Arts will begin a new project with Age UK Derby and Derbyshire groups in Bakewell, Hope and Hulland Ward.

The Art of Letter Writing is a project looking at the lost art of letter writing and the pleasure of sending and receiving a letter, especially for people who lead isolated lives in some of the more remote areas of the Derbyshire Dales.

Members will begin the project by looking at historic letters kindly lent by the Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock. The letters include examples written by WWI soldiers from Derbyshire to their families, a letter to Sir Henry Fitz Herbert of Tissington Hall from his wife Agnes and daughter Selina dated 1820 and a letter from the Duchess of Devonshire’s ladies maid to her mother in 1805.

The second session will include sharing our personal letters and discussing why we’ve kept them and what they mean to us. During the final workshop, members will write to family or friends and include a stamped addressed envelope, ensuring everyone receives a reply.

We hope that the corresponding will continue, bringing joy and something to look forward to for both parties.

Junction Arts would like to thank Derbyshire County Council Councillors Judith Twigg and Jim Perkins and Derbyshire Dales District Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council Local projects Fund for their generosity in funding The Art of Letter Writing.

For more information about the work of Junction Arts visit their website www.junctionarts.org

Pictured: Jane Wells, Project Cordinator at Junction Arts; DCC Councillors Jim Perkins and Judith Twigg;  Mary Ward, Age UK DD Day Centre Manager.