Meet the man determined to preserve Leicestershire's wartime memories and stories
A man is determined to ensure Leicestershire's wartime memories are not lost forever after missing out on his grandparents' own tales. James William wants future generations to hear stories from pivotal and historic moments and is using a mobile recording studio to ensure it can be a reality.
The 32-year-old was inspired to get recording after realising he had missed the opportunity to record his own grandparents' stories from the war. He told the Hinckley Free Press: "When my Nan was in a nursing home, I was captivated by everyone's stories, and as soon as they said 'In my day', they had my full attention. Can't anyone relate?"
That personal history is why James is determined to ensure peoples' stories are not lost forever. He is now looking for Leicestershire's war tales and other moments from history that can be preserved for posterity.
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Alongside his mobile recording studio, James is aiming to put together the recordings in a new podcast called Words of Wisdom. It is a series he is set to launch next month across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
The show also aims to preserve these stories for future generations, with families receiving unedited footage of their relatives' interviews. James said: "These videos can be passed down for generations to come within the families I speak to, allowing future generations to see and hear their grandparents, or even great-grandparents, share their life experiences.
"We've already had a good response from care homes on guests looking to share their stories with us."
James is now looking for future guests on the Words of Wisdom podcast, with anyone interested in nominating a potential guest told to call James on 07887 592853 or by emailing: james@jwscoatingsuk.co.uk The first episode of Words of Wisdom will air on Sunday, February 2.
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