War archives to highlight 'hidden' farming history

Young farm workers take a break from potato picking at a Kirkby farm in 1910

Wartime archives will be used to highlight “hidden” farming history using a grant from The National Lottery.

The environmental organisation, Feedback Global, said it would use the funding of more than £235,000 to delve into internment records of World War Two captives, who worked on the land in Knowsley, Merseyside.

They will also use the poetry of the late local farmer Annie Harrison and oral recordings of other farming families to help educate future generations.

Feedback Global said the material would provide inspiration to solve "today’s unmet nutrition, horticulture and nature connection needs".

Rediscovering roots

Executive director Carina Millstone added: "We will be working with the community to capture and celebrate Knowsley's lost agricultural heritage, and to revitalise the area's rich food and farming traditions."

The charity says Knowsley’s "distinct farming and food heritage from 50+ years ago […] is at risk of disappearing, so preserving it and bringing it to life for residents of all ages will enable everyone to access it in the future".

They will record the experiences of elderly residents and explore Knowsley’s archives to understand changes in land use, employment and lifestyle, which have also been captured in local road names.

It said its aim was to see "a kindling of interest in building environmental and sustainable food economies".