Sharing your memories of life in Millfield over the past 40 years

These are just some of the memories collated about life in Millfield in Peterborough over the last 40 years as part of a new community project.

Community arts programme Peterborough Presents is seeking people with a link to Millfield to come forward with their stories and memories about life in the area over the last four decades.

Stories will feature in a community exhibition in summer this year as part of the project, called The Millfield Link, which aims to celebrate the recent history of Millfield through arts and creativity.

Anyone with a past or present connection to the area is invited to submit their memories via an online portal on the Peterborough Presents website.

Residents are able to upload photographs, documents, and people are especially encouraged to take part by recording a video or audio of themselves talking about their stories.

Examples of memories people have already submitted include playing at the back of Hobson’s Playground as a child; Bill’s Chicken Truck which used to deliver live chickens to families in the area; Mr Singh’s Sweet shop; attending Saturday School; and attending Dereck Browns Dance School on Lincoln Road.

Charley Genever, Community Engagement Officer at Peterborough Presents, said:“We believe that Millfield is a vibrant area of the city, full of rich history and personal stories. This project is feel-good and nostalgic, and even the small, every day memories people might have are important to us!

“Whether you have memories of moving to the area from another part of the world, spending time at your favourite shop on Lincoln Road, or taking part in the pub run from the Crown to town, we’d love for you to share your stories about life in Millfield. The more people that send us their memories, the bigger the exhibition we can create!”

The collection of Millfield memories will be showcased on the Peterborough Presents website, as well as becoming inspiration for a new series of public artworks to be created over the coming months. At the end of the project, all memories submitted will be donated to the Peterborough Archives where they will be preserved and remain available for public access.

At the heart of the The Millfield Link project is the community mural sited on the side of a house on Link Road (pictured).

The mural was painted by artist Francis Gomila and Peterborough Technical College students in 1982 in memory of councillor Roger Brooks, who helped transform the Gladstone area in the 1970s.

It will be restored by local artists as part of the project’s funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.

To donate your memories and find out more about the project, visit www.peterboroughpresents.org/millfieldlink