The focus of this part of the project was to collect an oral and visual history from those who ran or used businesses in the Barracks and its relationship with the town.

To start the reminiscence element of the project local historian Andrew Dobraszczyc held a film afternoon at Belong Village. In the weeks that followed, nine volunteers attended five sessions to explore their family histories and to trace relatives who lived or worked in the building.

Nine interviews with people who knew the Barracks well were recorded. Interviewees included current and former tenants, two Barracks Trustees including the Chair, and a woman whose grandmother lived in the building. Four photographs of the interviewees were used to create portraits for the lucky bags and for the exhibition - where they were accompanied by QR codes which linked to the audio files.

The recordings were also used as inspiration for the Barracks poems by Stephen Seabridge and Kyle Cartlidge's final art work.

A further reminiscence day took place when residents and staff from Hempstalls Hall Nursing Home were invited to the Barracks to share their memories.  

The voice recordings are now available to listen to at here.