Grant to Reveal Knowsley’s ‘Hidden’ Wartime Farming History

The environmental organization Feedback Global has announced it will utilize a grant exceeding £235,000 from The National Lottery to illuminate previously “hidden” aspects of farming history from wartime. This funding will enable the organization to examine internment records pertaining to World War Two captives who were engaged in agricultural labor in Knowsley, Merseyside. Additionally, the initiative will incorporate the poetry of the late local farmer Annie Harrison and oral testimonies from other farming families, aiming to provide educational insights for future generations. Feedback Global stated that the collected materials are expected to offer inspiration for addressing “today’s unmet nutrition, horticulture and nature connection needs.” Carina Millstone, the executive director, further commented: “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 highlighted that 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.” The project involves documenting the experiences of elderly residents and researching Knowsley’s archives to comprehend shifts in land use, employment patterns, and lifestyles, elements also reflected in local road names. The organization indicated its objective is to foster “a kindling of interest in building environmental and sustainable food economies.”