An exhibition featuring portraits of local men who gave their lives in the First World War is to take place at Threlkeld Village Hall in November.
It is being put on by David Robinson from November 1 to 11 and is called The Keswick Lads.
“I started the project a few years ago when I was engaged in a family history project,” said David. “I came across a website called Keswick at War which contained the names, biographical information, and some photographs of men from Keswick and the surrounding areas, who died in the First World War.
“I decided to combine my interests in art and social history and make some portraits using the photographs on the website. I was delighted when Threlkeld Village Hall agreed to display some of the portraits to coincide with Armistice Day in November.”
David grew up in Keswick and lots of the family names he came across were familiar to him including Hodgson, Barnes, Postlethwaite, Stuart, Bell and many others.
“Most of the streets and places where the families lived are well known to me, which has meant that the project is tinged with a degree of sadness and reflection,” he said.
The exhibition comprises more than 20 portraits each with biographical information.
“One of the aims of the project is to contribute to the social and collective memory of lives that were lost and ensure that they are not forgotten,” he added. “The project is ongoing and will continue into the foreseeable future.”
David spent the first 10 years of his life in Thirlmere before moving to Keswick. After leaving school he moved to Manchester to train as a teacher of chemistry and PE.
For a number of years David was heavily involved in coaching rugby teams at both school and representative level. After several years of teaching in secondary schools David decided on a career change and left teaching to train as an occupational psychologist.
He worked as a consultant for a couple of years before moving into the Higher Education sector. David worked at Sheffield Hallam University before spending over 20 years at Huddersfield University where he became head of behavioural sciences.
Running alongside his work life David has had a lifelong passion for rugby and art. As a youngster he played for Keswick before spending a number of years playing for Sedgley Park in Manchester.
It was not until he retired that David has had the opportunity to indulge his interest in art, and he has been able to develop his ideas in drawing and painting. As well as The Keswick Lads project David is working on a series of abstract landscapes.
Any information, such as photographs or biographical details would be gratefully received by David who can be contacted at: [email protected].
