5 in 5 - August 2017 - Stories and steam trains

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of

each month I post 5 photos that I have

taken in 5 minutes.

Last month I wrote about a visit to Stourport on Trent and while we were there we discovered lots of things to see and do. Our visit coincided with a local steam railway 1940's reinactment, and the stations along the line stepped back in time.

Who doesn't like a ride on a steam train, especially when each station had a different event going on! My husband and son were willing travellers and so we turned up at the station to buy our tickets, with freedom to travel on the line all day.

On the train I set my timer for 5 minutes and started to take photos....

A lady got on and asked if she could share our seat so I took the opportunity to ask for a photo before she sat down. We soon got into conversation...

I learnt that 'Val' and her husband were enthusiastic role players and that their costumes and characters are well researched and modelled on family members. She said it was really important to be as authentic as possible, in respect of those who lived through the war years, and Val asked if I could like to see what was inside her handbag. It reminded me of my Nan's, with it's metal clasp and hinged opening. Val pulled out a beautiful vintage compact case, hand stitched 'To my dear sweetheart'. She told me she had bought it at a boot fair for 25p!  

Next Val pulled out a newspaper cutting, given to her by her elderly neighbour. Val told the story of how her neighbour had been a been a young woman when war broke out, and she had signed up with a friend. They became especially close during their training but her friend was chosen for a special task and they never saw or heard from each other again.

After the war her neighbour learnt that her friend had been trained as a spy and she had worked undercover in France. Sadly, while being pursued, she injured her ankle in a fall and was captured and taken to Ravensbruck Camp where she was later executed by the Germans. She become a national hero and her name has gone down in history. 

I discretely switched  off the 5 minute alert when it sounded, so that it didn't interrupt our conversation. I hadn't expected this chance encounter when I set the timer and on this occasion I decided to disregard it.

At the end of our day we looked back on all the things we had seen and done, and all agreed that this encounter on the train stood out the most. I took lots of photos during the day and others qualified for 5in5. But I have decided to use these, because what's a minute or two between friends, when there is a story that needs telling. And I expect there are many more stories to be told, tucked in drawers and peoples memories. I hope that these too will be shared and passed on, so that they are remembered for years to come. 

Thank you for popping by and if you fancy picking up your camera to join in with '5in5' it would be lovely to have your company!

   

Here's what you do and there are more details here. 

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a timer for 5 minutes (I use my mobile phone).

4.  Take as many photos you can (or wish to) until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool below.

                              You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos.

Please add your link below if you would like to take part.