Interview with Joan Barnes by Vicky Macdonald

Description

Short interview conducted by Vicky MaCdonald during the ‘Longest Yarn’ with visitors that shared personal memories and family stories in reaction to the exhibition. The Longest Yarn exhibition was a month-long tribute to the War Effort behind the D-Day Landings of 1944 - displaying a 3D tapestry depicting D-Day in 80 panels – was held at the Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno (October 2–27, 2024).

In this interview, Joan Barnes shares memories of her childhood during World War II. Living in a mining village, her father didn’t serve in the war, though her uncle did. Joan recalls rationing, eating raw carrots as a treat, and using gas masks, including her brother’s Mickey Mouse-themed one. She describes an aircraft dropping a bomb near the village and the need to black out windows, with wardens enforcing the rule. Despite the hardships, the war fostered a strong community spirit, as neighbors came together in air raid shelters and supported one another through challenging times.