Interview with Wendy Lonsdale (second interview) 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).

Wendy Lonsdale shares memories of her early years during WWII. Born in 1941 above her family's antique shop in Portmadoc, Wendy recalls her mother’s fear of a German invasion, prompting her to store valuables in the cellar. Her father, initially in the Home Guard, later joined the Royal Corps of Signals, and Wendy visited him in Scarborough during his service. Dutch commandos once purchased knives from the shop for their deployment. Wendy’s family moved to live above the shop, allowing evacuees to use their home. Her mother kept the antique business open until the 1950s.