A free colour magazine for people from Wellington and those who are “Wellingtonians at heart” is being unveiled by the newly-formed Wellington History Group.
Wellingtonia will be launched at Wellington Civic Offices on November 19, at 6pm, when Mayor Karen Tomlinson will be present along with members of the group who will explain their aims and how members of the public can help.
“I don’t think there’s ever been anything like this before,” said group chairman, local historian and author Allan Frost.
“The reason that the magazines are free is that we managed to get a grant from Awards For All, and there’s a stipulation that the magazine is free for the first four issues. It will be coming out quarterly.”
Schoolday memories and the years after the Second World War - with PoW camps and refugees from Eastern Europe - are among the features in the first issue. “The magazine is aimed at everyone - those who are at school in Wellington, live in Wellington, or are a Wellingtonian at heart” said Mr Frost.
“We hope it will encourage schools and Wellingtonians, whoever they are and wherever they live, to take a greater interest in the area’s intriguing past.
“We hope they can help us rediscover information that has been lost or forgotten by rummaging in their attics and the backs of drawers to unearth old photos, guides, programmes - in fact, anything that has a Wellington connection.”
It will be available from libraries and some shops, including Wellington News in Crown Street.
“If people want a copy, I strongly suggest they attend the launch as they are bound to fly off the shelves.
” Initial reactions to the magazine have been overwhelmingly favourable, but future success depends on the help we get from the community at large,” he said.
