RESIDENTS in a Somerset care home have contributed their wartime memories for a book.

Collating the cherished memories before they are lost forever was the brainchild of Rachel Mundy, registered manager at Highfield Residential Care Home, in Castle Cary.

The idea behind I Remember The War! came to her when she heard a woman talking about skipping over Westminster Bridge, holding hands with her friend and singing Que Sera Sera, during The Blitz.

Rachel said: "The image this created in my mind was quite cinematic.

"Another lady spoke of how her brother slept in his bed whilst the area was bombed and woke up with the concrete from the ceiling on his face the next morning, wondering what on earth had happened.

"These two ladies have sadly passed on, but their stories linger in my memory."

Rachel added: "I realised the value of these individual human experiences and dreamt of creating a book to capture these memories from these incredible human beings.

"We cannot possibly imagine what they experienced with family members away for years at a time, being evacuated and separated from parents, the hardships of rationing and the Great British Resolve with which people survived.

"Our generation should grasp hold tightly onto the values and community spirit of these times."

A couple of years later and purely by coincidence, memoir and ghost writer Mandy Bloom visited the care home with examples of some books of memoirs she had supported people to write and publish.

Rachel said: "We swiftly approached our residents and family members who expressed great interest and immediately started searching for old photos and memorabilia to illustrate.

"The owner of the home, Vijay, was also enthusiastic and suggested that we expand the project to the two other homes which he owns, Eastbury House Residential Care Home in Sherborne, and Ivehurst Nursing Home in Yeovil, as he too could see the importance and gift of this book for everyone and happily agreed the commissioning.

"I would like to pass on my utmost respect and thanks to all those who have participated in making this beautiful book and especially to Mandy for graciously dedicating so much of her time on this project."

*The book is available from Rachel Mundy a Highfield House Residential Care Home - hardback £19.30 and paperback £14.35.