I was a child during a war Bomb shelters and sirens Go to bed ready dressed And mum took me to the Anderson shelter Go to sleep my baby Close your tender eyes. Lullaby singing. Born 1934 I was five when it started Wasn’t time for laughing Dad worked in the steel Mum in munitions Wasn’t much time for Stories and sitting on laps. Jesus friend of little children Dear friend to me. Wondering after the next bomb Sirens call gives you a funny feel Is your house still standing Or not? Underground Someone played the accordion Baby, how I wish I was Up above the bright blue sky. Anon

A Necklace of Stars, working with older people in Derbyshire, is supported by Arts Council England, Arts Derbyshire, DCC Public Health and Derbyshire County Council Home Library Service. This project is particularly aimed at countering isolation; during the pandemic we’ve been working using distance methods – phone conversations and post.