FROM THE EDITOR: Why nothing is more fascinating than listening to Sheffielders talk about their lives

Nothing is more fascinating than listening to Sheffielders talk about their lives.
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Incredible tales are hidden inside unassuming folk and, armed with a listening ear, you can learn brilliant things.

As a journalist you quickly learn that the people who get in touch to say they have the best story ever, usually don’t.

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It is those who phone up and ask ever so politely if you might be interested in something that could possibly make an article, while apologising for potentially wasting your time, that always have the real gems.

Wartime memories are incredible to hear but we all have a story to tell.Wartime memories are incredible to hear but we all have a story to tell.
Wartime memories are incredible to hear but we all have a story to tell.

We underestimate our own stories and the remarkable things that humans do in their lives.

That is true of everybody if you take time to listen but the memories grow with age, as you would expect.

I never tire of people talking about their experiences during the war. To have somebody bring those days back to life for you is irreplaceable. They won’t be around forever so now is a good time to hear.

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Again, those who saw the most and felt the most pain are still reticent to tell those tales.

Many men took their stories from the frontline to their graves with them.

They never even spoke of those horrific times with their wives.

Opening your heart and talking about issues which impact on mental health wasn’t encouraged then as much as it is now. Perhaps there are also no words sufficient to describe seeing your friends wiped out mercilessly in front of your own young eyes.

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I hope none of us ever get to truly understand that through personal experience. But we do all have our own stories to share of happiness and heartbreak.

I am sure the lockdown of 2020 will feature for many of us as we pass tales down the generations.

Staying at home has given us all more time to reflect and look back at high and lows in our own lifetimes.

If you want to share your stories of life in the armed forces or as part of a Sheffield community then why not get in touch to reach other readers of The Star.

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You can email community news reporter Errol Edwards: [email protected]

And remember, we all have a story to share but we aren’t always sure that other people will want to listen.

Let us be the judge of that, please. Right now, we’re listening.

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