Lost Letters is a community heritage project from It’s Not Your Birthday But... (INYBB) which engages people across Surrey with their local history through a partnership with Surrey History Centre and the rich archives they hold. It highlights the universality of our experiences as residents of Surrey by bringing to life the lives and experiences of our predecessors and asks for creatives responses from current residents and those who live further afield. Most people can relate to some of the common experiences and phases of life - childhood, school, love, parents, friends, work, home, holidays, loss, celebrations - and this project shares them through the medium of letters, bringing to life some personal heritage of the people of Surrey and illustrating its importance, value and relevance for people living in Surrey today.

The project has created a range of creative resources that are free to use and that can inspire individuals, groups and communities to engage with heritage through the lens of their own creativity. We are grateful for the contributions of Surrey History Centre, the artists, writers and staff of our community partners, our volunteers and all who participated in our online challenges.

The Lost Letters Team

  • Alex

    VISUAL ARTIST & HISTORIAN

    Alex’s favourite piece of heritage from the project was looking at The Philanthropic Farm School records from the early twentieth century. It was so moving to read about the boys at the school, and to see some of the letters that had been sent to them. Many of the boys emigrated to Canada after turning 18. One of the records for a boy called Benjamin brought to life the huge decision that these young men were making, weighing up whether or not to cross an ocean and try their luck in Canada, without knowing if they would ever see their families again.

  • JB

    ARTIST

    Contributing several pieces of artwork to the project allowed JB to delve deeper into the archives via our inspiration packs. Take a look at the Vera Daws inspiration pack to see JB’s poster, inspired by propaganda posters and persuasive language used during WW2.

  • Nadine

    VISUAL ARTIST & FACILITATOR

  • Nicole

    VISUAL ARTIST & FACILITATOR

    Nicole’s favourite discovery during the Lost Letters project was reading the letters between Vera Daws and her friends and family, having been evacuated from Surrey to York. Speaking of every day things such as movie stars and shopping to the serious worries of doodlebugs and sirens, this collection of letters allows us into the world of an ordinary teenage girl going through a not so ordinary experience.

  • Polly

    ADMINISTRATOR & ORGANISER

    Passionate about history and preserving our heritage, Polly has found it fascinating to see the world from the personal perspectives of so many different people through the archives.

  • Sarah

    VISUAL ARTIST & FACILITATOR

    With an MA in Inclusive Arts Practice, Sarah is passionate about creating spaces for connection and believes creative encounters can change the way we see the world and each other.

    Sarah loved discovering more about King Alphonso XIII of Spain who funded an elaborate unofficial missing persons bureau in the Palace of Madrid during World War 1, receiving half a million letters from all over Europe from people seeking to find lost loved ones. Contacted by Nellie Dabbs in the search for her missing fiance, hers, along with every other single letter, was answered!

  • Tom

    WRITER, HISTORIAN & FACILITATOR

    Specialising in documentary poetry from primary sources and a wider more general use of found material.

    Tom’s favourite discovery during the project was to learn about the European War Office via the correspondence between a young woman, Nellie Dabbs, searching for her missing fiancé and the King of Spain Alfonso XIII.

Lost Letters Project Partners and Funders