Keeping Treasured Keepsakes Safe.

Your treasured keepsakes are the icons of your most precious memories.

Usually of little financial value and often received as gifts from loved ones, their loss or damage causes much sadness and distress. A child's first drawing, a grandparent's war time letter home, a picture of a distant relative - all evoke powerful memories.

The sentimental items we choose to keep define us as individuals, a family and as a community. Memories and keepsakes strengthen the social bonds that bind us together. This is especially true at a time like Christmas and New Year.

Please take this opportunity to tell us about your treasured keepsakes, the precious memories they hold for you and how important they are to you. Our aim is to raise the awareness of the importance of our keepsakes and to provide information and develop products to help you store and keep them safe for future generations of your family to enjoy.

As a thank you for your participation, every entry will receive a selection of sheets to 'capture the moment' – these include Christmas, New Year, On That Day and Timeline in PDF format along with a 'Keeping Your Memories Alive' fact sheet.

In addition, every week from October to December 2007, a random entry will be chosen as 'memory of the week' and the author will receive a Family History archive storage box made from acid free materials and a 'day you were born' chart. Further, as the 'memory of the week' author we will donate £25 in your name to research into Alzheimer’s disease.

All entries will be displayed on the Memories and Nostalgia web site with only your initials and town name.