AN Echoes of Erie Camp event, organised by the Headley Down Nature Reserve Trust, has been branded a success.

Woodlands Hall, on the Heatherlands Estate, was packed with residents past and present last Saturday who gathered to spend an afternoon viewing the collection of historic photographs while sharing memories, tea and cake.

It was a chance for new residents and younger generations to find out about the days of the Canadian Second World War detention camp, before Heatherlands was built, and what life was like living in the huts, the Canadians had left behind, during the 1950s and 1960s.

The event was part of a history project being carried out by the Headley Down Nature Reserve Trust, sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The old photographs and oral history research will be used to produce illustrated information boards on the nature reserve and portable roll-up panels for schools and local events.

Michael Spear, who lived in the huts on the old Erie Estate throughout the 1950s, travelled from Devon for the event. “It’s been lovely to see so many old friends and all the photos to remind us of the good times we had there,” he said.

Norma Duke, now living in Alton, added: “It’s been fabulous. I’ve been meeting people who I haven’t seen for years.’

Kenny Sharman remembered the Canadians at Erie Camp and said: “Words are difficult to find to express my feelings - it was thoroughly enjoyable and this was proven by no one hurrying to leave.”

For Babs Thomas, it seemed as if “the spirit of the Erie Estate lives on”. Chairman Angela Jackson was delighted at the level of support for the project. “It’s great that this combination of community activity and history is so popular and that local people are happy with the work we’re doing to transform a former rubbish tip into a nature reserve,” she said.

Next year the trust will be organising an inauguration celebration with invitations being extended to include the modern day descendants of the Royal Canadian Engineers who built the Erie Camp.