Copy of 'The Spirit of Christmas Past'

On 7 December 1988 a serious earthquake hit Armenia. The cold war was coming to an end and this was the first time the Soviet Union asked for western aid since the end of the Second World War. As part of the rescue package a team of Lancashire Fire Fighters went to Spitak for two weeks to support the rescue mission. On returning to the UK from the rescue mission over the Christmas period there was an exhibition held to raise money for those affected by the earthquake. This written reflection formed part of the exhibition. Some of it was published in local newspapers (Lancashire). The writer (Colin Cunliffe, Station Commander) did not want to be interviewed, for this project, due to the traumatic nature of the experience but was photographed as part of the project. The link with Colin was made when as part of Zara’s research at Manchester Central Library she came across an advert for the exhibition, as a result she reached out to Lancashire Fire Service and was put in touch with Colin. For photograph of Colin from the Aratta exhibition see GB3228.87/5/1.