Elderly people are being encouraged to remember the past as part of a new project.

Teachers in adult and community education, social and healthcare professionals and cultural services workers are all to attend a special event in Thame on May 21, to learn about the growing trend of stimulating creativity through reminiscence.

Volunteers, carers and others interested in working with older people will also find the event, at Thame Town Hall from 10am to 3pm, of interest.

The event has been organised under the Access to Oxfordshire Project, managed by the Oxfordshire Museums Council and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, and district councils.

The event will include the launch of a new CD of traditional Oxfordshire songs, produced by Tim Healey, and a manual for creative reminiscence work by Linda Sargent.

The council's museums and heritage officer, Martyn Brown, said: "There's an old saying that reminiscence is not what it used to be. I'd disagree with that.

"It's the perfect way to tap into the creative parts of people's personalities by rekindling memories of days gone by.

"We've all had that feeling of pleasure at rediscovering something, such as a piece of music, that we've long forgotten about.

"That then opens up other memories of a particular point in time either from a personal or more general point of view.

"I look forward to this method of working with older people developing in Oxfordshire and to seeing a large gathering of people at Thame on May 21 to learn more."