Coastal Communities Oral History Project
Under the guidance of Oral History expert Rib Davis, this project brought together 42 stories from residents on the Marsh thanks to amazing group of volunteer interviewers. Telling their stories and tales of why they came here, if originally from outside the area; and why the Romney Marsh is so special to them.
Resulting from the considerable efforts from a small group of volunteers, the recordings of interviews were turned into stories and printed in a new book ‘Life on the Fifth Continent’. An audio version of the stories also formed part of the publication in the form of an accompanying CD
Highlights and Legacy: Achieving community engagement and interviews during the pandemic. A lasting legacy with ‘Life on the Fifth Continent’ in book form and audio and downloadable on our Resources tab
Coastal Communities Oral History Project contributes to Rediscover project theme.
There will be opportunities for people to be trained in interviewing techniques as well as editing. We will be looking to the community to help capture the memories of their family, friends and neighbours.
The New Coastal Communities project is looking for local people who would like to be involved in capturing memories and experiences about life on the Marsh and how the tourism industry grew over the last century. If you would like to be part of this exciting project and are interested in either being interviewed or becoming an interviewer please contact rib.davis@kentwildlife.org.uk for further information.
Visit the volunteering page to find out more about getting involved with Fifth Continent projects.
2020
THE MARSH MOSAICS: FUNDING SUCCESS!
Arts Council England has awarded a grant of £15,000 towards this project. This is the first ever Arts Council England award for Kent Wildlife Trust.
Tourism Past & Present
E & J Piper Caravan Park have offered to host a few interviews with their staff and their regular holiday makers to the site. We hope this will show the change across the years in tourism on the marsh.
Call for photos for the Oral History Project booklet
Producing the Oral History booklet requires a large number of historic photographs to help bring alive the interviews. We are therefore asking for your help in sourcing photos that you may already hold. We are willing to pay to digitalise the treasured memories and then return the originals (along with a copy of the digital file).
Booklet research & design begins
We are now summarising the current log of interviews to be able to use this research in the creation of the booklet. In the booklet the chapters and layout are still yet to be decided, so there is lots to get involved in.
2019
Call for volunteers!
We are now looking for volunteers to participate in the design and production of the Oral History booklet. Please get in contact with Craig. Jobs to include research, layout design, planning and distribution
Interviews halfway there!
Second talk to the Lydd CARM group took place in June. Members got to listen to their interviews and those of other prominent figures in the local community. These interviews have helped us to reach beyond halfway towards our target of 50 interviews, without any sign of slowing!
Coastal Lives talk
Our oral historian gave a talk to members of the Lydd CARM group about the Coastal Lives project, which was very well received with people expressing an interest to be interviewed.
2018
Interviewers out and about
The interviewers are out and about capturing memories of life on the Marsh. If you have childhood memories about holidaying on the Marsh or want to share with us your experiences about life in the coastal communities please get in touch.
Interviewers trained
Eight volunteers attended the training and are now preparing to start interviewing local people. If you have childhood memories about holidaying on the Marsh or want to share with us your experiences about life in the coastal communities please get in touch.
Training – Collecting Oral History
A 1-day training session on collecting oral history is taking place twice in late May. See What’s On page for details.
Presentation – 100 Years of Tourism
16 May – Presentation by Christine Waterman looking into the history of how the Marsh became a popular holiday destination. See What’s On for more details.
Training in collecting oral history
A 1-day training in collecting oral history is being prepared, with the event being organised to take place twice in late May. See What’s On page for details.
Research has started
Research into the origins of the Caravan Parks and Coastal communities is currently being carried out, prior to interviews getting started.
Update Feb 2018:
Research into the origins of the Caravan Parks and Coastal communities is currently being carried out, prior to interviews getting started.
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To find out more including how to get involved contact the project team.
