Love stories? Love history? Then join our oral history training on 16th September to unlock some of Waltham Forests best kept secrets.
Memory is a strange beast – it can be altered, mislead and suppressed. But none of that means it isn’t true in the mind of the individual, or any less fascinating.
These are just some of the things we learnt on our oral history training in August, led by Rib Davis from the Oral History Society. Along with some brilliant anecdotes from his many decades in the world of oral history, he gave us some enormously useful tips on how to conduct interviews, what equipment to use and how to archive so that the stories can be enjoyed by future generations.
If this sounds up your street and are sorry you missed it, then don’t fear. We are running a second training day on 16th September, at The Mill on Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow. Places are free and lunch is provided. If you’re interested then just complete one of our volunteer application forms today.
Our first set of trained volunteers are already out in the field, collecting stories from people with Polish heritage for our project, From Poland to Waltham Forest. We’ve already got a fascinating collection, from a first generation Polish restaurant owner, to the descendent of one of the first Poles who came to the UK.
At the end of the project we hope to have a collection of stories that illustrate, with real stories, the different waves of migration, from the mid 1800s to the present day. I think it will show that there is more to Polish migration that builders and very strong beer.
If you’re interested in getting involved in the project then download the application form now. No previous experience is necessary and its open to anyone over 18 years old.
Photo: Trumull’s Historical Society
