Voices from the Forest
This project brought to life the memories and stories of work in the Forest. The project team collected oral histories from Foresters, and those who came and went from the Forest, to add to our collective knowledge of our heritage, with a focus on the work linked to the landscape and traditions of the Forest.
These oral histories have been recorded, capturing the essence of what it was like to live and work in the Forest settlements and industries through the last century.
What has the project delivered?
Through published podcasts, face to face discussion, seminars, talks, radio interviews and working with local archives the project has made oral histories more widely available, and encourage their use in understanding the past and present experience of life and work in the Forest.
This work was led by academics from the University of Gloucestershire, under the direction of Dr Jason Griffiths, and residents in the Forest community.
Main achievements:
- Exploring how oral history can help people learn informally through clubs and community groups and through school subjects such as English, History, Drama, and PSHE
- Project work has been published on the specially created Voices from the Forest website, prompting further interest and research from scholars.
- Participation in events, making opportunities for engagement, education and raising the profile of Voices from the Forest
- Produce a talking book of oral histories.
What can I get involved in?
Voices from the Forest occasionally look for volunteers to help with recording, logging, archiving and promoting the oral histories. Contact volunteer co-ordinator Deb Cook: email volunteer@fvaf.org or telephone 01594 822073