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About The Archive

Most interviews were carried out by Ann Heeley, a local historian and Friend of the Somerset Rural Life Museum.  Other recordings have been donated by individuals and local history groups.

 

They cover all parts of Somerset and are particularly strong for the Somerset Levels and Glastonbury area.

 

In 2005 Somerset Heritage Service received a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to preserve the archive and greatly improve access by:

 

  • Conserving the recordings through creating digital copies on CD

  • Making all recordings available at the Somerset Rural Life Museum and Somerset Record Office

  • Creating full transcripts, available at the Somerset Rural Life Museum, Somerset Record Office and five libraries

  • Creating this website about the archive

  • Creating an online catalogue with details about each recording

  • Producing a Second World War resource pack for primary schools

  • Creating a travelling exhibition about the archive

 

The project was carried out in partnership with the Friends of the Somerset Rural Life Museum, who provided voluntary support and funding.

 

We hope the archive will be used by a wide range of people interested in finding out more about Somerset life.

 

Oral history recording at Brompton Regis Carriage Works, 1986.
Oral history recording at Brompton Regis Carriage Works, 1986.