Oral History
 

Oral History was the project thread which interviewed people connected with Coggeshall and the Grange Barn (such as those who worked in it or were involved in its rescue from dereliction or its rebuilding) and recorded their memories for storage in the National Sound Archive.

A small group of the Friends of Coggeshall Grange Barn attended a National Trust training course in Oral History.  There they learned about the origins of oral history gathering, how to approach subjects and prepare them for interview, professional interviewing techniques and how to select suitable recording equipment.  The group purchased a broadcast quality microphone and digital recorder, practised its new skills and prepared a list of interviewees.

The photograph shows Friends member and NT volunteer Tricia MacKay collecting memories of Coggeshall from long-term resident and Parish Councillor Stan Haines.

We would still like to hear from people with interesting memories, photos and stories of the Barn and Coggeshall in times past. If you would like to contribute to the oral history collection, please contact Sarah Barfoot, NT Community Learning Officer, by e-mail or by telephone on 07917 556414.

Photograph © Brian Smith 2007