Audio archive tells personal stories of rural life

Interview recordings that capture personal stories and pivotal moments in Exmoor's history have been published for the first time.

The audio was recorded between 2000 and 2002 by archivist Birdie Johnson, to capture life at the national park.

The recordings are now available to listen to on the South West Heritage Trust's website and cover topics ranging from farming and mole catching to the Lynmouth flood in 1952 and the formation of the new National Park Authority.

Ms Johnson, who is from Exmoor, said: "As my father got older, we would sit at the table talking about his life. I used to say 'I must record you'. Then he died and I never had. That's how I got interested in oral history."

The Exmoor Oral History Archive features 78 interviews, totalling more than 200 hours, and covers both the North Devon and West Somerset sides of the national park.

The recordings include memories stretching back to before World War One, offering insights into local life and work, which for many began when they were 14.

There are also stories about how women used to do their laundry in iron furnaces over the fire and gave birth at home.

The audio comes with black and white portraits of the interviewees by taken by photographer Mark J Rattenbury.

"It's not just a personal vanity thing, it's enormously useful and valuable to researchers and people chasing family connections," Ms Johnson said.

"Those recordings are going to be preserved forevermore and when formats change they will be automatically upgraded. It's a huge thing."

Ms Johnson said that after her father died, she trained to become an oral archivist.

The archive was originally recorded as part of a Dulverton and District Civic Society project to capture for posterity life on Exmoor at the turn of the century.

"It gradually built up. What I thought would be a small project became a really established one, with the Civic Society behind us," she added.

"It was very egalitarian and democratic. Our cart went around all of Exmoor, into post offices and community centres, asking people to suggest people and why.

"It was a labour of love."

South West Heritage Trust archivist Liz Grant added: "The contributors – farmers, doctors, teachers, postmen, local councillors and more – reveal a deep connection to Exmoor, with recollections that highlight strong community ties.

"It's incredibly exciting... to know that the archive will now be safeguarded, not only for future generations but forever."

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