Worcestershire Sound Archive

What is the Worcestershire Sound Archive?

The County Record Office launched the Worcestershire Sound Archive in July 2003. It is a unique project with the central aim of giving the public access to the thousands of oral records that survive in Worcestershire. We aim to:

• Track down all old recordings
• Provide the public with information on and access to the recordings
• Move the recordings to a purpose-built archive
• Provide facilities to listen to the recordings
• Find ways of using our oral history in the community
• Support and train new or on-going projects.

What stage is the project at?

We’ve discovered a wealth of oral history in Worcestershire – over 1200 recordings so far. Many of these are in recognised collections held by Worcestershire’s libraries or museums. Others are the work of a few motivated people in parishes or historical societies around the County. We’ve also heard from individuals who’ve found old recordings of parents and grandparents in the attic. All are valuable to the new Worcestershire Sound Archive.

We’re also very encouraged by the discovery of at least 9 oral history projects which have either just started, or are just about to start. We hope to be able to support these projects, and to ensure that any new recordings will also be available to the Worcestershire Sound Archive.

Creating a Catalogue and Directory

Our final aim is to bring all the recordings under one roof, and create an electronic catalogue, so that anyone using the Internet can find the interview they want. This of course won’t happen overnight. We are currently looking into how we will fund the project.

We think many of the recordings are of tremendous value and should be in the public eye as soon as possible. While awaiting the outcome of our grant applications, we have created a ‘Directory of Recordings’, effectively a list of the main collections and where they are held.

Widening the Sound Archive project

As part of our commitment to widening access to archive material, we are also looking at ways of using recordings in schools and colleges, and in memory recall projects with the elderly. Examples of our programme include:

• Workshops for youngsters combining oral history and storytelling
• An Oral History competition in partnership with BBC Hereford and Worcester
• Developing the Record Office website
• Increasing access to existing recordings via the History Centre Juke Box  
• Displays and exhibitions of Oral history
• Training days with groups on collecting and using/displaying oral history

How you can help the Sound Archive

Do you know anyone who has made recordings in the past? In order to build up an accurate picture of the extent and scope of oral records in Worcestershire, we need to track down as many old tapes as possible. If you know of any, please get in touch with the Record Office. We’re interested in one-off recordings, as well as collections of interviews, and local oral history projects.