Oral History

ORAL HISTORY

For Those who simply enjoy listening.

Below are a selection of local memories from the archive that have been told to us by visitors while attending our public sessions, or which have been transcribed from hand-written letters and documents that have kindly been sent to us.

For those who simply enjoy listening; these memories are now being adapted to audio by our team, and appear with the original author's consent.

If you have memories of your own that you’d like to share, please get in touch using the 'contact us' section of this website.

'First impressions of a Norfolk newcomer'

Photo kindly donated by Chris Chalk

Brian Woods recalls his first schoolboy experiences following his family’s move to Norfolk from the Fens.
Recorded in 2011 by Chris Chalk.

'Memories of a brand new school'

Photo kindly donated by Jim Baldwin

'When the entire school moved-in during April 1958 it was somewhat of a culture shock,
so much room and so many places to hide!' .... Jim Baldwin

'Memories of Oak Street and Wells Road, Fakenham'

Photo kindly donated by Sarah Clowser

Hubert Dunthorne visited us at the archive on many occasions always with a story to tell. This audio transcription of Hubert's written memory, describes Oak Street and Wells Road in Fakenham when a wonderfully thriving business community catered for almost every daily essential.

'Evacuation to Fakenham'

Photo kindly donated by Adam Bunkle

Childhood memories of family life in wartime Fakenham by Mrs. Elizabeth Turner.
Transcribed to audio from Elizabeth’s hand-written letter, dated April 13th 2013.

'A Fakenham Wartime Memory'

Photo kindly donated by Adrian Vertigan

Hubert Dunthorne remembered the night the Salvation Army Temple in Oak Street
was destroyed by an enemy bomb - May 7th 1941.

'Lifetime memories of Fakenham Baker, Harry Moore'

Photo c.1987 kindly donated by Jean Ostler

In 1991, community news columnist Jim Harding interviewed local baker, Harry William Moore.
Mr. Moore was born in Fakenham on January 5th 1908 and shares his lifetime memories in this
questions and answers audio transcription.

This recording has two parts

'Memories of the 2014 Fakenham fire'

Photo kindly donated by Andrew Stewart

'As one of the bell ringers at the parish Church; Sunday May 25th 2014 began as any other Sunday'.
Nigel Westmancott