Making Connections

 

‘Making Connections’ is an intergenerational oral history project run by Wycombe Museum and funded through ‘Wycombe One Community’.

 

There is a management committee for the project on which John Bajina and Rafiq Raja of MPA sit. The aim of the project has been to bring together young people aged 14-19 with older residents of Wycombe, to record oral memories. The recorded memories will be acquired into the Museum’s collection for current and future generations to use. Excerpts from some of the recordings will also be available on new Museum web pages. These pages will launch at the end of October 2010 and will be added to over the coming months, as the number of recordings increase.

 

The Museum does not have very much in its collection that reflects the diversity of culture in Wycombe today. We hope that ‘Making Connections’ will help us to collect stories and objects of residents who have moved here since the 1960s. The project has started by specifically working with Asian and African-Caribbean residents, though as it develops we hope to work with many other residents too.

 

Eighteen young people are currently involved in ‘Making Connections’, they gave their time freely over their summer holidays to attend some training on Oral History recording. Many have already started to record interviews. The young people are also involved in the selection of the excerpts for the web pages and transcribing the interviews. This part of the process is particularly time consuming and requires a great deal of concentration. We have been very impressed by the students involved in the project, who have all shown enthusiasm, commitment and an understanding of what we are trying to achieve.

 

Can You Help Us?
We are looking for people for the young interviewers to record. Interviews last about 30 minutes and can take place here at the Museum or at a mutually agreeable venue. Many people feel that they have nothing interesting to tell, however our experience is that everyone has something that will interest others. We are looking for memories that will tell what it was like to settle in Wycombe, as well as memories that say something about everyday life – going to school, leisure and sport activities, raising a family, practising religion or work life. These memories can be from anytime and may be about raising a family in Wycombe today or moving here 50 years ago, all contributions are welcome.

 

Launch Evening – 28 October 2010 6.30-9pm at Wycombe Museum
We are holding a launch evening for ‘Making Connections’ on 28 October. At the evening there will be an opportunity to hear some of the recordings that have already been made, many of the participants and people interviewed will also be there. If you are interested in supporting the work this would be an ideal opportunity to come along and find out some more about it and perhaps put your name forward to be interviewed. The Museum will be open for you to have a look around and refreshments provided.

 

To find out more or to let us know you can attend the launch evening please contact
Zara Luxford at Wycombe Museum on 01494 421895 or zara_luxford@wycombe.gov.uk

 

 

Back to News & Articles