UK
Kendal Oral History Group was founded in 1987. We are a small group of volunteers who interview people who have lived at least part of their lives in Kendal and the surrounding villages. We aim to cover all aspects of life in the area – both past and present. Our archive includes recordings with people born between the 1880s and the 1980s.
As at September 2024 we have over 460 audio interviews in the archive, almost all of which are transcribed and summarised. Most are fully indexed by place and by subject. An up-to-date version of the index can be found on our website.
Some years ago we completed a project on the flood of December 2015 which affected Kendal particularly badly. This consists of 51 audio interviews with people affected by the flood and with volunteers helping on the night of the flood and in the months that followed.
Our archive is available for members of the public to use in Kendal Local Studies Library, Kendal. Security copies of all materials are deposited with Cumbria Archives.
The group gives presentations using material from the archive to a range of local groups. We also hold annual gatherings to which the respondents and their guests are invited.