Were you the pea in the pod? Do you remember posing for a picture dressed in the full finery of an archer? If so Rochford District Council wants to hear from you.
As part of the celebrations for the 200th birthday of the Rayleigh Windmill, Rochford District Council is asking “Where Are They Now?”
Having dug through the files, local archivists at Rayleigh Through the Looking Glass have discovered a picture, taken in around 1963 at the Rayleigh Love Lane School (now Rayleigh Primary School) annual school fete. The homes in the background are on Love Lane and the fete is being held at Spring Gardens.
If you are in the picture then we want to hear from you, what was the event? Did you enjoy yourself? And most importantly, what are your memories of the area at the time?
It’s all part of a special project recording the oral histories of Rayleigh to create an archive of people’s memories preserved in audio format for future generations. The project, which has been funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, has already recorded several memories of what it was like growing up and living in Rayleigh throughout the 20th Century.
It’s simple to record your oral history of Rayleigh – sessions with trained interviewers are now being arranged and can take place in the comfort of your own home. Questions are available in advance to help jog people’s memories. To book an interview on Friday 12 February at the Windmill or to arrange for interviewers to visit your home, call Roxie Curry, Arts Development Officer, on 01702 318171 or roxie.curry@rochford.gov.uk
Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Tourism, Heritage, the Arts, Culture and Business, Councillor Keith Gordon, said: “This picture is a fascinating snapshot of happy memories of a school fete in Rayleigh. It’s these sorts of snapshots that the oral history project is trying to capture. So if you are the milkmaid in the photograph, or if you see yourself standing by the flag or even if the houses in the background spark memories of where you grew up, then we’d love to hear from you.”
