'Overlooked' villages explored in new oral history

Dean Parkin and Naomi Jaffa are leading the new oral history project

Villages in the Waveney Valley that curators said had been “overlooked” will now be explored as part of a new oral history project.

Marshland Histories will be launched on Sunday during a special event held at the Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, near Lowestoft, Suffolk.

The initiative is led by Dean Parkin, a writer who was born in Carlton Colville, Suffolk, and was devised by Poetry People, with the help of the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

The project includes a new podcast series exploring the people, places and surrounding marshlands of villages between Carlton Colville and Worlingham.

The free all-day event takes place on Sunday between 11:00 BST and 16:00, and will include an exhibition and slide show presentations of the project.

Residents who live or grew up in the area have been encouraged to attend the event and share their memories and stories of village life.

The curators hope that content can be gathered at the event from residents and that one-to-one interviews could subsequently be arranged, with a view of the Marshland Histories podcasts being created across the autumn.

Residents celebrating the coronation of 1953 with a street party in Poplar Road, Carlton Colville

Mr Parkin said: “I’m excited to get the chance to shine a spotlight on the village where I grew up and where three generations of my family have lived.

“I'm really looking forward to hearing stories of other people’s childhoods, memories of the shops and pubs, farming across the seasons, and different experiences of the marshes and wildlife.

“If you can bring a photo or object that helps tell your story, please do. If you're not able to come, get in touch and share your story in person, on the phone or online.”

The Worlingham bypass was constructed in the 1980s

Naomi Jaffa, the co-director of People Poetry, said Mr Parkin was "brilliant at telling other people’s stories in beautiful little short films".

"He has a knack of appealing to audiences across the generations and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with to celebrate in Marshland Histories," she added.

Vicky Eyles, the wilder communities officer for the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, said: “We have the opportunity to improve the area for both wildlife and local people alike, facilitating nature connection through a variety of approaches.

“There are deep layers of history within the landscape of the Waveney Valley - the marshes have seen tremendous changes.

“We hope to capture and share some of these stories, engaging locals and visitors to the area.”

Marshland Histories will be launched online and on Facebook, YouTube and the Poetry People website in early 2025.