The Branscombe Project

Parishscapes Oral History Interviews

The Parishscapes Project (2006-2010) oral history interviews can now be consulted at the Devon Heritage Centre (DHC). The project was run by the East Devon Area of Natural Beauty (now East Devon National Landscape). The original mini digital video cassette tapes were deposited with the DHC at the end of the project but at the time this was not a format the DHC could play.

The 33 video interviews are centred on occupations and life stories which enhance our under-standing of the East Devon Landscape. Many of the interviewees have sadly passed away, but their contributions to our collective memory will live after them. Each interview lasts between 30-60 minutes. Some of the interviews were conducted out in the landscape.

If you wish to find out about the cutting down of the hardwoods on West Hill after World War II; hedge laying at Northleigh; the gypsy communities who lived on Farway; the Beer lime industry; the Ottery St Mary brickworks; the Colyton oak tannery; the last Budleigh fisherman; farming; traditional boat building; trades and skills, and many other aspects of the East Devon landscape, then book a visit to the Devon Heritage Centre.

How to access the interviews:

You will need to book a visit to the Devon Heritage Centre: https://swheritage.org.uk/devon-archives/. First, find the interview/s you are looking for on the online catalogue and note the references. Return to the home page and book a visit to the DHC. You will be asked which interviews (up to 4), you wish to consult.

The conditions of use for the videos are similar to those for original documents.