NEWSLETTER 4th NOV 2019
Forthcoming talk on Friday 15th November. We are privileged to welcome back Helen Lloyd, a pioneer advocate of Oral History studies, who inspired our Group with a presentation almost 2 decades ago. She is a Regional Representative of the Oral History Society and a Trustee of the Charles Parker Archive of oral history and folk music recordings. She has always emphasised the importance of capturing the experiences of “ordinary” people, who otherwise go unrecorded and unappreciated. Her talk is titled Oral History: extraordinary lives of ordinary people. The Group has a small collection of recordings made over the years, and we look forward to hearing about how much potential historic value can be found in the unique experiences of every person, and how best to unlock this resource.
[Note the WWII Oral Histories project at the bottom of page 2]
Report on Friday 18th October talk on Constabulary Tales: my early years in the police by Alan Benjamin. Alan regaled us with hilarious tales of his experiences as a young police officer in south Warwickshire in the late 20th century. Starting with his schooling (his description of smoke-filled staff rooms was recognised by at least a few of our members), and describing his choice of career, he took us through his extraordinary interview. The medicals were undertaken naked, en masse, with military efficiency, in full view of the top deck of passing buses, and under the control of a repetitive sergeant. I will never regard glass milk bottles in the same way….. He gained one of the 12 places out of the 311 applicants. At the end of his military-style training, apparently communicated entirely by shouting, the passing-out parade consisted of synchronised traffic-signalling, to music! He regarded this as too embarrassing to allow his father even to know that there was a parade.
Once on the job Alan was clearly spotted early on as good material as he was taken under the wing of an experienced officer, and so avoided summary dismissal at the end of his 2 year probationary period, a fate which befell one of his colleagues not blessed by such patronage.
On the beat he seems to have found ways to liven up boring night shifts. One device was to play cat-and-mouse around Redditch with a fellow panda car patrol, in the course of which, on one occasion, he chased and apprehended a pair of safe crackers by accident, thinking that their car was his fellow officer’s. He felt his subsequent commendation was possibly unearned. On another occasion he drew his truncheon and bravely confronted a sinister noise coming from a narrow, darkened passage, only to discover a cat. We did learn the Correct Use of the Truncheon however.
His reminiscences seemed to recall a more innocent time, although he did spend time escorting prisoners to court, and was a Scene Of Crime Officer, neither of which sound very light hearted occupations. He acknowledged that he deliberately glossed over his more gruelling experiences. On retirement he indulged his musical and folk dancing passions, and he plays folk music with one of our previous speakers, Richard Churchley, as well being a member of a Morris team. His talent for entertainment meant that we were treated to one of the funniest and most engaging evenings K&DLHG has experienced. Bob Briggs led a well-deserved vote of thanks.
Other Events
Southam Heritage Collection’s 2019 Christmas Exhibition at Southam. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10.00 – 12.00. Ends Christmas Eve. Free
Tuesday 5th November. Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society From the Romans to Repton, holloways to hillforts: the archaeology of the National Trust, by Janine Young at Warwick Market Hall Museum. 7.00pm
Monday 11th November. Warwick Market Hall Museum. Europe After WWI, Simon Jarman OBE 6.00-800pm . Tkts £7.50 bookable online from the Museum webpage: http://heritage.warwickshire.gov.uk/museum-service
Thursday 14th November. Banbury Historical Society, People, Time, Pace: the archaeology of HS2 by Dr Helen J Wass, 7.30pm Marlborough Road Methodist Church, Banbury.
Tuesday 19th November. Warwickshire Local History Society Madness in Warwickshire by Dr John Bland. 7.30pm Aylesford School and VI Form College, Tapper Way, Warwick CV34 6XR
World War 2 Oral Histories. A website founded by broadcaster and historian, Dan Snow, and author and broadcaster, James Holland, WarGen (http://wargen.org) is a crowd-sourced online repository of oral-history from the people who lived through World War 2. As well as containing varied stories from this fast disappearing generation, this group is now looking for individuals to join their volunteer team as interviewers in their local communities. They are also eager to hear from people who might have their own stories to tell. If you are interested in either becoming an interviewer or sharing your story, please contact Shane Greer at shane@wargen.org
KDLHG Committee Matters. There have been no committee meetings since the October Newsletter
Next committee meeting. The next meeting of the committee will be on 18th November at 7.30, at Catherine Petrie’s home.
DF 04.11.19