East Midlands Oral History Archive
Natural world
In the natural word theme, we have the following collections:
Gibraltar Point Collection
Four interviews and one recording of a teacher training day that look at the lives of people who live near Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve and the wildlife and vegetation there.
Natural Heroes Collection
This oral history collection comprises 36 interviews from 2007-2008 looking at Leicestershire's natural history collectors. There is also a recording of celebrated local naturalist Jack Otter (d. 2003) from the 1980s which was donated to the collection by friends. The interviewees vary from photographers and sound recorders through experts on animals and plants, to farmers trying to conserve natural history on their farms, to people who have been instrumental in organising societies and associations. Subjects covered were family, education, career, associates, natural history, achievements, and archives.
Sands of Time Collection
Comprises 22 interviews, 1 personal recording, 1 Correspondence and 4 Documents of residents and visitors to the region of Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve. Interviews were recorded by Joan Barr in 2000. Interviewees discuss the history of the nature reserve and their hopes for the continued conservation of the region.
Story of Parks Collection
Thirty nine interviews recorded as part of the Story of Parks Heritage Lottery Funded Project coordinated by Leicester City Council, running from 2015 to 2018. Oral history testimonies were taken between June 2015 and February 2017 and explore the significance of Leicester’s parks and green spaces to local residents.
Phil Rudkin's wildlife recording collection has yet to be catalogued.