Maldon Oral History
Memories of Maldon - a unique oral history collection
Glimpses into the lives of Maldon residents over the last 70+ years
To capture the memories of Maldon residents for the benefit of future generations, the Maldon Society has established an oral history archive, ‘Memories of Maldon'.
Two members of the Maldon Society have been recording the memories and stories of local men and women who have lived all, or most of, their lives in Maldon. This is a wonderful compilation of recollections spanning the years from the 1930s onwards.
Subjects covered include barges, fishing in the Blackwater, local industries, home life, the High Street, jobs, and war time. There are stories about boat building and sail making, childhoods with freedom to roam all day, wartime events, learning to swim in the Promenade lake and much more. The recordings from our Oral History archive demonstrate the wide variety of remarkable people in Maldon who we have had the privilege of recording.
You can listen to the full recordings on this website or visit our Listening Station at the Maeldune Heritage Centre where you can hear brief extracts from a selection of recordings. The Centre is at the top of Market Hill in Maldon - CM9 4PZ.
Latest recordings
Jarvis, Marion
Marion describes not only her childhood activities in Maldon but also clearly remembers being attacked in primary school by German bullets hitting her desk. From her teenage years she describes the launch of her fathers boat on the quay for his fishing club, becoming a carnival queen, and in particular her teenage football adventures. The team she helped found played at Wembley and Manchester United as well as more locally.
These nine extracts from our Oral History archive demonstrate the wide variety
of remarkable people in Maldon who we have had the privilege of recording.
Their stories are quite varied but are all based on their early lives in this superb town.
Barges to Cows
Marie Keeble talks about the families move from work on the water to dairy farming at Wintersleet farm.
Cycling for the train!
Molly Polden recalls the train waiting for her when getting her first job on the trains in Witham
Starting out in Maldon
Anne Jenkins talks about the start of her career teaching in Maldon
Cherry Gardens and Beeleigh Abbey tunnels
Andrew East talks about the Cherry Gardens area in Maldon in the 1950's, and Beeleigh Abbey tunnels
How do you become a 'knot lady'?
Sarah Ford explains how it all began...
What do they paint sails with?
John Raven expalins the process of dressing sails
Copsey's Fish & Chips
In 1956 Copsey's started in North Street in Maldon, before moving to Heybridge.
Rail outing to Walton
Graham Smith recalls a journey from Maldon East Station to Walton
Wintering Bees
Jean Smye explains what happens to Bees in Winter
About the Maldon Society
Founded in 1957, the Maldon Society aims to promote and preserve the historical heritage of this town and its surrounding area by encouraging civic pride in the area and promoting co-operation with other organisations.
Protecting our heritage
The Society seeks to protect that heritage from unnecessary or harmful change, for example by keeping an eye on planning applications, particularly in the conservation areas, and by participating in local area reviews.
Sharing our history
We also share Maldon's history through oral history recordings and an image archive of photographs, videos and illustrations at the Maeldune Heritage Centre.
Copyright
Please be aware that the Maldon Society owns the copyright of all these recordings, except where stated on the recording. Copying or use of any part is not permitted, for enquiries please contact: maldonsociety@aol.com