Oral History

The Oral History Group worked on a less formal basis  talking with some of the more senior members of the village who may have lived here since birth or for many years and who have a wealth of knowledge about the village and what it was like in their childhood. 

This was a most fascinating and rewarding avenue of research as shown in the results recorded in the Society’s Newsletters in the following articles:

Extracts from 1950’s  Newsletter 6
More from 1950’s    Newsletter 7

Any residents or former residents of the village who would like to participate in this research would be most welcome. If you are interested in sharing your tales and memories of Parwich please email parwich.history.society@gmail.com

Since this page was first published the Society has published a book Voices: Women of a White Peak Village Compiled and edited by Gillian Radcliffe, which tells of the changing lives of women in the Peak District village of Parwich over the last one hundred years. Told in people’s own words, it grew out of a number of extensive interviews Gill undertook, when preparing a display on domestic life for an exhibition held in 2002.  This mosaic of extracts creates a vivid picture of a community in relation to universal themes, such as the changing seasons, childhood, courtship, wartime, work and old age.  The photographs bring the text alive, and the voices, including those of the children of the village, join together in celebrating a community that thrives despite the threat of rising houses prices and the changing rural economy.  Its production was supported by an Awards for All grant.  For further details refer to the Parwich in Print pages.