Over 20 people from Bath to Brighton have already come forward to share their memories of helping care for and restore Bath Abbey since the launch of the ‘Creating Voices: Oral History Project’ in January this year.
However, the Abbey still needs your help in finding more people who may remember working on the Abbey’s restoration between 1942 and 2000. The aim is to build up a collection of craftspeople’s stories and to bring to life two crucial periods in the Abbey’s history: the post war period and the turn of the millennium.
Audio recordings of individual’s memories will be shared via the Abbey’s website and a series of activity days covering topics such as stained glass craft and with demonstrations from sculptors, stonemasons and bell ringers.
Any individuals who worked on the Abbey fabric or were involved in its care are being interviewed by the Abbey’s Oral History team comprising volunteers from the church’s congregation and Heritage students from Bath Spa University.
They have been recording and transcribing the interviews of various craftsmen and women, as well as their family members, which already have provided some fascinating insights into what it was like to have worked on the Abbey’s fabric during the 1940’s and ‘50s through to 2000.
One particular local craftsman whose interview has already been successfully recorded is former stonemason, Bryan Dring, now in his 80s, whose granddaughter contacted Bath Abbey through Facebook after seeing his photo on the local news.
Bryan worked for Bath-based builders, Haywood and Wooster, who were responsible for restoring Abbey’s stonework in the 1950s. The stone would arrive in large blocks (sometimes weighing half a ton) and then be sawed, chiselled, and shaped to requirements.
In his interview clip, which is now available to listen to on the Bath Abbey website, Bryan shares his recollections of working on the Abbey in the 1950s. One particular memory which stands out was working on the Abbey’s stone altar on Christmas Eve 1954 and being alerted to a fire. Thanks to his quick thinking, the then newly-restored tower was saved from being burned down!
Bryan also helped the Abbey’s Oral History team to identify other Haywood & Wooster employees who worked alongside him on the Abbey’s stonework. These include Arthur Bowering, Jim Bodman, Steve Stevens, Jim Towells, Richard Head, George Strong, Reg Harding, Eddie Butt, Bob Blackmore, Burt Chard and Charlie Hatchard.
Oliver Taylor, Oral History Project manager at Bath Abbey, said: “We’re really grateful to the people who have come forward so far. It has been a real privilege listening to their stories; some funny, some surprising, many thought-provoking and moving, but all of their personal experiences have been hugely informative. What it has really emphasised is how the strong connection many people have with the Abbey and how crucial their contributions are.
“We always need people to come forward to share their memories, especially of the post war restoration. So if you know of anyone, or if you yourself remember working on the Abbey’s restoration between 1942 and 2000, please get in touch. For example, you might recognise some of the Haywood & Wooster employees who Bryan named. If we don’t capture these stories now, they will be lost forever.”
Bath Abbey’s Oral History team are interested in talking to a variety of people particularly:
- Those who worked in the key areas of stonemasonry & sculpture, conservation, the stained glass windows, the organ and the bells, clock and carillon
- Employees of architects, Hayward & Wooster, between 1947 and 1960 (including Arthur Bowering, Jim Bodman, Steve Stevens, Jim Towells, Richard Head, George Strong, Reg Harding, Eddie Butt, Bob Blackmore, Burt Chard and Charlie Hatchard)
- Employees of Nimbus Conservation Ltd between 1992 and 2000
- People who were involved in fundraising efforts, particularly during the post-war restoration
- People who helped raise money through membership of the Friends of Bath Abbey
If you think that you might be able to contribute to this project as a volunteer or potential interviewee, please contact Ollie Taylor at Bath Abbey on 01225 422462 or email: [email protected]
The ‘Creating Voices: Oral History Project’ is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Friends of Bath Abbey. Bath Abbey was awarded £22,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) with further funding of £7,000 from the Friends of Bath Abbey.
