Reminiscences Group’s Audio Project
It all started with a chance remark at the launch of the last book ‘Down the Prom’, suggesting that it would be useful if there was an audio version of the book. The comment was made as a result of a desire by an individual with visual impairment to be able to enjoy our booklets. This prompted the Rems Group to seriously think about it and it was decided that an earlier book, ‘Brightlingsea: Memories of Childhood in the 1930s and 1940s’, would make a good audio book - mainly because there were lots of voices reminiscing in it.
They contacted the Colchester & District Talking Newspaper, based at the University of Essex, to see if they could use their recording facilities, and several of them visited the studio to discuss with technician, Kevin Brown, how the project could be done.
In September 2025, about 20 interested members attended a read-through at the Parish Hall, from which 10 were chosen to do the recording. It had been decided to have several voices, male and female, reading the reminiscences with two reading the narration. Osborns Printers was very helpful in producing A4 versions of the book for the read-through.
The next stage was to produce ‘scripts’ for the readers, which took some time. The book was divided into two halves with a Narrator and two male and two female voices for each half. Each group met to have practice read-throughs and some changes were made to the script. In October 2025 the day of recording arrived.
The first group included Eleanor Howe, Annie Simcox, Liz Woods, John Beere and Bryan Reynolds…….
and the second group included Ann Berry, Angie Reid, Jan van Rhyn, Nick Skinner and John Woods…….
It was quite cosy inside the recording booth. Kevin Brown put them at their ease.
Jan Oliver was recorded at her home reading an introduction to the audio book.
Another voice included in the recording was that of Jessica Rust, who now lives in Australia. She recorded her contribution on her mobile phone.
Kevin Brown spent some time editing the recording but eventually he sent the Rems Group 20 USB sticks, which have now been packaged and will retail at £6. These will soon be available from the Museum.
On 6th September 2026, the Audio Project was launched at the Museum to a group of invited guests, including the Mayor, the Deputy, the Readers, Kevin Brown and the u3a Committee.
The Reminiscences Group are grateful to Kevin Brown and the Talking Newspaper for their support in bringing this Audio Project to fruition.