Archive stories

“In Search of Christmas in England”: 27th December

And the day after! It was not so hard after all to lift the head from the pillow, – for in the words of the wise Elephant “If the wine is good – there is no evil aftermath”! and the wine was certainly good. I had been promised a day seeing as much as possible… Read more “In Search of Christmas in England”: 27th December

“In Search of Christmas in England”: 26th December

Boxing Day was misty and inclined to a fine drizzle. We pottered round Corfe Castle for a short time and then decided we would seek pastures new at all costs. “I can’t stand another damp meal” said Jumbo, “and “Bridget” nearly wept all over me again early this morning when she brought tea”! So we… Read more “In Search of Christmas in England”: 26th December

“In Search of Christmas in England”: 25th December

The Main Street We walked around the old town and peered into the small country shop windows and bought – at least Mouse bought some more Christmas Cards, – feeling they were a sheer necessity at this eleventh hour, if only to put inside her own woolly boots! I shall never know why we didn’t… Read more “In Search of Christmas in England”: 25th December

“In Search of Christmas in England”: 24th December

On the following morning we bought snow boots. – for said the mouse, – ‘If I’m to freeze for three hours on the road again, – at least I’ll have warm feet.’ — Mr Lillywhite of Piccadilly produced the finest pair of woolly lined boots you ever saw and we started once more on our… Read more “In Search of Christmas in England”: 24th December

“In Search of Christmas in England”: 23rd December

December 23rd 1935. All the Christmas parcels were in the post, so what was there to stop us from making merry in the really old fashioned way in England – at the expense of some one else’s labour! Nice to think we could get up Christmas morning in leisurely mood, pry into “stockings” and eat… Read more “In Search of Christmas in England”: 23rd December

“In Search of Christmas in England”: An introduction

In 1935 an anonymous author penned a journey through Dorset and Hampshire, a journey undertaken between the 23rd and 28th December 1935. We have transcribed this account and we will be publishing an extract each day during this period, 85 years later. Part one of this journey will be published later this morning, and then… Read more “In Search of Christmas in England”: An introduction

The Diary of John Foss: November 1851

We are sharing a monthly look at the farm diary of John Foss, written from his dairy farm in Kingston Russell in 1851. November 1851 The penultimate month of the year, November is frosty and clear, although there are some stormy nights throughout. The railroad continues to be a topic in the village, and it… Read more The Diary of John Foss: November 1851

Explore Your Archive!

It’s Explore Your Archive launch week! This is a national campaign highlighting the work of archives and all the wonderful things we hold in the collections.   Each day this week has a theme – from communication to celebration to light. You can follow along with the hashtags daily on Twitter. Here we will look in slightly more detail at Sunday’s theme of home.  Home  Home will mean different… Read more Explore Your Archive!