Throughout the winter of 2020/2021, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, I had the fascinating job of converting about 70 or 80 old audio reels onto a digital MP3 format for the Dales Country Museum in Hawes, North Yorkshire. It was a nice job to do in the warmth of my office during the cold and wet months.
These recordings were made in the sixties and seventies. They included interviews with local yorkshire folk who told the tales of life in the dales in the past as well as the present. There was also many pieces of music to transfer from local bands and choirs of Wensleydale.
It was fascinating to listen to. I learned many new words and phrases such as “Bannocks” which were special cakes that the locals made. Many of the recordings included Kit Calvert who was a well known farmer and cheesemaker in the area.
I converted the old tapes on a Revox reel to reel recorder which are few and far between nowadays. If I can help with any conversions or transfers, please do get in touch.