This ought to be a well-populated web-site - populated with individuals who are madly interested in Northamptonshire's rich history, and others hungry for information about the past, with lots of Google-mute questions about the county's history. Why isn't it?
There must be a lot of first-hand anecdotal and photographic historical evidence disappearing from the planet with its every revolution. The older the inhabitant, the closer they are in touch with an extinct way of life, and the closer to the next. Perhaps people either don't realise what they have, or don't know whether anyone else would be interested in it.
My own problem lies in the difficulty of sharing 40-50 year old history in digital image form. Is there a place for it? The Woodford Halse Historical Society, or whatever they call themselves, seem to have withered on the vine - at least all I see is a dead internet link.
Anyone contemplating a new history of Woodford Halse, even a more complete historical record in non-book form, one that allows at least a casual nod at the railway aspect of things (the part of its history that first roused Woodford from backwater somnolence), should maybe have a word with me. I am happy to share what I have if the recipient's motive is preservation of fragile history and not financial. I may not have much, and what I have is all railway oriented, but some of what I have is probably not now obtainable elsewhere.
Much of this photographic history relating to the railway aspect of Woodford Halse is in my recent book (May 2007) of the Great Central line (1960-1964). But free advertising is probably frowned on here, right?
Regards
Tony Newman, Lisle, Ontario, Canada.
central@copper.net
Tony,
thanks for your comments and I agree with your thoughts here. This site is still very young so the content is growing but more importantly, so are the numbers of people visiting. Finding people willing to submit content has been difficult and is mostly done behind the scenes with me contacting people directly and requesting help. Much of the response I have had is positive but with little willingness to actually post the content themselves, such is the modern world where time is precious.
As for your own information on Woodford Halse, there is most certainly a place for as much as you wish to share on this site. Photo's, text, anything I can host I will do as this site is designed to share as much as possible about this county and I doubt we could ever have too much, even on just a few subjects. If you wish to share this with the world then I am more than happy to help get it onto this site. Any copyright you wish to enforce would also be recognised and stated.
You would be credited for your work of course and I don't have any problems advertising your book on this site as it is of certain interest to our visitors. In time I hope to have a reference list of books published on the county but again, this is way down a long list of activities I have set up for my 'spare' time.
Thanks again for your comments and welcome to the site. Let me know how I can help you as I have no doubt it will help me to make this site a better reference for those interested.
Marcus
Editor of Northamptonshire-history.org.uk