Image: Jon Shuffle, Intense Records, an interview on Meet Chelmsford

Over the next few weeks, I am excited to start recruiting volunteers to join me on the Meet Chelmsford project team. I am looking for people. who like me, are as passionate about recording and capturing the tales that exist in the hearts of local people.

I started the project because I believe stories are really powerful, and that they reveal hidden parts of us, that make us who we are and influence our decisions.

Living here, I have observed that ​Chelmsford is a transient city, with a daily ebb and flow, which I think can leave us lacking in identity and without a sense of community.

​Whilst observing the retail development of the City centre – a real success story, it has also become apparent to me, that while global  companies are adding enormous value to our local economy, more work can be done to support our independent, creative, cultural and social enterprises and entrepreneurs.

​Through pictures and interviews I have started to scratch the surface, to uncover a snapshot of the people and small businesses that call Chelmsford home.

It is not a marketing exercise, but a social history project to capture the fine grain and texture of our community.  Publishing stories online to highlight hidden gems and provide a new face for Chelmsford City.

I am really keen for this project to reach it’s full potential and really aware that, I will not be able to do this alone. And why would I? I want Meet Chelmsford to genuinely be embedded in and owned by the local community. I want Chelmsford photographers, writers and bloggers to join me in listening to and capturing the unique local stories and personalities. There are still so many — I have only just started.

If this is something you are passionate about too and would like to get involved, I have an exciting opportunity for you.  To kick start my recruitment drive, my lovely colleague, Sammy Oxford, Outreach & Activity Officer at Chelmsford Museum, has gifted me 4x free places on a training session she has organised– An Intro to Oral History hosted on the 9th of August, 10am – 5pm, delivered by the Oral History Society & British Library.

The workshop aims is to help fine tune skills required to capture people in their true form – something we love at Meet Chelmsford and is key to furthering our stories.

To register an interest in getting involved in Meet Chelmsford and attending the free training session please email me, Lydia Packham at ku.oc.drofsmlehcteem@olleh