Page 205 - Redditch People

Redditch People

Section Two - Living Histories Publications

From the 1970’s, Mike Johnson and Gordon Anstis used the new medium of video to
record a series of interviews with local Redditch residents. Later, these were transcribed
by Anne Bradford and published as a series of booklets under the title of “Memories of Old
Redditch - The life and Times series”

These provide an invaluable insight to Redditch in
the 20th Century.

Both the original video records and the printed
booklets are in the archives of the Redditch Local
History Society and extracts are presented at this
exhibition.

We would like to thank both Mike & Anne for their
foresight in producing these documents in the first place and for their permission to use
them at this exhibition.

Anne Bradford - The Author

Anne Bradford is a local Historian and Author. She
moved to the Redditch area in 1958 only to discover
that many of her ancestors had lived in Redditch and
Studley, and she found many forgotten relatives.

After many years in secretarial work Anne became a teacher and
taught English and commercial subjects for eight years before
returning to work in a number of local organisations.
On taking early retirement, Anne found that the combination of
shorthand and typing skills, her knowledge of English, and a
lifelong interest in history, made her an ideal person to record
oral history. Encouraged by Redditch library, she began writing
and publishing and has now written eleven books in total. Her
book “Old Redditch Voices” is one of the must read books about Redditch.

Mike Johnson - The Filmaker

Mike Johnson was born and bred in Redditch. He ran a radio and
television business in the town until 1979. Always being interested in
local and military history he became involved in recording the
memories of people who had lived and worked in the old town of
Redditch, many of which have been published.
This book gives an insight into the role and duties of the 9th
Worcestershire (Redditch) Battalion Home Guard and recalls the
memories of some of those Home Guardsmen who served in it .

© RLHS 2015 Page: 205