Mapping routes into history cum heritage

Photo:This photo, dated 1945, was taken at the back of 36 Swinderby Road, Wembley, Middlesex, with (from left to right) my maternal grandfather (who I called 'Pop'), my mother and Pop's brother, my Uncle Sid, who was an in-patient at Springfield Mental Hospital, near Tooting, in south London. He was admitted in 1922 and spent the last years of the First World War as a prisoner of war in Persia (modern Iran) Pop was a self-employed plumber and the back room of the house was his workshop and was the same when he died in 1976. He avoided call-up during the First World War and I am very proud of him for this fact alone. He was a kind and gentle man. My mother wasn't married when I was born and I never knew my father or who he was. This photograph was placed in the London Borough of Brent Archives, along with other family photographs, by my Uncle Frank, Sid's son, a few years ago. 'The Howards' were well known in Wembley, so I grew up listening to family and friends talking about people and events, past and present. How could I not become interested in local history? I bought my mother a 'History of Wembley' in 1952 as a birthday present from my paper-round money. It came back to me when she died in 2006 and in 1957, my Sunday School prize was 'The Book of Harrow', so I must have been showing an interest of sorts even then. It feels odd to be part of a 'archive' and the only person in a photograph who is still alive.

This photo, dated 1945, was taken at the back of 36 Swinderby Road, Wembley, Middlesex, with (from left to right) my maternal grandfather (who I called 'Pop'), my mother and Pop's brother, my Uncle Sid, who was an in-patient at Springfield Mental Hospital, near Tooting, in south London. He was admitted in 1922 and spent the last years of the First World War as a prisoner of war in Persia (modern Iran) Pop was a self-employed plumber and the back room of the house was his workshop and was the same when he died in 1976. He avoided call-up during the First World War and I am very proud of him for this fact alone. He was a kind and gentle man. My mother wasn't married when I was born and I never knew my father or who he was. This photograph was placed in the London Borough of Brent Archives, along with other family photographs, by my Uncle Frank, Sid's son, a few years ago. 'The Howards' were well known in Wembley, so I grew up listening to family and friends talking about people and events, past and present. How could I not become interested in local history? I bought my mother a 'History of Wembley' in 1952 as a birthday present from my paper-round money. It came back to me when she died in 2006 and in 1957, my Sunday School prize was 'The Book of Harrow', so I must have been showing an interest of sorts even then. It feels odd to be part of a 'archive' and the only person in a photograph who is still alive.

Tell us how you became actively interested in some aspect of the past

By Robert Howard, Angel Row History Forum organiser and Notts Local History Association

At the December 2012 meeting of the Angel Row History Forum, those present spoke about 'mapping the different routes' followed by those who are involved in history cum heritage, be it as an activist of some kind or someone who attends meetings or actively takes part in some way.
The idea is that as many individuals as possible write about how they became actively interested in some aspect of history, be it a place, their family, a subject or an item. The possibilities seem endless once you ask the question, but by sharing our reminiscences about how we became involved, we may provide clues as to how history cum heritage can attract more participants at a time when many groups are in need of new volunteers and activists if they are to have a long-term future.
During 2013, we will ask as many people as possible to share their story with us. In a paragraph or two, post a comment about how and why you became actively interested in history cum heritage. At the end of your entry it would be helpful is you could include your name, location and age.
My own 'comment' on the right hand side of this page will, I hope, show you what to do if you are unsure. If you do take part, please accept the thanks of the Angel Row History Forum and Notts Local History Association for your contribution. The idea is that come May 2014, when we hope to hold another History Fair at Angel Row Central Library in Nottingham, we will be able to have a 'gallery' displaying some of comments posted to this Our Nottinghamshire webpage, along with other comments gathered during the course of 2013.
So, just how did you become interested?

This page was added by Robert Howard on 18/12/2012.
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