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Changing Times in Carew is an oral history project which has recorded the stories of everyday life in a South Pembrokeshire parish in the 20th century. The project was initiated by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which was looking at ways to conserve the rich cultural heritage of the area and make it more accessible to locals and visitors.

The authority approached the Carew community because of its rich oral history tradition and because a local history group was already active. The Carew Community Association led the project, employing a coordinator to make sure that everyone in the community had the opportunity to get involved in sharing their memories and stories with their neighbours, friends, colleagues and visitors to the area. A community archive was created and deposited with the Pembrokeshire Museum Service.

• To train volunteers to give them the skills needed to collect oral histories.
• To collect, record and collate the community’s stories and memories.
• To interpret the memories and stories gathered and make the information available to a wide audience.

• The project has captured the unique social history of Carew, which consists of nine settlements, each having its own identity and ‘sense of place’.
• 60 interviews were recorded and archived with Pembrokeshire Museum Service, together with photographs and other documents collected during the project.
• There is a greater understanding of oral history in the community, the uses it has and the benefits it can bring in encouraging a community to come together. 

• 12 volunteer interviewers received trained in using recording equipment and collecting oral histories.
• Local people shared their skills. In this truly community-based project, everyone was encouraged to take part; some people provided IT and audio expertise, some got involved with organising events whilst others brought softer skills to the project, such as giving older people the confidence to participate.
• 10 community events were held, providing important opportunities for younger people to work with and get to know older people in the community.
• Two CDs documenting the project were produced and distributed to all 620 households in the community, so allowing everyone to learn about and celebrate their heritage.

• Visit all local groups when planning and starting the project – it will help everyone feel that they have a ‘stake’ in the project. And hold as many community events as possible to keep everyone informed of the project’s progress and encourage more people to take part.
• Take a ‘community approach’ to looking for interviewees – people respond best to people they know already and are more likely to volunteer if asked to take part by friends or relatives.
• Encouraging school pupils to interview older friends and relatives provided a good bridge between generations and produced wonderful material.
• Keep a running photographic record of your project – you cannot return and take photographs of local events later.

• Newcomers to the area attended events and feel they have a greater understanding of the locality and its history, and they feel more involved in the community.
• More information on the prject is available on the Pembrokeshire Coast Website. 

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