Show
Norfolk History And Black British Literary Figures
About this show
Introduction
In this episode of Community Chest, Dominik hosts Clive Wilkins-Jones to discuss the Norfolk Heritage Centre and local archives. The conversation focuses on the recovery of collections after a 1994 fire, the 18th-century literary scene in Norwich, and the impact of Olaudah Equiano. Key moments include a discussion on Norwich's migration history and the role of circulating libraries during the city's 'Athens of the North' period.
Dominik hosts a series of discussions featuring Clive Wilkins-Jones (also referred to as Clyde Wilkins Jones) regarding the Norfolk Heritage Centre and local archives. They discuss the collection's recovery following a 1994 fire and the significance of the 18th-century literary scene in Norwich, once called the 'Athens of the North'. A primary focus is the business and literary impact of Olaudah Equiano, who published his autobiography in Norwich in 1794. The conversation also touches on the diverse migration history of Norfolk and the role of circulating libraries. Dominik selects music by the Presidents of the United States of America, noting that history is mostly composed of 'bad times'.
Topics
- Norfolk local history and library archives
- The composition and recovery of the Norfolk heritage collection
- The life and business acumen of Olaudah Equiano in Norwich
- 18th-century reading habits and the role of circulating libraries
- Black history and literary figures in Norwich
- Migration and diversity in Norfolk
- Local history research methods
Participants
- Dominik
- Clive Wilkins-Jones
- Clive Wilkins Jones
- Clyde Wilkins Jones
Names are taken from the archive as written and may include spelling variants.
Listen · this show’s clips
Selected extracted clipsSelected clip
Community Chest · Show Opening
Community Chest · Spoken extract
Community Chest102408_100001
Choose a clip and press play.
Passages from the broadcast
Text from the recording. These passages are not linked to a playable clip.
You know, I'm from the Czech Republic via coming here via Albania and various other places. So, I'm as unlocal as they come. Not quite exotic as that. We're exotic enough. But why is that? Why is that? Why is so? So, what brought you here and to become a local historian of this particular place?
Ten years after that, trying to replace what had been what had been burnt, and 1994. This was the time when computers were just about starting, so I was able to use the internet to.
But the bad times always seem to make the books, or am I wrong, Clive? No, I think you're absolutely right. Why is that? Why don't we write stories of the good times? The bad times. The bad times are more interesting in the sense that you know they're more dramatic.
It it is just so much fun. I mean, you know, on the one hand you think about sitting in the archive and reading books, but then what you find is it's just as exciting as watching a game of football. I think, particularly when Arsenal's playing.
Selected music
Norfolk History And Black British Literary Figures
-
Why it was chosen To remind listeners that things keep changing, fitting the historical theme.
- 2Bad Times · The Presidents Of The United States Of AmericaNo sample is available for this selection.
Why it was chosen The conversation is about history and a fire in the library, and the presenter links this to the song title.
-
Why it was chosen The presenter connects the song's theme of freedom to a discussion about Alabaster Kiana, a former slave.
-
Why it was chosen The presenter chooses the song because the preceding conversation focused on Black history.
-
Why it was chosen The presenter connects the song's themes of social ills to both Black History Month and the social aspect of sustainable living.
-
Why it was chosen The presenter wants to counter the dreariness outside by playing dance music.
-
Why it was chosen The presenter links the song to the moral and environmental issues discussed during the interview.
-
Why it was chosen The presenter plays the song because the upcoming interview is on the phone, and the song is about phones.
-
Why it was chosen The song is possibly related to the mention of tightrope walkers at the festival.