If you would like help with any aspect of oral history, please get in touch. I am based in Worcestershire and work all over the West Midlands, South West and Wales. I have been recording oral history interviews and running oral history projects for nearly 20 years, and can help with any of the following:
- Starting up an oral history project
- Advice on funding applications and equipment
- Oral history training
- Oral history editing
- School oral history projects
- Making personal or family recordings
Oral History Advice
As a West Midlands Regional Networker for the Oral History Society, I am happy to give advice on all aspects of oral history. Please feel free to contact me if you are planning or managing an oral history project. I am also a key member of the OHS oral history in schools group and have extensive experience of working with children and developing school resources. Please have a look at the schools page for further information.
Project Management
I have experience in managing oral history projects (large and small) and am also happy to take on any aspect of a project, such as running workshops in schools or editing audio. I have extensive interviewing experience, having recorded more than 700 oral history interviews to date on a very wide range of subjects.
Oral History Training
I am an accredited trainer for the Oral History Society and run regular introduction to oral history courses and tailor-made courses for groups. Please contact me for details on different courses and costs or go to the Oral History Society Website www.ohs.org.uk. I am also happy to organise workshops in schools (any age group from Y2 to Y13) and undergraduate courses or one-off lectures.
“Having undertaken a number of training sessions and a range of instruction in oral history, Julia’s workshop stands out as the most informative and enjoyable.”
Greig Campbell, In The Shadow of Elisabeth
Oral History Editing
I will happily turn your audio into extracts (for websites) or create a CD for you (ranging from very basic low cost options to far more complex with scripts, music, sound effects etc). Please contact me for some examples of my work or have a look at my Audio Production page.
Recording Personal Life Stories
Do you want a recording of a family member or cherished friend? I will happily make a recording for you or teach you how to do it yourself.
“I treasure the oral history recordings which Julia made with my father about his childhood in Brazil. It was a unique and wonderful Christmas present.”
Neil Mackintosh
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Letts Talk Clients and Projects:
- Worcestershire Wildlife Trust – Blackhouse Wood (audio trail), 50th Anniversary (oral history project)
- South Gloucester Council – A Forgotten Landscape – Tales of the Vale (volunteer-led oral history project, publication, exhibition)
- University of Worcester – The Worcester Spirit (oral history project)
- Wolverhampton Art Gallery – Interviewing and audio production for exhibitions; Sensing Sculpture, The Making of Mordor, Stowlawn, Black Art
- St Richard’s Hospice, Worcester – 30 Years of Memories (oral history project)
- The National Trust – Various including audio production at Croome Court, training at Tyntesfield, Attingham Park, Dunham Massey, Barrington Court, video production at Newark Park
- Multistory, West Bromwich – Black Country Stories Oral History Project and Sandwell’s oral history publication ‘You just had to get on with it’
- Aston Martin – A Century of Craftsmanship (interviewing and editing training)
- Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, Bristol – A People’s History (training and editing)
- Gurkha Stories – Secrets of the Gurkha Suitcase (school resource based on oral history)
- Splash TV – ‘We did our bit’ (video oral history of WW2 veterans)
- Worcestershire County Council Before the Hive (audio production), Harvesting the Past (oral history project and theatre production), Generations Together (intergenerational school project), Sharing the Past (audio reminiscence box)
- Witleys Oral History Group – Witley Voices (audio production)
- Worcester Porcelain Museum – The Workers’ Story (oral history project)
- Worcestershire County Museum – Gypsy Wagons Audio Trail
- WiNN Evesham – Women from the Vale (oral history project and 10 radio plays)
- Droitwich Spa Older People’s Forum and Library – Our War and Our Droitwich (oral history projects)
- CAT – Centre for Alternative Technology (Training)
- Bromsgrove Townscape Heritage Initiative Bromsgrove People and Places (audio production)
- Llanwrtyd Heritage and Arts Centre – Oral History Project (training and editing)
- Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton – Counter Culture (training and theatre)
- Project Pigeon, Birmingham – Tales from the Fancy (oral history project)

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