Peckham Voices is an oral history project that was commissioned for Peckham Festival 2016.

By building an audio collection of stories from local residents, the mission was to both document and celebrate the many voices that make up our community. During last year’s festival we collected audio interviews that provided an insight into work, love, cultural heritage and experiences of change in relation to Peckham.

We collaborated with a wide variety of community partners to have as wide a demographic of people involved. These included Peckham All Saints Church, Peckhamplex, Peckham Liberal Club, Peckham Vision, Copeland Park and The Pioneer Centre. We are hoping that the archive will not only be a valuable asset for future generations but promote the value of listening and strengthen social connections and understanding across the community.

Track listings

• Eileen from Peckham Vision tells us about The Peckham Action group campaign that managed to save Peckham High Street from demolition with help from a punk band.
• Kwame relates a story of every day heroism at a Rye Lane Bus stop.
• Katrina tells us about the days of compulsory purchase and Bussey factory glory (Ouija boards and all!)
• Kay shares a very personal and moving story of her adoption in the UK and the experience of travelling back to Nigeria as a teen to meet her birth mother.
• Brian remembers swimming in rather dirty Surrey Canal as a boy after WWII
• Nestor reveals the secrets to her special Bajan chicken she cooks up for the Peckham All Saints Church monthly lunches.
• Pam recounts memories of her childhood at the Peckham Experiment.