THE Wychwood Project is asking West Oxfordshire residents to raid their attics and cupboards in search of old photographs, documents and memorabilia showing what life was like for people living in and around the historic Wychwood hunting forest area between 1850 and 1900.
The project, which helps to conserve the hunting forest area, plans to launch a schools education programme and wants to include stories about real-life people and events from the 19th century.
The project’s education team is keen to hear from people whose families come from communities including Leafield, Shipton and Ascott-under-Wychwood, Ramsden and Finstock, and whose ancestors worked in the Wychwood Forest as labourers, woodsmen or gamekeepers, or on farms in the area.
Between 1850 and 1860 large parts of the forest were cut down as land was enclosed for a programme of agricultural improvements.
Anyone with family photos or stories which might be of interest should call Sally Jeffery on 01865 815423.
Any items loaned would be copied and returned to their owners.
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