Sounds of the South West

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Sounds of the South West 🔈Preserving and sharing at-risk audio heritage across the South West
✨️Generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund
🏛 Led by Bristol Archives

28/09/2026

🚨 Breaking news: Sounds of the South West is now online!

You can explore a fascinating selection of sounds and stories on our brand new website, bringing the region’s rich heritage to life through recordings held by local archives.

From everyday moments to memorable events, these recordings offer a unique glimpse into the people, places and history that has shaped our communities.

This is just the beginning. As the project continues, we’ll be adding even more sounds and stories for you to explore.

🎧Visit www.soundsofthesouthwest.org.uk, have a listen, and tell us in the comments: what’s your favourite sound so far?

24/09/2026

Get ready to press play on Sounds of the South West ▶️

Explore our band-new website from Monday 28 September to hear rare and unique recordings from archives all over the south-west.

The website will make it easy to explore these amazing sounds from wherever you are. More recordings will be uploaded regularly so there will always be something new to discover.

Follow us for launch updates and share this post with anyone who loves the south-west’s distinct heritage

16/09/2026

Mark your calendar for Monday 28 September 🔔

We’ve been working on something big and the wait is nearly over!

Any guesses what we’ve been up to? Comment your answer 💬

10/09/2026

We’ve been busy behind the scenes, and we’re nearly ready to share what we’ve been working on 👀

Follow us to be the first to hear our big announcement 📢

Are you interested in hearing history through voices from the past? Follow our journey as we work with Archives and Loca...
07/09/2026

Are you interested in hearing history through voices from the past?

Follow our journey as we work with Archives and Local Studies for Bath and North East Somerset and other archives across the South West, to digitise and preserve unique audio recordings from their collections.

📍Where is your local archive? Let us know in the comments.

02/09/2026

What is your favourite sound? 🔊

We asked a few sound experts and their answers ranged from calming nature sounds to cherished childhood memories.

Sounds transport us back in time, stir emotions and tell powerful stories. These are just some of the important reasons why we’re preserving historic recordings for future generations.

So, let us know in the comments below; what is your favourite sound and how does it make you feel? 💬

27/08/2026

Meet Ruth 👋

She’s one of our wonderful volunteers, helping us to bring the voices, stories and memories of our region to light. These recordings capture everyday moments and give us a chance to hear the past in people’s own voices.

Soon you’ll be able to listen to these recordings too!

Follow us for more from our volunteers and sounds from across the south-west.

The story of Bristol’s jazz scene started in the heart of the community🎷From dance halls to pubs, jazz found its home in...
18/08/2026

The story of Bristol’s jazz scene started in the heart of the community🎷From dance halls to pubs, jazz found its home in packed rooms across the city.

Through a fascinating collection of oral history interviews recorded by musician and academic John Berry, we're uncovering the stories of the people who helped shape Bristol's early jazz community.

In his latest blog, Hugh, one of our project volunteers, explores the memories, humour and passion captured in these recordings, offering a glimpse into the era of big bands, dance halls and post-war jazz.

Now being digitised as part of the Sounds of the South West project, this remarkable collection is helping preserve an important part of Bristol's musical heritage for future generations.

🔗Read the blog: https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/blog/jazzing-up-the-archives-the-beginnings-of-jazz-in-bristol/

Follow our page and stay tuned for part two, where Hugh explores Bristol's modern jazz scene and examines how these early musicians and venues helped shape the city's thriving jazz culture today.

Image credit: © Colin and Chris Evans

13/08/2026

If you remember vinyl records, you might also remember what came before them.

Lacquer records are just one of the many formats we’re digitising and preserving for future generations.

Do you remember using or seeing lacquer discs? We’d love to hear your memories in the comments 💬

Plymouth sounds great! We are excited to be working with The Box Plymouth to preserve and digitise their audio heritage✨...
10/08/2026

Plymouth sounds great! We are excited to be working with The Box Plymouth to preserve and digitise their audio heritage✨

This project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

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