The National Forest’s LANDshapes project interview with Steve Gardner

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LANt005 Steve Gardner
LANDshapes Oral History interview summary

"An alien place, Burton-on-Trent", thought the young policeman Steve Gardner, but Steve soon settled in both in Burton and at Barton-under-Needwood, which introduced him to a lifelong hobby... listen to Steve talk about how he came to "find a great sense of belonging in Barton" and about how his interest in local history grew, coming to fruition in his fascinating book 'Under the Needwood Tree', and the sequel 'Life and times in Barton, a second glance into the history of Barton'. Hear Steve speak enthusiastically and informatively about the history of Barton in depth, its people, industries, and accent. Find out about high days and holidays and local myths and legends including the story of Henry Whapples who was rumoured to have survived the sinking of the Titanic. Finally, hear more about that hobby of Steve's, The Tug of War, as Steve tells us about the gold medals won by his team in Rochester, USA, at the world championships in 2004.

Interviewer: Roger Kitchen.
Interview Date: 09/02/2005
Landshape Zone: Needwood
Parish: Barton-under-Needwood
Location: Barton Under Needwood, Staffordshire,
Date of birth:1956
Location of Original: Originals held with The National Forest Company.
Reference LANt005

Last updated: 15/9/2005
East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer
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