Connecting to the past with ghost stories
After finding a 40 year old pamphlet at Surrey Heath Museum, I learnt that Farnham had archaeological evidence dating to the Mesolithic period. I wanted to know:
How far back can a connected memory thread go?
Can this still resonate today?
I explored archived material, specifically stories of ghosts as a source of social memory, from local libraries and archives. Then visited significant sites; watched how people interact in those places today, and collected oral memories of the sites.
I then compiled a narrative around the modern and remembered sense of place around Farnham, layering its history with tangible connection through evocative anecdotes linking memory of place to sight, smell, sound, taste, and movement. This multisensory memory connects a present-day experience to that of earlier people who experienced those same things.
The trail walk took place on Halloween 2023.
More to come in 2024…
Do you have ghostly anecdotes or stories from Farnham (Surrey) or surrounding area you would like to share? Contact me: afjw-creations@mailfence.com
AFJW Creations 