Episodes

  • THE CENTURY SPEAKS 8
    Jul 12 2025

    Essex people talk about positive and negative aspects of old age. They describe the experience of alzheimer's disease and express views on euthanasia. Contributors share their energy and enjoyment of retirement and the twilight years. There are also thoughts about grandparents.


    Produced for BBC Essex and broadcast in 1999.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    30 mins
  • THE CENTURY SPEAKS 7
    Jun 29 2025

    Essex people talk about their childhood and teenage experiences, from carefree days of roaming free outside, playing sports and games to helping with household chores and the work on a farm. They also describe the pressures of being a teenager, sexual awakening and first relationships.


    Produced and first broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    30 mins
  • THE CENTURY SPEAKS 6
    Jun 29 2025


    Essex people compare the days of the bobby on the beat to modern car-based policing. The programme includes the views of those who have been to court and those of a magistrate and a judge. Experiences of crime are described and the media's portrayal of safety on the streets.


    Part of a 16-part series which explores how everyday life changed during the 20th Century, described by the people of Essex, in collaboration with the British Library.

    Produced and first broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    31 mins
  • THE CENTURY SPEAKS Trail 2
    Jun 20 2025

    Promoting a 16-part social history series which explores how everyday life changed during the 20th Century, described by the people of Essex.


    Produced and first broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.


    The entire series can be heard here: soundcloud.com/anton-jarvis-206182017/sets/the-century-speaks


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 min
  • THE CENTURY SPEAKS 5
    Jun 20 2025

    Essex people talk about relationships: living together in and out of marriage, divorce, sex and parenthood. They explore changing attitudes to sex and childbirth before marriage. There are emotional stories of illegitimacy and adoption.


    Part of a 16-part series which explores how everyday life changed during the 20th Century, described by the people of Essex, in collaboration with the British Library.

    Produced and first broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    31 mins
  • THE CENTURY SPEAKS 4
    Jun 20 2025

    Essex people talk about where they feel they belong and their affinity with particular places and groups. They discuss being part of a community, compared with being an outsider. Examples include towns, villages, a football club and a factory. Contributors also speak about how changing working patterns have had an impact on local life.


    Part of a 16-part series which explores how everyday life changed during the 20th Century, described by the people of Essex, in collaboration with the British Library.

    Produced and first broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    31 mins
  • THE CENTURY SPEAKS 3
    May 4 2025

    Born and bred Essex folk and people whose families moved to the county from London describe the differences between country people and Eastenders. The migration of Scottish farmers in the 1930s is included too. Contributors also talk about the 'real' Essex accent and dialects versus Estuary English. We also hear about the reputation of the county and it being the butt of jokes.


    Part of a 16-part series which explores how everyday life changed during the 20th Century, described by the people of Essex, in collaboration with the British Library.

    Produced and first broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    31 mins
  • THE CENTURY SPEAKS 2
    Apr 21 2025

    Essex people talk about renting property, the increasing popularity of buying houses, and the building of large new estates and new towns.

    There is also discussion about the transformation of domestic life by new technology - improvements in heating, sanitation and food preparation.


    Part of a 16-part series which explores how everyday life changed during the 20th Century, described by the people of Essex, in collaboration with the British Library.

    Produced and first broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    31 mins