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The Joy of Archives

Sara Wheeler reflects on the importance of preserving the country's archives - at a time when library closures and budget cuts abound.

From sacks of correspondence belonging to a well known author to archives from the Battle of Waterloo (and the odd wooden leg), Sara Wheeler reflects on the joys of Britain's personal archives.

'I have loved almost every day I have ever spent in an archive,' Sara writes, 'and not just because dead people are so easy to get along with.'

But she fears that idiosyncratic borough and country archives will suffer because of budget cuts.

Producer: Adele Armstrong
Sound: Peter Bosher
Production coordinator: Liam Morrey
Editor: Bridget Harney

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9 minutes

Last on

Sunday 08:48

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  • Last Friday 20:50
  • Sunday 08:48

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