Where are the stories?

The first place to look for the stories is with the people in local groups across the UK.  We've done our best to document some of these so they can be conserved, made accessible and used.   Archives we have used are:

Woodcraft Folk Archive, UCL Special Collection

The Woodcraft Folk Archive spans its life from its foundation in 1925 to the present day. It contains many records and objects relating to the organisation’s history. These include;

• Administrative papers, like annual reports, minutes and papers.

• Banners, flags, pennants, and costumes.

• Magazines and journals.

• Scrapbooks.

• Photographs and audio recordings. 

The catalogue can be found here. Additional material is often added.

The Archive spent time on deposit with various repositories before finding a permanent home with UCL Special Collections in 2018. Since then, it has been consulted by researchers from across the globe. It is used widely and creatively within UCL for teaching and through an active outreach programme.

UCL Special Collections are freely available for everyone to use. If you want to use the collection

Email: spec.coll@ucl.ac.uk
Phone: 020 7612 6983.
Website:  Visiting Us | Library Services - UCL – University College London

Woodcraft Folk Cudham Archive

Newly established 2024 at Cudham Environmental Activities Centre run by Woodcraft Folk, this archive is available on request.

Email cudham@woodcraft.org.uk

Website: woodcraft.org.uk/centre/cudham-environmental-activities-centre

People's History Museum

People’s History Museum is the national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future.  PHM collects, cares for, and conserves an eclectic and colourful mix of historic and contemporary material telling the story of democracy in Britain. You will find Woodcraft Folk stories among the radical stories of people coming together to champion ideas worth fighting for, and be empowered by the past to make a change for the future, at People's History Museum

Email:  archive@phm.org.uk 

Website: phm.org.uk

Bishopsgate Institute Special Collections and Archives

Documenting the experiences of everyday people, and the extraordinary individuals and organisations who have strived for social, political, and cultural change. 

Since the archive opened to the public in 1895 it has been steadily growing, with unique collections gifted and loaned to us. Some are London focused, but the lives they preserve and the issues they explore have national and global resonance.  You will find John (Badger) Colbert collection here.

Email: library@bishopsgate.org.uk
Website: https://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/

The British Library 

Woodcraft Folk oral history interviews, particularly those from the "90 Years of the Woodcraft Folk" project (2015-16), are archived in the British Library and the UCL Institute of Education. 

Email: customer@bl.uk  

Website: https://sami.bl.uk/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=ISJsPQYFvV/WORKS-FILE/X/60/502/X

Woodcraft Folk Heritage Collection

Woodcraft Folk online Heritage collection is primarily a digital archive documenting and making easily accessible digital records as well as linking to archives and collections, including some private collections. The Collection is currently offline, but will be available again in early 2026.  For more information and access to existing material:

Email: heritage@woodcraft.org.uk

Website: woodcraft.org.uk/projects-campaigns/100-objects-spanning-100-years/

For any further information about 100 Objects Spanning 100 Years contact:

marcus.belben@woodcraft.org.uk