Listening Lines

Listening Lines

Bringing local stories to life…

Is there a book of stories about where you live, written by the local residents?

Malcolm Buller is a retired primary school teacher who re-kindled his love for writing during the quiet time of life in 2020. His poetry books and novels have been followed by working on the first of a series of collaborative works called ‘Listening Lines’.

Every member of society has a story to tell, yet few have the opportunity to do so. Within every community there must be someone who is willing and able to reach out, to listen and guide their neighbours into recording snapshots of their lives.

‘Listening Lines’ can help turn these stories into a printed book to form a lasting legacy for every hamlet, village or town.

Compiled during 2023, Malcolm invited residents of this large village, past and present, to tell stories. Some wrote, some spoke, some provided notes. He visited the primary school and, with the help of the Year 6 teachers, obtained examples from the memories and imaginations of this generation.

The volunteers who organise the village archives have many photographs, postcards and written accounts, as well as personal knowledge, to share. Clubs, societies, businesses and churches all hold interesting information and their members are a valuable source of tales.

‘Listening Lines – Staplehurst Stories’ was published by Malcolm’s son, Andrew Buller. Its 250 pages has the work of 50 authors and more than 100 photographs. This village too has so many untold stories yet to be recorded.

This book answers many questions like where did the Antarctic explorer, Sir Vivian Fuchs, spend his childhood and buy his tobacco, who gave Harry Hill his first job and why was a cottage in our village rented by Ann Widdecombe?