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.

First broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.

More programmes in the series here: soundcloud.com/anton-jarvis-206182017/sets/the-century-speaks

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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.

Broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.

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From a helicopter above Essex the county's landscape is described: its fields, woodlands, coastline, towns, villages, farms, roads and industry.

People discuss how new developments, including new towns, transformed a once almost entirely rural environment.

Broadcast on BBC Essex in 1999.

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