THS Searchlight Sep 2004

Tewkesbury Historical Society

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Searchlight on the Past

Newsletter of the Tewkesbury Historical Society

September 2004 Issue no 5

Edited by John Dixon, president

We are now starting our Fourteenth Season.

The main developments to announce are:

   Congratulations!

• Wendy Snarey who is, of course, our Secretary but she is also well known as a superb transcriber of data.  She is also a superb researcher and, during her trips to the PRO in London accompanying Alan on his business trips, she discovered - and transcribed - for us an invaluable archive which she called "Lloyd George's Domesday Book".

   

  Every property in Tewkesbury is marked on the 1883 OS map with a reference number. Vital statistics were recorded: ownership, occupation, a detailed description, rental, gross value and where known the previous selling price etc.

   

  It is of immense value to local and family historians and our Society is deeply grateful to Wendy for making it available to us.  Since it was written up in Bulletin 11, other localities will be able to catch us up now that the B.A.L.H. has justly recognised Wendy's work!

• Cliff Burd for the publication of “Lost Alleys” (and his Golden Wedding!)

• David Willavoys for the publication of “From Moravian to Methodist” on behalf of Apperley Methodist Church.

    THS Publication No 3 is about to be published! It is the second volume of Harry Workman’s Memories, entitled “Smacker and Shipsyud – Milk and Mayoralty”.

Harry carries on with his beguiling recollections of local characters of the past, but also explains the growth of Cotteswold Dairies and his own unlikely political career, which saw him receive the honour of being elected Mayor twice between 1959-61. The book-signing will take place at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday xx September at 10 a.m..

   Volume 13 of our Annual Bulletin has only recently been published but the deadline of 1 December is approaching for submissions for Volume 14! We are already looking forward to promised articles from new authors, including our new “typesetter”, Derek Benson. 

    If any other members are undertaking research, please let John know so that we can update the Register of Members’ Research Interests.

    The Committee elected at the AGM shows continuity from last year with the exception that we bade farewell to Bill Rennison as a Committee member – but elected him as only our 5th Life Member.  We cannot ask for volunteers for this honour - but we would be delighted if any other members would like to join the committee – just contact Wendy!  The Society’s Honours Board, which celebrates Life Members and Woodard Award winners,  has now been re-located to the Town hall, by kind permission of the Council.

   We also thank them for continuing to host the monthly sessions to Index the Tewkesbury Register. This vital project has been progressing successfully for many years. David Willavoys is delighted to announce that 1858-1899 is complete and now we need still more volunteers to tackle the 20th C.  We meet monthly on a Wednesday morning any time between 9-1 pm in the Mayor’s Parlour, at the Town Hall – and we offer refreshments. Do join us if you can spare the odd hour. 

   County and Regional Affairs.

          In May this year your President and Secretary were part of a team of tutors for a hands-on workshop for using computers in Local and Family History held at Tewkesbury School.

          On 2 October, David Willavoys is co-ordinating the mounting of a display concerning Crime and Policing in Tewkesbury as part of the Regional History Day at Sir Thomas Rich's School, Gloucester, where we shall entertain regional visitors.

   Town Museum.  Members need to know that there has been a great deal of uncertainty about the future of our Museum.  Despite the Borough funding the excellent work of Chris Kirby in re-invigorating the Museum, that funding has almost been withdrawn and it seems that Maggie Thornton will be a part-time curator who will be dependent upon the support of volunteers.  Our own Cliff Burd has devoted more years than he can remember as Chair of Trustees to keep the Museum running. Both he and Maggie need our support. We have little new to report on the new heritage Centre.

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