History Group Meetings
Upcoming Events
If you would like to give a talk relevant to the history of the village, please contact [email protected].
Nothing Scheduled
Nothing scheduled currently. Please contact [email protected] for the latest updates.
History Group CD
Version 3 of this CD now contains all that is on Version 2 plus:
- Resource Schedule now containing almost 800 entries
- An extended Images Section which now includes:
- The Cotswold Bruderhof (1936–1941)
- Parish Council Minutes and Accounts (1895–2011)
- Census Records (1841–1911)
- Some Crimes from the Past
- Memories of growing up in Somerford Keynes by Bernard Stratford, David Radway, John Hayward, Violet and Norman Stratford
- The History Group Quiz Night – Questions and Answers
- Articles and Maps relating to the Enclosure Act
- Front covers of books held in the Group’s Library
- More maps and photographs
Only £5 per copy (£1 if upgrading from Version 2)
All profit to History Group funds
Previous Events
24 November 2018
100 years of the RAF and 100 years since the end of The Great War
A viewing of the recently released documentary film, ‘Spitfire’ giving the late Joy Lofthouse, Mary Ellis, Geoffrey Wellum and other pilot’s impressions. Also featuring the first flight, witnessed by a 4 year old, smuggled onto the airfield by her father, a member of Mitchell’s design team.In a filmed interview Judy Monger recalled her childhood experience, witnessing ‘that wonderful new aeroplane’ take to the sky.The usual browsing tables were supplemented by memorabilia of Des Sheen’s father, a Spitfire pilot in the Battle of Britain
9 October 2017
The Making of the Ridgeway Environment by Eric Jones, co-author of Middle Ridgeway.
The talk explored historical and landscape influences, fluctuating patterns of cultivation, and a long sporting history along the Ridgeway between Avebury and Streatly. Anyone who has walked there will know the magic of the place.
25 April 2016
An Evening in Somerford Keynes, Village Hall. A showing of a DVD featuring a lovely walk around the village, followed by a screening of a selection from the 500 village photographs collected so far.
October 2015
Joy Lofthouse, a 92-year-old Cirencester resident, entertained a capacity audience with her vivid account of life in the Air Transport Auxiliary, where she flew Spitfires and other military aircraft.
December 2014
James King, son of the late Jim King of Elm View, visited on Tuesday 30 December to donate an 1806 hand-coloured map to the village. It is now displayed in the Village Hall and shows a remarkable level of detail covering landholdings and land use. The photograph shown here cannot do the original justice as it was taken through glass, but it does give an impression of the scale and detail. More of the story can be found on the Latest page.
November 2014
The hall was packed for a remembrance meeting at which the members of the armed forces who died in the First World War were described in a short play. Other contributors spoke about the campaign medals that were issued and began the work of identifying those who went to war and did return. If you know anything that may help, please get in touch at [email protected].
Of 240 inhabitants in 1914, at least 54 went on to serve the country, and 12 did not return.
May 2014
Flooding History of Somerford Keynes. Roger Sleeman explored parish minutes, historic maps and photographs from around the turn of the century.
November 2013
Farming Then and Now.
A compilation of studies including field names researched by Karen Mogridge, farming stories from historic newspapers presented by Ann Whitwell, and general local history by Judy Monger, voiced on the night by Roger Sleeman. The projector was put to good use and, as usual, the event was well attended.
April 2013
The Body in the Barn and Other Mysteries.
The main item was a talk, with illustrations, given by Ann Whitwell on crime in the village. This included bodies shot at dawn, drowned in a ditch and found in a barn, as well as cases of bigamy, arson and transportation. The talk was very well received by those present. There was also a short additional presentation on significant moments in the village’s recent history. Around forty people attended the meeting, an excellent turnout, and members were encouraged to get involved with the various projects currently underway. For further details, please contact one of the co-ordinators.
February 2013
Quiz. What do you know about your village? The questions and answers are now included on the V3 disk.
November 2012
Our third anniversary meeting, with a wide range of historical information on display. A film of the 1985 expedition from Malmesbury, marking 1,300 years of Christianity, was shown.
September 2012
Tim Jordan, author, gave a talk on Cotswold stone barns. He illustrated his talk with a wide range of photographs from across the Cotswolds, using the village hall’s new projector and screen. He also brought along copies of his books for sale.
May 2012
Your first aviation experience: capturing living history. Various members contributed to this shared exploration of early and personal aviation memories.
January 2012
Bob Bewley gave a fascinating talk on Archaeology from the air, one of his favourite subjects. The event was very well attended, with around forty villagers coming along to hear this popular and engaging presentation.
November 2011
Members’ Evening celebrating two years of the History Group. A large amount of material was on display, and everyone enjoyed a glass of wine while several members spoke about their research to date.
September 2011
Maggie Sheen gave an overview of pottery making in Britain, from Neolithic and Roman times through to the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods.
August 2011
Shorncote Quarry. An evening walk exploring the history and development of gravel extraction at the quarry.
April 2011
Did you ever think about emigrating – to Australia or Canada? Did something, or somebody, prevent you from taking such a life-changing step? Have you ever wondered what your life might have been like had you gone?
At the beginning of the last century, the Westmacott family did leave for Canada after around 300 years living in Somerford Keynes. Over the generations they had been shepherds, agricultural labourers, coachmen, yeomen, farmers, a shoemaker, baker and grocer (living where The Old Post Office now stands), as well as churchwarden and census enumerator.
On Tuesday 26 April, descendants of the family visited the village from Western Canada to talk about their ancestors and what happened to them after they arrived in Canada. Some visitors may have recognised members of the family from photographs in our collection.
March 2011
How to research local history – Linda and David Viner.
David showed a range of printed examples of village and town local history publications. Linda reminded the group that computer-based recording should not be overlooked, and Pat was congratulated on producing his data disc.
David’s main message was that we may have more potential projects than we can realistically handle, and that prioritisation is essential. He also suggested that the group risks missing a larger objective: recording the history of local gravel extraction while people from the early days are still around. This, he noted, would clearly require collaboration with neighbouring villages.
Linda emphasised the importance of always looking at the wider picture beyond our immediate area, while continuing to collate what happens within it. A superb meeting overall.
February 2011
Visit: Working mill at Lower Mill Estate
Organised by Ian Boast.
A large collection of photographs from the visit, taken by John Sweet, can be found on the History Disk v2, item 66.
January 2011
The Bruderhof Community
By Ann Whitwell
The January meeting was attended by 33 members, who watched a most interesting DVD filmed by, and about, the Bruderhof – founders of the Cotswold Community just up the road. The film was introduced and shown by Ann Whitwell.
As there was insufficient time to show the whole record, Ann very kindly invited members to her home to view the remainder. Several have already taken up her generous offer. Thank you, Ann.
September 2011
Crossing Places of the Upper Thames
By Amy Woolacott
September 2010
Crossing Places of the Upper Thames
By Amy Woolacott
August 2010
Visit: Lower Mill Estate
Organised by Ian Boast
May 2010
Visit: Gloucestershire Records Office
Organised by Roger Sleeman
SK History Group visits Gloucestershire Archives
May 2010
Working with Mills
Ian Boast, Fred Timbrell and Margaret Timbrell
March 2010
Boyhood Memories
John Hayward
Now available on the History Disk
January 2010
Men on the War Memorial
Lynda Isherwood
December 2009
Display of Members’ Objects
October 2009
Inaugural Meeting