Somerford Keynes Parish History Group The group was formed in the autumn of  2009 to attempt to bring together the various  sources of knowledge available concerning  the history of the village and to undertake  research projects. The group is very much in  its infancy. Several grouplets have been established  covering general areas of interest. Each  grouplet has a co-ordinator to oversee and  encourage research etc. A further co-  ordinator is responsible for resources.    They are: Grouplet Co-ordinator Brief Description Contact Early Les Jones Excavations, Fossils, Pottery, Saxons Les Jones 01285 861545 Post Tudor  Roger Sleeman Tracks and Roads, Cottages, Mills and Rivers, Quarries Roger Sleeman 01285 861742 Social Ann Whitwell Schools, Families, Industries, Wills, Living Memories Ann Whitwell 01285 861694 Church Judy Monger War Memorial, Vicars from 1218, Gravestones Judy Monger 01285 861292 Resources Pat Cook Resources and on going project schedule Pat Cook 01285 861656 The intention is to include on this website as much relevant information as possible. Initially this may be limited but, hopefully, will increase as the group’s activities develop. Group meetings are expected to be bi-monthly,  Meetings are informal and everyone is welcome. Feel free to bring along anything that you feel may be of interest, including your own glass of wine. Village walks and visits to local historic buildings are a future possibility. Please contact any of the co-ordinators for further information regarding the group’s activities. Current Projects Early (Pre Tudor) Les Jones Project 1 Les Jones General Early History Project 2 Maggie Sheen Pottery Researching various pottery styles in the area. Report Nov? Project 3 John Sweet Post Roman to Pre Saxon Initial report at Sept meeting to obtain feedback. Properties Roger Sleeman Project 1 Roger Sleeman Cottages Researching the history of cottages (in particular former Grade 3 Listings) Project 2 Des Sheen Jefferies Nursery Linking maps to the development and demise of the nursery Contact to be made with former employees Project 3 Ian Boast Mills and Rivers Amy Woolacot gave a talk (see Group Meetings) Ian arranged a visit to Lower Mill  Project 4 Locate dwellings of people listed in censuses   Project 5 History of prominent properties and the their families School Les Jones Project 1 Sophie Livingstone The Schools. Opening, operation and closure of the Village Schools. Project 2 List scholars from censuses 1851 to 1901 (about 300 names) The Wider Parish Ann Whitwell Project 1 Karen Mogridge Old Field Names To research origins of old field names Project 2 Ann Whitwell Bruderhof Community To explore the groups activity in the area (See Group Meetings) Project 3 Lisa Willis Age of Hedgerows To research, identify and document hedgerow plants Jottings Ann Whitwell Project 1 Ann Whitwell Living Memories Visit people with long memories and record their experiences Work and Play Judy Monger Project 1 Sarah Powell Occupational History To study census returns and research trends, occupations etc. Project2 Pat Cook Sporting Activities To investigate and record sporting clubs of the past Project 3 Ann Whitwell Crime in the Parish To research crime trends The Churches Judy Monger Project 1 Lynda Isherwood War Memorial Men Lynda continuing research [Brief talks already given at meetings and in  church on Remembrance Day] John Hayward researching a grave Project 2 Judy Monger Recording Memorials Plan completed. Inscriptions well under way Project 3 Helen Sweet Vicars Writing about the lives of local vicars Project 4 Judy Monger,  Registers To transcribe marriages and baptisms. Burials completed. Baptisms Peter Watkins and marriages proceeding. Growth & Development Roger Sleeman Project1 Roger Sleeman Gravel Extraction To investigate and record the growth of gravel extraction and the wider resultant implications Project 2 John Brailey The development of A study of “Bradstone” development to assist in dating modern village Reconstituted Stone properties General Judy Monger Project 1 Judy Monger Photographs To update and add to the existing village collection Project 2 Maggie Sheen Map of Parish Map purchased in digital form in partnership with Village Hall committee and the Parish Council. A print is on show in the Village Hall © Somerford Keynes Parish History Group 2011   The picture above shows a school photo from before the war, just one of the photos on our resources disk, which you can buy for just £5 Page last updated 14 May 2012 BUY ME!  Version 2 of the Resources Disc now available for £5, or £1 if you already hold Version1 Press Group Meetings above for what’s on!