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REPTON VILLAGE HISTORY GROUP

NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 5 – OCTOBER 2004 

On 7^th September Repton Village History Group commenced its Winter Programme of meetings with a slide show of about 100 old photographs of Repton and nearby South Derbyshire villages. David Smith, who has an excellent collection of images dating back to before 1900, took the audience back in time and reminded us how progress changes the scene, often without us realising. The audience was fascinated as they were reminded of scenes long since forgotten. David’s running commentary added to the enjoyment. 

Our October meeting is on Tuesday 5^th October at 7.30pm in the Village Hall when Graham Nutt, the prime mover in setting up the well known “Magic Attic” archives, will be giving a talk entitled “The Button Box”. It is a story of growing up in South Derbyshire during and after the last war and his witty and amusing talk is aided by a bottomless box of items associated with those times. These range from old buttons to Dinky toys, gas masks, Ration Books, puncture repair outfits, records and all manner of things that were hoarded by households in those days. It is a most unusual talk and one not to be missed. Come along and enjoy it. 

OUR NOVEMBER & DECEMBER MEETINGS WILL BE:

Tuesday 2^nd November – Workshop Evening 

This is an evening when the audience will have the opportunity of seeing some of our archive material and the work which has been undertaken by our members, Some of it will be completed work and some will demonstrate what is currently being done. 

It is your opportunity of making comments and suggestions about our activities and displays and, should you wish, taking part in them. We believe that it will be an interesting discussion evening.

Tuesday 7^th December – Social Evening & Quiz

This is a social evening for the enjoyment of our group – just come along and join us and get in the Christmas spirit. We look forward to seeing you there. 

BASKET MAKING AND THE OSIER BEDS

A visitor to our last meeting who lives in Main Street has raised the subject of the Osier beds which are situated there, although nowadays they are in a sadly neglected state. Repton was quite a big centre for basket making as a cottage industry and the Trade Directories list quite a number over the years. The last known person to carry out this trade was Seth Pearson, in a shed on the corner of High Street and Pinfold Lane. Our new book “Repton-Historic Capital of Mercia” features a picture of him taken in the early 1930’s with some of his products. If anybody has any more information or photographs please contact Alan Kimber on 01283 704042 or at reptonhistory@aol.com  so that more details can be gathered together for our archives and displays. 

REPTON VILLAGE HISTORY GROUP NOW ON-LINE 

A new village Web site has been launched: www.reptonvillage.org.uk  and Repton Village History Group is featured on it! The website domain is owned by our previous Chairman, David Guest and its web pages have been constructed by Ewan Thompson. Tim Burston has acted as technical consultant. It is a very professional site which deals with various aspects of village life and activities including those of our group. It is still in the early stages of development and promises to be even better as time goes by. The whole site is well worth looking at and I am sure that most of you will learn a lot about the village, both as it is now and from a historical point of view. Spare a few minutes to look at it. 

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

Only how many shopping days till Christmas? Unlike the butcher on Burton Road, we are not counting the days. However, most of you will be starting to think about Christmas present lists. When you are doing this, please don’t forget that the History Group has some attractive publications for sale at reasonable prices that are suitable for presents. We have book sales at our regular meetings and they are also on sale at the Brook End Tea Rooms, Repton Post Office, Ottakers in Burton, Sharpe’s Pottery, the Magic Attic and Swadlincote Library amongst other outlets. 

REPTON VILLAGE SOCIETY COFFEE MORNING SATURDAY 4^TH DECEMBER

Repton Village Society, with whom we have a close association are staging this event in the Village Hall on the morning of 4^th December. Our History Group have been invited to display some of our old photographs there and members of the public are also invited to display their personal hobbies. Further information is available from Alan Webster, Repton Village Society, on 01283 701838. This should be a good event and well worth a visit. Further details will be announced shortly. 

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

If anyone wishes to contribute to future editions of this news sheet please contact Alan Kimber on 01283 704042 or E Mail to reptonhistory@aol.com

A.K. 4.10.2004