Repton Village Website
Repton - historic capital of Mercia
REPTON VILLAGE HISTORY GROUP
NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 21 – AUTUMN 2007
OUR NEW COMMITTEE ELECTED IN MAY 2007
Chair Alan Kimber - also photographic archivist
Vice-Chair Ivor Sandars
Treasurer Robert Blackshaw
Secretary Barbara McArdle
Committee: David Guest - also documentary archivist
Jeanne Harris
Glenys Shakespeare - also Membership Secretary
Alan Thompson
John Ward
CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
The Committee elected in May had only one change and we welcome Jeanne Harris. Whilst the committee are listed by name it must be remembered that many more members help to make our events so successful and I would like to thank the quite large band who do so, especially on club nights and at exhibitions to make things go smoothly. I believe that the group has come a long way in the last year and is now far stronger than previously thanks to the support of all our members.
VISIT TO REPTON SCHOOL GROUNDS – 19th JUNE
Thirty five members assembled at the School Arch under threatening skies for this event which was jointly led by Paul Stevens and John Ward. The idea was to look at some of the “hidden” areas of Repton School which the public very rarely see. We were taken through the Churchyard and into the Hall driveway passing the graves of a number of former Headmasters on the way. We paused to consider that many years ago this was the only area where the pupils could play. Their football goalposts were the gateposts near the Hall and at the Arch. From here we moved into the Garth and saw the Roll of Honour and the war memorial. It was horrifying to learn how many old Reptonians sadly perished in the first and second world wars. We finished at the Cricket Pavilion where we saw the large collection of photographs of well known players connected with Repton School. Members appreciated a very good evening.
VISIT TO FOREMARK CHURCH AND FOREMARK HALL 7TH AUGUST
We were fortunate to have this meeting on a superb summers’ evening. Forty members assembled at the front of Foremark Hall and our guide, Julian Hawtree, led us through the grounds to St Saviour’s Church stopping at different points to consider the history of the area and the sort of people would have inhabited it. He took us through the Bakewell gates into the Church yard before going into the historic building with its 3 deck pulpit.
He traced the history of the site including previous churches and Halls and the importance of the families owning the land. We then went to view the Ice House before coming back to admire the rear of the Hall and its architecture. We finished the evening off by going into the Hall, learning about the original uses of the various rooms and seeing the current uses. It was pleasing to see how well it is cared for and that it is being put to good use. Our thanks to Julian for giving us such an excellent talk and walk about this very important part of our local history. A collection in the church raised £110 for Foremark church funds.
OUR PROGRAMME FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2007
TUESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
This will be a “member’s evening” when several people will give thumbnail talks about their personal historic interests. Please note that the evening is not completely devoted to members, as usual, visitors will be very welcome. Sue Ellis will be telling us about her knowledge of the history of Newton Solney, Richard and Sheila Wain will be talking about the Wain family tree covering both Bretby and Repton and Alan Kimber will be showing some slides about his interest in Askew Workshops where parts of the original Morgan three-wheel car were assembled. He will also display photographs of Milton, Foremark and Ingleby.
TUESDAY 16TH OCTOBER
Glyn Wilton, Curator of Crich Tramway Village, will be giving an illustrated talk about the early history of trams concentrating on the pre-electric days. This promises to be an interesting evening.
TUESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF SPEAKER !!
Due to a cancellation by our advertised speaker, there is a change of subject for this meeting. Nick Roe, a local historian, will be giving an illustrated talk about THE STORY OF BURTON FLOUR MILL on Newton Road. Nick has a very extensive knowledge of his subject and will include the conversion of these historic buildings into apartments. As most of us pass the mill regularly, this should make an interesting evening.
SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER
“Coffee Morning”. This will be a joint event with Repton Village Society. RVHG will have a photographic display, Repton school art department will have a display of student’s work, there will be a “valuation session” by Charles Hanson, a tombola table will be offering a range of prizes for the winners and of course there will be the seasonal mince pies and coffee and tea. Admission is free so make a note in your Diary. All proceeds will go towards Repton Village Hall.
FRIDAY 7TH DECEMBER UNTIL MONDAY 10TH DECEMBER
We will be participating in the Christmas Tree Festival to be held in St. Wystan’s Church. Trees will be decorated to reflect the activities of the various groups and businesses of the participants. The purpose is to raise funds for St Wystan’s and for a Christmas Charity. It is understood that well in excess of 30 local groups are expected to participate.
OUR PROGRAMME FOR 2008.
We are currently putting the finishing touches to our programme to commence next January. This will be published around November. We believe that we are well on our way to providing an interesting programme delivered by good quality speakers.
RAFFLE AND PRIZES
If anyone has any unwanted items which are suitable for raffle or tombola prizes, we would be very grateful to receive them. We have an immediate need in the next 2-3 months for prizes for the Coffee morning tombola in December. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Village Hall which is an important location for us. However any prize for the raffles at our meetings will be received with thanks and these will help with the cost of running the group.
WEB SITE
Please remember that you can find out more about us at:
A.B.K. August 2007.
AN APPRECIATION OF OUR GUIDED TOUR OF FOREMARK BY JOHN WARD.
Tom Baker, an earlier “Doctor Who”, came to Repton when his son was at the Priory. Well, he returned recently to Foremark only this time he seemed to be called Julian Hawtree. He came to meet the Village History Group members and friends who, on a glorious summer’s evening were to have a leisurely stroll to St. Saviour’s Church and the Hall. NOT the Doctor Who style who, quickly getting us into his time machine, we set off.
The first 10 centuries went in a blink soon leaving behind Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings. Once safely in the Church an address from the three-decker pulpit brought us up to date with the Burdetts and the reformation and the building of the lovely Church.
Off now at a pace passing the little bridge where ice-creams were dispensed by Dr. Who - energy for the adventurous training and a 250 yard up hill dash to the top of the nearby stubble field to see the ancient ice house. Just time on the way back to take in the lovely view of the rolling landscape. So peaceful.
In fading light we assembled at the rear of the Hall to appreciate the Palladian style of building (nearly there now), round the next corner across our path and table laid out with glasses of wine. Just refreshment for the 77 step climb to the top of the Hall. Times running out now, back down passing through the main stair-case lined with paintings to the Saloon where tea and coffee were served.
What a journey, fast and furious adventure, full of information and surprises, massively prepared by Dr Who. Memorable is an inadequate word, thanks Julian Hawtree!
PS. If we make last orders at the “Boot”, I will know we have landed.
John Ward
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