Gilmorton History Group Newsletter
May 2024
Our last event - Growing up in Gilmorton was disappointingly low on visitor numbers. The whole event was a success though, mainly due to some of those who did attend were chanced with meeting up with old friends and acquaintances.
One such chance meeting was George Woodward who was born in the village meeting up a very old friend that of John Blake who was also born here. George attended on the Tuesday night and learned that John was to attend on the Wednesday morning so he came back for a second visit. They spent the whole morning reminiscing.
Another sight to behold was that of a local resident attempting to play Hopscotch. It just goes to prove that hopscotch is a young person’s pastime. That’s what makes our events so worthwhile.
We are now fully ready for our commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the D Day landings and as a break from tradition it will be a one-day event on Saturday 1st June. The village hall will be open for visitors from 10.00am – 3.00pm.
If you have any memorabilia, photos or stories about the D Day landings please let us know and we can include it in our displays. We will be decking up the village hall with bunting and flags and refreshments will be on hand for the whole day. Hot and cold snacks and alcoholic drinks will be available from our lovely village shop too should you feel inclined.
Videos will be running along with war time music. Our displays will cover how and why D Day happened, the “Five Beaches”, the “Little Ships”, the British Normandy Memorial, personal stories and much more.
The Lutterworth branch of Royal British Legion will be in attendance complete with their Standard Bearer.
Unfortunately, the organisers of Red Arrows and/or other military aircraft have been in contact with us and advised we have been unsuccessful in the application for inclusion in a fly past on the day. We did try!
Our September event is now confirmed will be on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th September and will be all about the school and to coincide with the school’s 250th Anniversary. Our displays will show from the schools logbooks how easy it was to be absent from school and from the school menu book what was presented to children for meals. You may be surprised.
The 5/6th November sees our event all about the church and its vicars. Quite a controversial subject and includes old newspaper articles about some good vicars and some who may have chosen “the wrong path”.
Attention all you quizzers. On Monday 10th June The Crown will be hosting a general knowledge charity quiz night. It will be organised and run by the Crown with profits going to the history group funds. Please note that tickets (£12 pp including food) are only available from the Crown or the history group on 07759 154541. Payment by cash or bank transfer. The quiz is open to the general public so get your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Food options are Chili or veggie curry.
Last month’s newsletter saw a notice about the history group for new committee members. We are still on the lookout for suitable people to join us on the committee. The role is quite varied with regular committee meetings and our biggest workload – that of preparing for our five main events through the year which can include research, interviews, writeups etc.
There is always ongoing work to do in preparing and organising our considerable archives in preparation for uploading to our website.
Attendance on the days of events is always useful from setting up the displays, greetings on the door, chatting to visitors and even help with refreshments.
You need no special skills though basic computer skills are useful and need no prior knowledge of Gilmorton and its history as that comes quite quickly.
So, if you feel you could be part of the team and get involved in Gilmorton’s fascinating history, we would love to hear from you.
Annual membership is now due. Renewal is easy, it is still only £10 for the year and is available at any of our events giving you free entry to our regular events, a monthly newsletter, and first chance at any ticketed event. Non-members are just £3 pp on the day with the usual free refreshments thrown in.
Alternatively, you can pop your renewal in an envelope and drop it in at 4 Lutterworth Road, Gilmorton. Simple!
History Group contacts:
Bob Morris 01455 553453 Pete Jackson: 01455 559397 (Mobile 07795 481736)
Email: