June 2026
The history group usually likes to promote good news, but sadly bad news dominates this month.
One of our long-standing members, Mary Russell, passed away recently. Mary was one of the first members to sign up way back in 2015 when we first started and has been a member ever since. Mary regularly attended our events and even during her last year, she still paid her subscription even though she was too ill to attend. She will be sadly missed, and our thoughts go out to her family.
For some time now the history group has had concerns regarding its financial situation. Running the group relies solely on membership subscription and entry fees at each event. We have never really recovered since Covid lock down and since then membership subscription and visitor numbers have dropped significantly.
We now find ourselves in an untenable position with outgoings far exceeding income. We have looked carefully at the figures and identified three of our biggest outgoings. The hire of the village hall and our subscription to Microsoft Office are both needed and we could not run without them.
The third item is our website which we have to pay monthly for our Domain name, hosting and maintenance. The Web site is not essential for the running of the group and careful consideration has been given to its viability. We are currently in discussion with the provider and have come to a temporary agreement until September regarding the running costs. We will then consider our options.
Membership subscription and entry fees have remained constant for many years. It is now proposed for an increase to take place as from the AGM in November 2026. November being the due date for subscriptions. Again, this decision has not been taken lightly, and the increase will be announced shortly.
We really do need your support. The history group consists of just four hard working people. Your support could be as a committee member or simply helping at each event. We also need signed up members and paying visitors on the day. Without your support we cannot continue.
2026 membership subscription is now due. You can renew at any of the events or pop your subs in an envelope at 4 Lutterworth Road, Gilmorton. Remember to include your contact details. Still good value for money at £10 for the year. You will receive a monthly newsletter, free entry to all regular events and first chance to any ticketed event.
As reported in the last newsletter our event in JUNE had to be cancelled. We had planned to replace it with an event about Gilmorton beer festival.
Available material is limited and we could not put on a full-blown event with such limited material. Having spoken to the beer festival organisers, we are planning a display about the beer festival but, it will be on display in August at the beer festival itself, thus supporting the beer festival.
SEPTEMBER – To coincide with National Heritage week we are joining forces with Gilmorton church.
Heritage Week is held nationally by museums and history related groups and organisations and entry is free for visitors. The event will be held in the church itself and will be open from Tuesday 15th September and most displays will remain for the week. All opening dates and times will be confirmed nearer the event.
NOVEMBER – Wednesday 11th only – “Polish Settlement Camps” Bozena Kunzewicz will be a guest speaker on the Wednesday morning ONLY and will give a talk on the Polish settlement in the UK and especially the displaced Poles after the war in camps such as the one at Husbands Bosworth.
The quiz question for May was: In which Jubilee did Gilmorton gain 1.7 acres?
The correct answer was Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee and first name out of the draw was Suzanne Hudson of Gilmorton. Congratulations to Suzanne who wins a £20 M & S gift card.
NOTE: Several of the entries submitted gave Jubilee Wood as the answer. Yes, Gilmorton did gained Jubilee Wood, but the question asked in which Jubilee did we gain 1.7 acres and not what was gained.
The quiz question for JUNE is – What links a wood to a porch?
Answers by e-mail to
All correct entries go into the draw for the prize.
Don’t forget that the quiz is based on the two Gilmorton display boards. One situated on the front wall of the village hall and the other is in the recreation ground near the entrance to the tennis courts on Lutterworth Road. The quiz is open to everyone. You don’t have to be a member to enter.