Newsletter November / December 2023
And yet another unexpected email arrived in our Inbox recently from a lady named Kate Hale from the London area who was researching her family history. The email was a request for information about her relative who used to live in Gilmorton. And, once again emails back and forth brought to light that she is a relative of Fred Tansley who was the wheelwright/carpenter who lived in Tansley’s Thatch (next door to the village hall). This is the second person who has made contact with us recently with the key connection being Fred Tansley.
Kate attended our last event and was given a 7-page document about the Tansley’s which we had filed in our archives. It’s great to see that we can help with folk’s research.
Our last event “Tales of the Unexpected” went down well and a huge thanks to Tom Phillips telling his tales of spooky and strange happenings around the area and for making it a huge success. He brought along his own children’s books that he had published and soon sold out along with a signing or two.
We are already looking forward to our first event in 2024. On February 13/14th is an event entitled “Weddings and Bells” which is planned to coincide with Valentine's Day.
ATTENTION PLEASE. We are looking for couples who were married in Gilmorton Church or Chapel. If you or a family member were married in the Church or the Chapel and would like to be included in our displays, please let us know. It could be a special story, how you met or just photographs of your wedding day. We would love to have them on display. Please be assured that any original photos/documents will be scanned and the originals returned promptly, ensuring their safety.
Apart from our own static displays we will have a video running of the 2009-13 church bell restoration project and on the Tuesday evening ONLY we have specially invited guests. The Stanwick Handbell Ringers will be bringing a 4-in hand group to perform for us with the chance for visitors to ‘have a go’. Also, for our displays we have the promise, from the owner and wearer, of her original wedding dress which is now 63 years old! That’s the dress, not the owner.
Fact File: Did you know that back in 1888 there was a group of handbell ringers in Gilmorton? They performed at a wedding in Dunton Bassett under the conductorship of Mr Shadrack Matthews.
The quiz/treasure hunt which ran through the summer months has now ended. The winners are:
1st Place £25 – Brian and Kathy Wain 2nd Place £10 – Alex and Steve Bouchard
3rd Place 1 year membership to the history group – Taish Haithton.
Congratulations to all three winners and a huge thankyou to all those who “had a go”.
After long deliberation we can now confirm our 2024 event dates:
February 13/14th – Weddings and Bells
April 16/17th – Growing up in Gilmorton
June 1st (Saturday) – 80th Anniversary D Day Landings (whole village community event at the pavilion)
This is in conjunction with the Parish Council and other village groups but organisation is still very much in the early stages. More details on this when they emerge.
September 10/11 – Heritage Week – Coinciding with National Heritage Week events (6-15th Sept)
November 5/6th – Church News – An in depth look at the church and its vicars from 1700s – present.
November 19th – AGM 2024
It is also time for you to think about renewing your membership for 2024. You can renew at any of our regular events. This is still just £10 for the year and for that you get free entry to all regular events. You get a monthly newsletter, early notification of upcoming events and first chance with any ticketed events. You can also pop £10 (per person) in a sealed envelope with your contact details and drop it in at No. 4 Lutterworth Road, Gilmorton.
We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help out at our events. If you can help in any way with setting up, putting away after the event, greeting people on the door or helping with refreshments please let us know. Any help will be appreciated.
And finally, the history group committee would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you for your continuing support. Without members, visitors and helpers we would not be able to function. A special thank you must go to Pat and Barbara for all the help they give especially in the kitchen.
See you all again in 2024