Well, Christmas is a long and distant memory but we are off to a flying start with a bumper edition of the newsletter for February. 

Firstly, we must congratulate ourselves as this year is our 10th anniversary. We started back in 2015, unsure of the way forward, amateurish with our first displays and not much in the way of a committee. All this has changed over the years and to celebrate, our first event in February will be looking back over the past ten years and it will all be told through our displays.

 

We had planned to run an Attfield’s film show in February but they are unable to offer their services for about a year! Hence the first change to our planned 2025 events.

 

February 1st will also see the launch of a photographic competition. This will run throughout the first part of 2025 with a closing date of 31st August. It is open to everyone and all entries will displayed at the November event Pictorial Gilmorton. Prizes will be awarded to two categories, one for adults and one for under 16s. Rules regarding entries are attached so get those cameras out and get shooting.

 

Another change to our planned events – This year sees the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8th May. All our war related events are always well attended so we can’t let this one go by. Events are being held nationally and include church bells to be rung at 6.30pm, lighting of the memorial lamp and beacons at 9.30pm together with the singing of the national hymn “I vow to thee my country” and much more. 

This event will be run on the actual day – Thursday 8th May in the village hall from 12.00 noon to 7.00pm. Closing at 7.00pm will give everyone chance to be at the Playing Fields for the proposed beacon lighting.  More details about this as they emerge.

 

Over the past year the history group has been looking at a project to install a Village Information Board (VIB). This will be located within the village boundary and give information about the village, buildings, pathways, nature etc.  A lot of work has been going on in the background looking at suppliers, costs, location and content etc. and recently an application was submitted to Harborough Council Heritage for a grant to foot the cost and we have been successful in the application. Their minimum grant is £5,000 which based on estimates would be enough to supply two VIBs.

 

One criterion is that we have to match the grant by 10% meaning we have to come up with about £600. The Parish Council are in agreement with our proposals and have confirmed that the £600 will come from windfarm funding.

 

There is still a considerable amount of work to carry out before the VIBs are installed but John Buckle, who has taken the lead on the project, must be thanked for his considerable hard work over the year to get to this stage. Our April event will be the official launch of the VIB and our displays will show what it is all about.

 

The next event in September will be TRANSPORT and it will be looking at transport in the village over the years. We hope to have some classic cars and motorcycles on display in the car park. 

 

And finally Pictorial Gilmorton November 4/5th where we will have our own pictorial displays about Gilmorton coupled with the photographic entries. 

 

Our full and revised schedule for 2025 is:

 

 

 

The history group is still on the lookout for suitable people to join us on the committee. Help is needed even more so as Jen, one of our committee members, is soon leaving the area. This means our committee will very soon be down to just three!!!  Alternatively, if you feel you could offer any help without being committed to a committee you are just what we need.

 

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.

 

 

 

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

 

 

 

Start date will be Saturday 1st February 2025 and will run through the year until the closing date Sunday 31st August 2025.

 

Two categories = Adults and Children’s (up to 16 years).

 

Entry to include (on reverse side) - name, age if under 16, address, contact details, brief description of entry.

 

The preferred entry is via a printed hard copy but digital entries can be made via the history groups email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

Content must be within the Gilmorton Parish boundaries.

 

Content can be of people (individuals or groups), animals, roads, buildings, wildlife, farms etc.

 

Entries can be submitted in sealed envelope at any history group event or at No. 4 Lutterworth Road, Gilmorton.

 

We are unable to return photographs but entries can be removed at end of the event – 12.00 noon Wednesday 5th November.

 

Entry to the competition means you agree to the possibility of your entry being placed on the history groups website or used in other publications.

 

Entries will be judged independently and winners notified accordingly.

 

There will be prizes for each category.