PURSE CAUNDLE HISTORY DAY & VILLAGE PICNIC 2009 SUCCESS

Here are photographs taken of my Purse Caundle History Day Exhibition, held at St. Peter's church on Saturday, 27th June 2009, which has finally come and gone. The four ladies in the first photograph, reading from right to left are: my wife (and joint-Lord), our eldest daughter with her younger and elder daughters (the latter being our eldest granddaughter and who is expecting our third great grandchild).

What a hectic time it has been. Several months in the preparation. Then on the Day visitors started coming into the church whilst I was still in a frenzy of setting up the display boards, etc. Through being busy talking with many of the visitors I lost count of how many actually came during the day, but it must have been over 50. These included not only those from the village itself, but from other villages and towns near and far. There had been a certain amount of pre-publicity, including a lengthy illustrated article in the local weekly newspaper, all of which helped to generate active interest. As not all the village's 1,000-year history could be displayed on the boards, folders giving more detailed information were available on the relevant pews, which seemed to be well consulted.

Particularly gratifying was the sight of ex-villagers greeting old friends and neighbours. I had met one elderly lady visitor a couple of weeks previously, and been able to take digital photographs of her parents' early 20th century photographic portraits; her mother's 1899 sampler completed when at the Purse Caundle school; and a mourning-brooch given to her mother c.1905 by the lady in the manor house - all of which photographs were on display. I was able to introduce her to the farmer now living in her parents' old farm, and later noticed them still deep in conversation and looking over her extensive family tree.

Another elderly lady I had previously met who had lived after WW1 in the village, she also came along, and she and her daughter were able to assist by putting names to faces in family photographs.

I was luckily able to assist one visitor with his family history query. Some of my metal-detecting finds were on display, which found interest, as did the genealogical books for sale.
Kind donations of some correspondence, and a few artifacts were gratefully received, which will need to be followed-up before appropriate insertion into the History.
Ex-village family relatives unexpectedly found they were having mini-reunions, which added to the pleasures of the event. A goodly sum had been donated by the end of the day which went to help church funds.

  The Village Picnic in Church farm next door apparently also went well, with a large profit additionally going towards church funds. Unfortunately it was not possible to persuade Morris Men to come along.
I was only able to pop along towards the end when both events had more or less finished. It was then that a lady from the Press came along, but she was able to take photographs of myself and the lady mainly responsible for organising the Picnic.
  The photos below are of Picnic revellers and participants in the sack-race.

The photo below is of my youngest daughter, with one of her nieces.

  I wish to thank all those who helped in any way to the Day's success: the Rector and Parochial Church Council for allowing me to hold the Exhibition in the church; the Parish Council for assisting with finance for the Picnic and Portaloo; the farmer for providing the field for the Picnic, the car-park signs, and for allowing the Portaloo to be parked in his farmyard; the villagers who organised and assisted at the Picnic; to all those who cleaned and nicely decorated the church beforehand; and to all those who came along and attended the events, especially those who assisted me in providing further village historical material. Lastly, to my dear wife - and joint-Lord - who loyally supported me throughout the experience, and for family members who came along on the Day.