Purpose of the Recorders
The Local
History
Recorders scheme originated in Sussex
in the 1950s, and was taken up by other counties including Essex
and promoted initially by the Community Council of Essex. It evolved,
however,
into an autonomous body, albeit linked to the Essex Congress. The size
of Essex made it
difficult for far-flung Recorders to keep
in touch, and so in 1998 the Essex Recorders decided to set up branches
in each
district including Uttlesford. In 2003 it became a fully constituted
organisation with the aims to record the present, and to ensure that
valuable
archives and artefacts of the past are not destroyed. This can be
broken down
into six inter-related functions: To
be a chronicler of current events, not well
recorded elsewhere.
-
To
report heritage finds to the appropriate body
(such as record office, museum, etc).
-
To
attempt to secure preservation or at least
copies of documents and photograph artefacts.
-
To
be a history adviser, returning information to
the community, on available resources.
-
To
keep in touch with heritage bodies, so that they
are aware of what is happening locally.
-
to
be guardians of local
information originals or in
duplicate
Most
of the 57
parishes in
Uttlesford are represented by a Recorder and they are encouraged to
pursue
their own priorities as to what they do and how much time they can
spend. The
only thing we like to have is an annual report on village history
events and
activities to send to ERO. Other projects can include:books, pamphlets and articles
on
village historyoral history interviewstranscription
of village
archivesexhibitions, pageants and playssurveys
– e.g field names,
gravestones, houses, war memorialsparish maps and village signs before-and-after photographs of
village developments photos of village events and
personalitieshelp school pupils with history
projectsshow visitors round the villagetry to answer genealogical
enquiries Recorders
are volunteers
and like everyone else have limited time, so in practice they tailor
the role
to their individual interests and resources. But whatever they do,
Recorders
play a vital role, as the preservation and communication of historical
knowledge is a vital part of our sense of identity and well-being, our
willingness to raise funds for village causes and, when necessary, to
provide
evidence and give us confidence to speak out in defence of threatened
heritage.
RUH supports Recorders in the following
ways:
-
workshops
on useful skills such as
constructing websites
-
occasional
talks such as how to
date photographs
-
use of
the ruth database specially
designed for village archives
-
loan of
equipment for presentations such
as ohp digital projector
scanners etc
-
regular
e-news bulletins with useful
information & occasional
newsletters
-
a
resource pack with useful
addresses and material for
projects
-
visitor’s
cards which emphasise the Recorders’ local role
-
support
in any local queries and
problems
-
access
to advice about conservation
and storage of archives
-
occasional
meetings to discuss matters
of mutual interest
-
continuity
when Recorders retire
-
the
chance to be part a
wider network of historians
-
with local resource centres
such as Saffron Walden town library, museum
and ERO
-
to deposit annual reports on
village life in ero
The RUH has
close links to Saffron
Walden
Museum
the Town Library and Essex Record Office. Recorders are encouraged to
work
closely with their local parish councils and local history societies.
The RUH
is run by a committee, who largely communicate by email, with
occasional
meetings. The current committee are: Jacqueline Cooper (chair & Clavering Recorder), Fiona Bengtsen (treasurer & Manuden Recorder), Kate McManus (secretary & Chesterfords Recorder), Gordon Ridgewell (Saffron Walden Recorder), David Evans (Newport Recorder), Debbie Lowe (Wicken Bonhunt Recorder), with Rosemarie Gant and Peter Upson as ex-officio members advising on IT.
For
further details please contact the chairman
