MAY: The Clavering Women’s Group had a history tour round the village houses one evening. Our display boards on house history in Middle Street were loaned to the residents for their stall at the fete. The AGM of the History Group was held and a history report given at the Parish Annual Meeting. A geophysical survey was carried out on an archaeological site we have found, with interesting results - if only we could get a grant to dig! Joan Ludgate, sister of Eileen our late historian, sadly died in May – the Ludgates left us a tremendous historical legacy and their pioneering work forms the basis of the Clavering Local History Collection.
JUNE: The History Group’s oral history project continues with 25 interviews so far by Joy Barrow and Jane Laing, all of which produce new information and photographs. A group of about 30 Chipperfields had a family history reunion with a tour round the village, and gave a donation of £100 to the parish church funds. Work ongoing non-stop for the autumn exhibition, with the loan of WW2 items from Chrishall belonging to the late Irene Cranwell whose family also donated copies of her Clavering postcards.
JULY: Through the Wicken Bonhunt Recorder, we were given a large collection of Edwardian postcards by Chris Collins, relating to the Clavering Whyman family. These have been put into an album and organised by Jane Laing who kindly donated archival sleeves for their preservation. Huge amounts of work taking place for the exhibition, with masses of scanning, research and writing.
AUGUST: The third volume in the Clavering Remembered series, on Fred Sampford, was launched to add to those on Olwen Livings and George Barker. Fred’s family donated his album to the local archives. 40 new panels of 20th century history were completed for the exhibition to add to the existing 60.
SEPTEMBER: The Local History Exhibition on a 20th century theme was a great success, with almost 300 visitors from far and wide and the whole Christian Centre building full of history. A lot of new information has come our way through the exhibition and this is still being processed. History was also made the same weekend when the first woman priest in Clavering’s history, Rev Margaret Davis was installed in a packed church – see report on village website.
OCTOBER: The 8th annual evening class took place with Tony Kirby lecturing on town history followed by a guided tour of Letchworth – about 30 people joined the sessions. Peter Cooper launched his new walking guide, Discover Uttlesford, which includes Clavering among the routes. A descendant of the Poulter family called with a collection of photos and was subsequently interviewed for the oral history project.
NOVEMBER: On the 90th anniversary of its erection in 1921, the war memorial outside the Christian Centre was renovated in time for Remembrance Sunday. A new church guide leaflet in colour was researched and published in time for the 5th annual Eileen Ludgate Memorial Lecture with a talk about the church history – it is hoped everyone in the parish will buy one at £1 each on sale in church (this talk can be repeated for other groups in return for a donation to church funds). Next year’s Jubilee events were planned, including the opening of a Jubilee Nature Trail.
DECEMBER: The History Group held an open meeting to announce a test-pit archaeology dig will take place in spring (12th May 2012) funded by the Cultural Olympiad. Clavering is the only Essex village chosen to take part in this regional event, overseen by Dr Carenza Lewis. On the same evening No 4 in the Clavering Remembered series, on Fred Whyman, was launched. Next year the History Group plans to publish three more titles and the oral history project is ongoing. A new book about Clavering in wartime is also nearing completion.
Jacqueline Cooper – Clavering Local History Recorder
