Local History Group Events Page

01/06/2004

The Group has continued to operate on a low-key basis run by the three Trustees.

One meeting has been held attended by 75 people. The meeting was to launch a rather extraordinary book - Diary of a Poor Suffolk Woodman - which was based on the diary of William Scarfe who lived in Moat Cottage and recorded events in Thorpe Morieux and surrounding villages between 1827-42 There was a fascinating talk by one of the authors, Pip Wright, and then everyone enjoyed tea and delicious home-made cakes.

•           We continue to keep a photographic record of the Village and are still keen to receive copies of old photographs, documents, etc - initial contact via email first. We can arrange to have photographs, etc. copied so the originals can remain with the owners.

•           There is a continuing demand for the Millennium booklets - we now have (as at 6 May 2004) 42 booklets remaining from the original 500 printed. If anyone would like a booklet, please contact us via email with name, address and daytime telephone number. (Price: £4, free for new residents.)

•           We also continue to deal with enquiries - for example, Pip Wright made extensive use of our archives and there are often enquiries from people researching their family histories.

•            Members continue their search for artefacts using both the Group’s and their own metal detectors - to date nothing of great interest has been found. Should anyone make a find of interest - do let us know so we can keep a record of it. Don’t forget, the Group’s metal detector is available to everyone in the village - contact us initially via email.

•           There is also a substantial library of relevant books bought from Group funds available to everyone in the village. To borrow a book/books, contact via email.

•           The Group owns a slide projector and screen which is available for use by groups within the village - a small donation would be appreciated.

The Trustees are responsible for authorising expenditure. Any member of the Group can put forward a request - they would be expected to complete a short form covering:

•            Purpose of expenditure - how it would contribute to the aims of the Thorpe Morieux Local History Group

•           Details of how the money would be spent.

•            Outcomes resulting from the expenditure.

After the money has been spent, the member would be asked to submit a short report on what had

been achieved. All residents of the Village are deemed to be members of the Group so as to

open up the opportunities for getting involved as widely as possible.

There has been no significant call on the funds since we last reported. Last time we reported that we had made a commitment of £100 toward the publishing costs of the Diary mentioned above. The authors were having difficulty finding a publisher and had decided to try and self-publish. In the event, they were able to find a publisher and so the funds were not required. Over the period April 2002/2004, the small amount of income generated by the sale of the Millennium booklets has financed the costs of the archive - photocopying and storage folders, etc and membership of the Suffolk Local History Council. As at 31 March 2004 the funds stood at £948. The Trustees have prepared Accounts for 2002/4.

We would be grateful to have any views on the future running of the Group. The Trustees are willing to continue for another year, however if anyone would like to re-instate the Group on a more formal and active basis please contact the Trustees.

THE DIARY OF A POOR SUFFOLK WOODMAN

Having attended - with many others -  the Meeting of the Thorpe Morieux Local History Group on Sunday last (2nd May 2004), may I take this opportunity to thank the Local History Group Trustees and all those involved with the organising of this event. And not forgetting either the ladies who provided the delicious tea and cakes afterwards -  those treats are always a great incentive to attend village hall meetings!

The talk given by Pip Wright to launch his new book about the diary of William Scarfe, who lived in Thorpe Morieux in the early 19th century, was quite enthralling. The large audience sat in near perfect silence absorbing the tales of our own village and surrounds noted by William Scarfe, but often elaborated upon by Mr.Wright from newspaper articles and historical records of the time. Mr. Wright’s sense of humour and his ability to read some of the extracts in our own Suffolk accent greatly added to the general appeal, as did the knowledge that William Scarfe’s home was just across the road from our venue at the village hall.

Thank you to all concerned for a hugely successful, fascinating and entertaining afternoon. I look forward to further meetings of the Local History Group!

01/04/2004

01/04/2003

email: localhistory@thorpe-morieux.org.uk

01/10/2002

UPDATE ON THORPE M0RIEUX LOCAL HISTORY GROUP 

You will recall that about a year ago we wrote in Thorpe Times (September/October 2001 edition) and explained the new arrangements for running the Group. As it had not proved possible to fill the three officer positions of - Chair, Secretary, Treasurer - at the AGM in April 2001, it was agreed to operate on a more informal basis with the Group and its finances being administered by a small group of Trustees. e then. It was felt that there was still a lot of interest in, and enthusiasm for, continuing, however there was a need to reduce the overall commitment and for people to be able to concentrate on what interested them most.   

•    We continue to keep a photographic record of the Village and are still keen to receive copies of old photographs.

•    There is a continuing demand for the Millennium booklets - we now have only 56 booklets remaining from the original 500 printed. (Price: £4)

Over the last year the Group has continued on a low-key basis:

 •    One meeting has been held - a joint meeting with the Church - to show the slides of the Open Gardens event in the context of gardens and the environment of the past. All proceeds of that event went to the Church.

•    We continue to keep a photographic record of the Village and are still keen to receive copies of old photographs.

•    There is a continuing demand for the Millennium booklets - we now have only 56 booklets remaining from the original 500 printed. If anyone would like a booklet, please contact us. (Price: £4)

•    We also dealt with a number of enquiries - for example, one resident had an American friend who managed to trace his family back to Thorpe Morieux in the C15, an American lady seeking help to trace relatives in the village.

•   Individuals continue to research areas of interest, for example, wills of TM residents dating back to the C16.

•    Members continue their search for artefacts using both the Group’s and their own metal detectors - to date nothing of great interest has been found. Should anyone make a find of interest - do let us know so we can keep a record of it. Don’t forget, the Group’s metal detector is available to everyone in the village - contact us.

•    There is also a substantial library of relevant books bought from Group funds available to everyone in the village. To borrow a book/books, contact us!.

The Trustees are responsible for authorising expenditure. Any member of the Group can put forward a request - they would be expected to complete a short form covering:

•    Purpose of expenditure - how it would contribute to the aims of the Thorpe Morieux Local History Group

•    Details of how the money would be spent.

•      Outcomes resulting from the expenditure.

After the money has been spent, the member would be asked to submit a short report on what had been achieved.

All residents of the Village are deemed to be members of the Group so as to open up the opportunities for getting involved as widely as possible.

To date only one request for funds have been agreed. It is a commitment of £100 toward the publishing costs of a small book based on the writings of William Scarfe during the period of 1830 to 1840 who lived in Moat Cottage. It sounds as though it will be a really fascinating read -chronicling both events in Thorpe Morieux and the local area and national events. It is based on a diary that was kept on the pages of an old bible. The author, Pip Wright, was having difficulty finding a publisher and had decided to try and self-publish if he could raise some funds. We felt that it was a very worthwhile project and in return Pip will give a talk on the book - hopefully sometime early in the New Year. Look out for more details nearer the time.

The Trustees have prepared Accounts for 2001-2.

We would be grateful to have any views on the future running of the Group. The Trustees are willing to continue for another year, however if anyone would like to re-instate the Group on a more formal and active basis please contact the Trustees.

16th February 2001

Local History Group Meeting

At a well attended meeting we discussed a number of interesting issues:

1. Adopting a code of practice for metal detecting and a standard letter to landowners.

2. Setting up a library of books on local history with part of the remaining grant money.

3. Spending the remaining money on copying, etc of photographs and display books.

4. Co-sponsoring a competition - "moments in time".

5. Doing some initial research into the possibility of an archaeological dig.

6. The concept of a web site for the village

7. Holding a repeat showing of the successful slide show.

16th March 2001

Slide Show ( repeat by popular request ) to be held at the Village Hall at 7.30pm

Tickets £2 from email: localhistory@thorpe-morieux.org.uk

27th April 2001

Annual General Meeting at the Village Hall.

This meeting will elect the officers of the Group and decide on the subscription level.

Local History Group Meeting