 |
|
|
|
|
Melbourn Village History Book
Location: Cambridgeshire
A conversation took place one morning between an elderly gentleman and two people out for a walk. The gentleman was reminiscing about old times in Melbourn and his knowledge of local history was vast. What if we could put all this knowledge into a book – collecting anything and everything from local people for prosperity before it was lost?
A group of people had worked together on a book celebrating the millennium in Melbourn and successfully put together a publication which was given free to every household in Melbourn. It received a wonderful response and we wondered if our history book could take on these lines.
We formed a committee and outlined our aims. The question of finance was at the forefront. It was going to be costly to produce and although we were confident the book would be popular – even with sponsorship we could not raise the amount required to support a serious project. The book should be given away, free to every household in the village as with the millennium book.
We decided to approach the Local Heritage Initiative for help – outlined our intentions showing that we believed that the production of the book would benefit the community, schools and libraries including the County Council Archives and the Cambridge Collection which specialises in local history.
By this time we had announced our intention through articles in the local magazine, asking people to come forward with any artefacts, photos and memorabilia they may have up to the 1950s. We were inundated and together with old lantern slides, we felt that there was scope for ongoing projects besides the publication. This was put forward to the Lottery Heritage Commission.
We were granted help enabling us to promote our intention by a series of exhibitions over the next two years. In light of the conversation that first sparked the idea, it was thought that getting the older generation of the village together would help produce memories and stories of life gone by. So two tea parties were held where the locals chatted over tea and cakes – guided by questions from a group member and recorded with professional equipment. Not only would the conversations be helpful to the history research but later would be edited and placed onto a CD, preserving the voices of village characters and their memories. A copy of the CD would be give each book and again would be free.
We have over the past two years accumulated over 1000 photographs many of which are not in local archive establishments. There are, of course, too many to include in the history book and so we have decided to produce another book – a ‘Photo Album’ – to include as many as possible of the photos. It will serve as a photographic record of the history of Melbourn and will be financed by subscription of those wishing to purchase. No profit is to be made and there will be a limited edition.
Each member of the group was given a subject to research over 18 months and all the information was reported on during monthly group meetings where progress was assessed.
The production of our history book has been looked upon with great interest by The Cambridge Collection, County Archives and University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and it completion is eagerly awaited by them and the residents of Melbourn alike.
We have many ideas for ongoing projects that will keep the community spirit alive. With the vast amount of information collected we have sufficient material for future publications and the possibility of an interactive CD is being researched.
Group Name |
|
Melbourn Village History Group |
| Project Contact |
|
history@melbourn.org.uk |
| Address |
|
Melbourn, Cambridgeshire |
| Project Postcode |
|
SG8 6DX |
| Finishing Date |
|
December 2004 |
| See also |
|
Melbourn Village History Group website |
| Grants: |
Heritage Lottery Fund: £21,948
|
|
|
|
|
