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How we started
The participants
The pleasure principle
The end result
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The end result
Location: Essex
A community project of this kind presents many opportunities. Knowledge has been acquired; Latin, typing and research and IT skills have been brushed up and friendships forged. Ancient houses have been opened to new visitors in the course of our studies and as venues for meetings, and we have learned to look more carefully and thoughtfully within our own neighbourhood.
For all involved there has been an increased appreciation of our unique villages with their listed buildings of which we have an exceptionally high density. Written and illustrated in the book is the history we found. Hopefully it is a fitting tribute to the energy and effort involved. The book can be enjoyed by many, as although it is based on Littlebury, the history for the parish is in many respects similar to many rural communities throughout the country.
The sense of satisfaction for all those involved is palpable and the remembered pleasure of working together should enhance further activities within the parish of Littlebury. It is a pleasure to have observed disparate personalities, who might not otherwise, perhaps ever, have been involved with each other, find a topic of common interest and continue to collaborate.
The future
As a result of their studies and involvement in this project the leaders are in the process of giving three talks (to different bodies). One member continues to publish from time to time in the Saffron Walden Historical Journal. Two other members who have become expert in discovering the history of old houses will be disseminating their knowledge at an open day at the Local Access Point in Saffron Walden this month. On the same day the group will man a stand to display and sell the books and items of interest. The interest in House History is ongoing and we hope to continue to attract the kind attention of Adrian Gibson to advise us on this unique heritage.
A ‘Beating the Bounds’ day, an archaeological dig and a further fieldwalk are planned. Saving the acquired archive is ongoing and the publication of leaflets a possibility. Since new information continues to be acquired the publication of a second edition may become desirable and sales of books will be useful to finance these further projects. We hope that the high quality of the book will aid us as amateurs in being taken seriously when we need professional help with these future projects. The book sells and continues to sell well, already over 200 have sold locally –the proof of the pudding –within one calendar month.
The local bookshop says it was the Christmas best seller. We could hardly ask for more justification for all the effort that has gone into the making of it. Ongoing is the benefit to the community in bringing to a wide readership a history of which we can all be proud.
Conclusion
This was an ambitious project which has, thankfully, come to a successful conclusion. The Parish of Littlebury Millennium Society constitution requires that the society ‘foster good neighbourliness’ and the leaders feel that this project has not only fulfilled this criterion but has added to the general knowledge and delight in our heritage and history.
The leaders hope that it has also complied with the requirements of the Local Heritage Initiative to which it owes gratitude for the release from fund raising activities and for being able to enjoy the confidence funding gives to all concerned, that a project will be completed satisfactorily, all other factors being equal.
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