Here is a summary of progress and achievements as at March 2006. The original 4 objectives have been achieved and exceeded thus:

• The oral reminiscences of selected village residents were converted into a professional standard book of 212 pages, including many pictures of the village and its residents.
• 1,000 books were printed and published locally in Dec 2003, and all sold within 8 weeks. Another 1,000 were printed in March 2004, of which over 600 have been sold to date.
• Free copies were issued to all contributors. The Oral History team sold large numbers locally, plus postal sales to Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Europe. Other sales outlets include local libraries and churches, Hylands House & Cressing Temple bookshops. Unfortunately High Street retailers are not interested in village histories.
• Allen Buckroyd has used the book as a basis for many PowerPoint presentations in Gt.Baddow, Galleywood, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford and at a National U3A Study Day on Oral History in London, backed up by members of the team. He has also produced a study pack and CD-ROM to guide any group contemplating an oral history.

All the members of oral history team have benefited from the skills learned during the project. We are now planning follow-up phases, with 3 objectives:

• To create a website www.greatbaddowhistory.co.uk. This is already registered and created, but not yet published. Hopefully Internet sales of the book will follow.
• To create a Village Archive, using the wealth of data generated locally and world-wide through book sales to date.
• To create a Great Baddow Historical Society. Hopefully this will attract members from all age groups in the village (not just retired residents in the U3A). We need people capable and willing to carry out further research on village history.

As a result of the work carried out on this project, on 21st Jan 2006 Allen was presented with the Great Baddow Centenary Award 2005 by Cllr Duncan Lumley, Mayor of Chelmsford.