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Braishfield Memories
Location: Hampshire
Braishfield in Hampshire was once a predominantly farming community. The idea for a project to produce a book arose from a widespread desire for a village history to mark the Millennium. It was felt, however, that it would more inclusive to capture the memories of those who lived in the village in the past century which would involve more people in the project. It has become a collection of individual village voices which should be recognisable to those who knew them.
The first meeting of the Braishfield Memories Committee was on 8th May 1998. Five and a half years and an enormous learning curve later, the book was published on 14th November 2003.
Braishfield was transformed in the twentieth century from a self-contained, agricultural village into the present day community whose livelihoods are further afield. Gone are the manual skills of the countryside captured so vividly in Braishfield Memories. This book, stimulated by the village's desire for a lasting millennium landmark, preserves characters, customs and scenes drawn from the memories of 38 contributors.
Included in the 240 page book are: memories of the village compiled and edited from interviews and written memories of 38 people who have lived in the village over the past 100 years; 267 photos collected from over 70 sources spread throughout the book, with 8 special photographic sections on vanished buildings, school, farming, people, village organisations, teams, buildings, events; a brief history of the village; 11 line drawings by Braishfield artist, Alan Olden.
The project was supported by a grant from the Countryside Agency via the Local Heritage Initiative of £12,761, which was offered in June 2000. The publication of the book is one part of a four-part project which covered:
1. The publication of a book of village memories.
2. Two exhibitions of photographs collected during the compilation of the Memories project
to which around 350 people came. They enabled the group to access many more photographs and make valuable contacts thus drawing more people into the project. Around 700 photographs were collected relating to the social and geographical heritage of the village which otherwise might have been lost.
3. An exhibition at the book launch by the school children about the evolution of their school from a Victorian village school into a modern primary school.
4. The creation of an archive of the most important of the nearly 700 photographs. Greg Smith, Archive Photographer with the Imperial War Museum, has copied 200 photographs in large format. A positive and negative copy will be lodged with the Hampshire Record Office along with all the information collected about them.
The committee consists of a core of six people: Sue Buxton, Tessa Allen, Hannah Boothman, Ann Chant, Jill Fahy and Rosie Groves. Hannah, Ann and Jill are retired teachers, Tessa is a solicitor, Rosie is a systems analyst and Sue was a stockbroker. Only Rosie, who joined the group in April 2002, has any previous experience in the publishing field.
To receive a copy of the book send £14.00 plus postage (see below) and packing (£1.00) to:
Braishfield Memories
Braishfield Lodge
Romsey
Hampshire SO51 0PS
Tel: 0044 (0)1794 368 261
Postage rates at 1st May 2004
Standard parcel rate for 1000g
UK £ 3.46
Prices for multiple copies will vary
For further information on postage rates, including overseas rates visit www.royalmail.com
Group Name |
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Braishfield Millennium Committee |
| Project Contact |
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Braishfield Memories
Braishfield Lodge
Romsey
Hampshire SO51 0PS
Tel: 0044 (0)1794 368 261
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| Address |
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Braishfield, Hampshire |
| Finishing Date |
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1 July 2004 |
| Local Community Involvement / Partnerships: |
| Braishfield School, local organisations, village clubs, parish council |
| Grants: |
Heritage Lottery Fund: £12,761
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