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The People of Olveston in War
The People of Olveston in War: Progress
The People of Olveston in Peace.
Olveston Parish Historical Society Book Launch
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The People of Olveston in Peace.
Location: South Gloucestershire
The Quakers in Olveston and surrounding area.
The Quaker (Society of Friends) movement was strongly represented in this area from its early days in the late 1600s until the late 1800s. The Quaker Sturge family owned houses in Olveston and nearby villages through this period. Eric Garrett, the archivist and a leading member of Olveston Parish Historical Society, has been interested in this aspect of our local history for many years. This has led to him establishing close contact with present-day descendents of the Sturge family, nearly 200 of whom make a pilgrimage to their local roots in these villages every 25 years. One of these Pilgrimages, as they are known, was on the weekend of 23rd July this year. and was attended by more than 150. Eric gave the visitors a guided tour of the one-time Quaker houses and other sites of interest. Copies of Eric's book (see below) were passed to the visitors and given to the present owners of the houses.
Eric produced for OPHS, with the support of Millennium “Awards for All” funding a short pamphlet “Brief History Trail” as a guide to the Quaker sites in the area. This was eventually published in 2004 and its contents are included in the OPHS website.
The LHI funded project – “The people of Olveston in Peace and War” has provided an opportunity to investigate the activities of these early “Peace Activists” in our area. The information summarised in the “Brief History Trail” has been expanded into a much more substantial book, with valuable inputs provided by Peter Sturge. Many members of the community helped Eric in the preparation of the book.
Photographs of the historic sites and buildings, and documentary material, will be shown at a public exhibition in St Mary's Church, Olveston on 2nd November and to Olveston School and Tockington Manor School on the following day.
Eric gave a talk on the Quaker presence in the village to Olveston School on 4th July.
Copies of the book will be given to local history groups, schools and anyone interested, which should increase knowledge of an important part of our community’s history.
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