Local History Event, June 21st - 23rd 2007

Four Hundred Years : Five Hundred Visitors!




SP&JARA's Exhibition on the History of South Cheltenham, held in St Philip and St James' Church 21 to 23 June, attracted over 500 visitors, many of whom made repeat visits over the three-day period. For older residents, the panels brought back vivid memories of school days, of war-time rationing, of pubs or dairies which are now closed. For children, there was the amusement of writing with stylus on slate, as the Victorian children did.

Many people contributed to the exhibition. Displays came from the Local History Societies of both Leckhampton and Cheltenham. Children from St James' School showed a fine study of how Bath Road had changed since 1900, and a lovely series of ceramic models of shop-fronts on that road. People made spontaneous offers of photographs, pub-signs, a stirrup pump from World War II, skittles and jugs from the Brown Jug pub, and much else. Perhaps we should set up a local museum !

Alongside the exhibition were four events - Victorian songs in Victorian costume by children of St Philip and St James Playgroup; Maypole dancing by girls from St James' School; a guided tour of South Town; and an evening of talks in the Church, which attracted over 100 people.

We will welcome reactions and ideas on local history. The Exhibition is in durable form, and we expect to show it all again some time soon. We are also working on a book version.

If you have things to offer, or want information, please contact Michael Dower at mdower@waitrose.com or telephone 01242 226511