Fairford History Society

Gloucestershire Annual Local History Afternoon, Saturday October 6th 2007

Religious non-conformity in Gloucestershire was the topic for this year’s meeting. About 20 local history societies from all over the county, including the FHS, brought their displays relating to non-conformity in their own particular area. Interestingly, Charlton Kings only had one chapel, whereas Fairford had at least five in the mid to late 19th Century. There were two informative talks: the first from the Rev Ernest Clark about John Wesley and George Whitefield, who were almost contemporaries at Oxford University and both members of the Society of Methodists movement but who developed their ideas in different ways. Both Wesley and Whitefield went to Georgia, USA as missionaries. Wesley came back after year but Whitefield maintained his strong links with the United States and returned many times and when he died there in 1770 he left the wish that if a memorial service be held in England that John Wesley should take the service, which was fulfilled. Both Whitefield and Wesley preached all over the Gloucestershire area.

The second talk was from Averil Kear from the Gloucestershire Record Office on ‘The Power of the Chapel’ relating to her own particular area of the Forest of Dean but it could have related to any area of the County. She gave the historical background of non -conformity in the late 17th Century when alternative religions were banned from 1662 until 1672 when Charles II attempted to introduce a greater degree of religious tolerance with his Declaration of Indulgence which Parliament forced him to withdraw.

The Nailsworth society won the prize for the best display. The Bryan Jerrard Award for the writer of the best published article on local history in the past year was won by an article about Early District Nursing in Gloucestershire by Carrie Howse in Gloucestershire History No 20, 2006.

LIZZIE FARMOR’S EDIFYING CIRCUS is coming to town!

This is the play everyone has been waiting to see! A clever mix of education and music history and comedy Funded by the Local Heritage Initiative and Written by Steven Deproost It is exciting, electrifying and edifying! Performances: 17, 18, 19 and 20 October in St Mary’s Church, Fairford Tickets cost: £5 (£4 for under 18’s) for centre seats £3 (£2 for under 18’s) for side aisles On sale at Fairford Post Office from 17 September Enquiries to: Alison Hobson on 01285 711768

Fairford Festival, 2007

Fairford Festival took place on the wonderful sunny weekend of June 2nd and 3rd. On the Saturday, in order to advertise ‘Fairford Now and Then’ Geoff Bishop as a former teacher and Patrick Hooper as a present teacher from Farmor’s School took part in the parade. FHS had a display in the marquee and there was an opportunity to buy the Society’s publications alongside Edwin Cuss’ nostalgic display and Colin Mouldon’s interesting collection of railway memorabilia.

FHS Garden Party, 26th May 2007

On Saturday 26th May the FHS Vice-President David Perry kindly offered to host a Garden Party for FHS members in the lovely garden of his house ‘Colnside’ in Horcott Road, Fairford. The weather forecast was not promising for the Bank Holiday weekend but although it was not brilliant sunshine and it wasn’t that warm, the rain held off until packing-up time. Everyone was able to enjoy their preferred drink and a lovely selection of cakes donated by members in a wonderful setting by the River Coln.

David displayed some interesting mementos of Fairford’s past in his summer house - including an old iron gate from Perry’s butchers shop (above). A raffle was held thanks again to generous donations from members who also bought a lot of tickets with the result that about £88 was raised. David and Jane were presented with a bunch of flowers and a triptych of images of ‘Colnside’ taken at different times of year taken by the FHS photographer as a ‘thank you’ for giving members an opportunity to view the property in its idyllic setting and being so helpful in hosting the event.(left)

Fairford Now and Then, 21 April 2007

Maurice Jones, the Town Crier at the Book Launch

On Saturday 21st April a most successful event was held to launch the new book published by the Fairford History Society. The event was attended by about 30 invited guests and quite appropriately took place under the ancient wooden rafters of the Council Chamber in London Street. Mr Keith Cottam, the Chairman of the Fairford History Society introduced Mr David Perry, the Society’s Vice President, whose family has lived in the town for six generations, and who officially launched the book in fine style. Mr Perry praised the Society, which has only been in existence for 3 years, and thanked the Chairman for the book, which will stir many old memories of the town and some of its inhabitants. The Chairman thanked the Town Council for the support it has given to the Society since it inception; the Mayor, Mrs Chris Roberts, responded and added her encouragement and appreciation for the work of the Society. See the Publications Page.

The book has been produced as part of the Fairford Community Play project to record education in the town and is funded by the Local Heritage Initiative. The play is to be staged in October and is called “Lizzie Farmor’s Edifying Circus”. The play is being directed by Barry Kilgariff who hopes to involve as many people in the town as possible, on stage and behind the scenes. Anyone interested in taking part in the play is invited to a read-through at 7.30 pm on May 14th at Farmor’s School Hall. Casting will take place the following week.

David Perry and Chairman Keith Cottam

Farmor's Free School - Fairford Community Centre, April 2007

Croome Lecture, Ashcroft Centre, Cirencester, Feb 28th 2007

'The Stained Glass of St Mary's Fairford: Conservator or Restorer' by talk by Keith Barley.

This was the title chosen by Keith Barley for the Croome Lecture held in the Ashcroft Centre on Feb 28th 2007. The hall was packed for this annual lecture organised jointly by Cirencester Archaeological and Historical Society and the Cirencester Civic Society. He spoke about St Mary's and its unique scheme of late medieval glass, and then he traced the subsequent interventions which began as early as the 16th century with damage to window 9. He took in the probable removal during the Civil War which would account for some misplacement when glass was returned, the consequence of the Great Storm of 1703 and the 19th century misguided replacement which was halted, not least by the efforts of Canon Carbonell "the unsung hero of 19th century restoration."

Keith spoke about, and illustrated his own early work at Stanford on Avon. At that stage any intervention was viewed with the greatest suspicion and the authorities wrote to him expressing forcefully the strict constraints under which he would have to work. Indeed they made it clear that if he went too far his career would be very short. He had a good academic adviser and collaborator and between them they managed to gradually loosen the shackles. He then outlined the principles that guided his work in Fairford: original glass would not be altered but could be made legible by attaching a backing plate (which could always be removed); where original glass was lost then he would try to match the context with new glass to complete a picture, whenever possible he would remove mending leads and edge-glue pieces; where he could identify pieces that had been moved he would try to restore them to their original site. The large audience that almost filled the hall thoroughly appreciated the lecture. They had been made to think about the fine line between conservation and restoration.
GH

Fairford Community Play, February 2007

The Fairford Community Play is progressing well. Steven Deproost, our author has now delivered the first draft of the play and it promises to be very entertaining, funny and informative. Without revealing to much we can tell you that it will be called ‘Lizzie Farmor’s Edifying Circus’ We are very grateful to Hugh Dudley, Nicky Clare, June Lewis and Colin Watkins for providing the research material for the project.

Farmor’s School are very actively involved in the play:

• Barry Kilgariff will direct it
• Tony Frewer will be the musical director
• Steve Martin will be contributing a section which will be written and performed by his GCSE pupils.
• Chris Roberts will handle publicity
• Ivor Price will be in charge of Health and Safety – an important function in a play with such a large cast
• Don and Barbara Cobbett will be producing the souvenir programme
• Keith Cottam and Geoff Hawkes will be writing a book entitled ‘Fairford Now and Then’

In the near future Barry will start the process of casting so budding Thespians should keep an eye and ear out if they want to take part. At the same time we will be approaching people to help with all the vital behind the scenes activities such as scenery, stage management and so on. We are very grateful for the assistance of FADS in the planning of the production and we look forward to their members helping us in both acting and behind the scene roles.

The souvenir programme will have lots of information about the original Farmor’s School (now the Community Centre) and the book entitled ‘Fairford Now and Then’ will be for sale in late spring and will contain lots of fascinating facts and photographs about Fairford, including the old school. We also plan to have a DVD of the production made which will be available in October.

As you can see our aim is to involve as many people in Fairford as possible. So, if you feel unable to help with the actual production don’t forget to come and see the play which will be staged in St Mary’s church from 17th - 19th October, 2007.

News in 2006

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