THE RAYMOND BARKERS OF FAIRFORD PARK

Published by Fairford History Society. 2007
Price 5.00

The long and complex story of the Barker and Raymond Barker family of Fairford Park is told in this new monograph in some detail. The story starts at the end of the English Civil War when Andrew Barker arrived in Fairford and built his grand new house at Fairford Park. The Barkers and their relations the Farmors and the Micos were intimately involved in the creation of Fairford Free School which later bore the name of Elizabeth Farmor, one of the benefactors. Andrew’s granddaughter Esther married James Lambe and, having no children of her own, passed her estate to her nephew John Raymond thereby founding the Raymond Barker dynasty. In addition to being lords of the manor, major landowners and JPs of Fairford, the family were also very active in county and national affairs and the many of them became prominent in business and commerce as well as the church. The family was not without trial and tribulation which included the occasional violent death and one case of scandal which was discussed in the House of Commons.

John Raymond of London changed his surname to Raymond Barker by Royal Licence when he succeeded Esther Lambe, the granddaughter of Andrew Barker who settled at Fairford in 1650.

RAF FAIRFORD, 1944 - A MOST MEMENTOUS YEAR

Published by Fairford History Society. 2007
Price 4.00

RAF Fairford had a fairly brief life as an operational World War Two airfield, being active only for about eight months. However, during this time, it played its part in one of the most critical days of the entire war - D-Day, and what has subsequently been called a magnificent failure – Arnhem.

Fairford Now And Then

As part of the project funded by the Local Heritage Initiative which will culminate in the Community Play in October, Fairford History Society is publishing a book that illustrates the town today and it was over the last hundred years. Some places have changed partly or totally while others have hardly altered. We have particularly looked at education, the theme of the play.

The editors have deliberately used black and white photographs for the modern period to avoid the unflattering contrast between a past which is ‘a sepia tinted exercise in nostalgia’ and a present which is in glorious technicolour.

The book provides a stimulus to look afresh at places and buildings and institutions in Fairford and see how their present relates to the past. The book will be on sale from April 21st at £5.00 a copy.

Valentine Strong - Cotswold Stonemason

Published by Fairford History Society. December 2006
Price 70p

Valentine Strong was a well-known Cotswold stonemason who built Andrew Barker’s Fairford Park mansion house and was the father of Thomas and Edward Strong, Sir Christopher Wren’s master masons in the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral following the Great Fire of London. Valentine Strong died in Fairford in 1662 and is buried under an impressive bale tomb in St Mary’s churchyard.

Valentine Strong's Tomb (Opposite)

The Honeybones of Fairford

Published by Fairford History Society. 2006
Price 50p

A brief account of the Honeybone watch and clockmaking family of Fairford who had a shop in Fairford from the early 1800s to 1939.

Mr Honeybone outside his shop which is now Allium.(Opposite)

Food Glorious Food from Farmor’s School

A history of the School Meals Service with recipes from the staff of Farmor’s School.

A reprint of the 1982 edition with a new introduction.

Published by Fairford History Society. 2005
Price £2.00

Fairford’s War Memorial and Roll of Honour

Published by Fairford History Society. 2005
Price £5.00

This book contains a brief history of the War Memorial and information about the men who gave their lives.

Fairford’s War Memorial
and Roll of Honour

by Chris Hobson

Fairford History Society Monograph 1
November 2005

Commander Charles Haultain, RN, KH (1787-1845)

Published by Fairford History Society. 2006
Price 50p

A brief account of an officer of the Royal Navy who was a contemporary of Nelson and who developed the Navy List into an unparalleled reference work. His grave is pictured opposite in St Mary's Churchyard.