2005 Schedule of Meetings Now Published

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Shirley Carter, Gill Sykes and Sonia Jenkinson have shared a common interest in local history for quite some time now. Between them they have spent many hours at the records offices of Stafford County Council, Lichfield District Council and The William Salt Museum researching Wills, Births, Marriages and Deaths documents and Census records.

In particular they shared a desire to understand more about the history of the village of Colton and decided they would like to involve others with similar interests. Following the adage ‘more hands make light work’ a larger group would be able to share in some of the research work, which would have the effect of enabling others to enjoy the fruits of their research, whilst benefiting the group as a whole by progressing at a quicker pace.

Having ‘sounded out’ a number of friends the first meeting was arranged. It was held at Sonia Jenkinson’s home on October 7th 2002. In all some twenty people attended that first meeting. Gill Sykes gave an overview of the history of Colton. She referred to the book written by the Reverend Parker in 1897 titled Colton and the De Wasteney Family and changes that had taken place during the 20^th Century.

Great interest was shown by all at that first meeting and it was decided to form a club to be known as the Colton History Society. The Society would meet on the third Thursday of the month at 8:00 p.m. in the Village Hall. An annual subscription of £5 was agreed together with £1 per meeting, to cover refreshment costs.

A committee was also proposed and agreed with Gill Sykes as the Chairman, Shirley Carter Vice Chairman, Sonia Jenkinson Treasurer and Bill Brown Secretary.

It was agreed that the Society would initially look back over the last 100 years from 2000 to 1900. This would entail talking to villagers who had spent all, or the greater part of their life, in the village. Asking them to share their memories and recollections. We also plan to invite them to attend future meetings to talk to the Society sharing with us their treasured recollections of school days, working life, family life and the first and second world wars.

Old photographs enabling comparisons of various activities and buildings over the years were considered to be important and it was agreed that a data-base of photographs should be built up.

Villagers would be asked to lend the Society photographs. These photographs would then be copied electronically and stored on computer with an associated narrative describing each photograph. It is planned to make copies available on c.d.

There are many sources of information for the Society to research. Parish records, the 1841 and 1891 census, maps, photographs, wills, letters, inventories, electoral registers, local associations, the list goes on.

So it was decided to establish a number of ‘working parties’, each comprising a small group of members to work on specific projects. The groups will research their particular subject and report back to the members with their findings.

Fifteen projects have been identified and of these nine have been allocated a dedicated team from the membership. The projects include:

Since our first meeting in October 2002 we have had 39 people attending one or more meetings and of that number 29 have paid their £5 subscription to become fully paid up members. The attendance at our monthly meetings is now averaging 24.

If you would like to join our Society contact any committee member or just turn up at the village hall. Remember it’s the third Thursday at 8:00 p.m.

If you have any old photographs, press cuttings or other items of interest we would be delighted if you would allow us to copy them. Contact Shirley Carter, Sonia Jenkinson or Bill Brown on 01889 584931 / 583387 / 579401 respectively or Gill Sykes on 01283 575039