Langham Village History Group

Langham Village History GroupThe Life and Families of 17 th century LanghamEnd of Project Report July 2009The final months of the project were undoubtedly the busiest. Completion of book chapters, editing,layout, and proofreading followed by preparation of exhibition display material and organisation ofa 17 th century Evensong resulted in the burning of much midnight oil. However, the success of theventure and the satisfaction of seeing the culmination of our work made all the effort worthwhile.The BookThe book, in electronic format, reached the printer (Gutenberg Press) onschedule and the two tons of books arrived from Malta, as promised, intime for the exhibition at the beginning of May. The only omission from theplanned chapters was that on 17 th century weather, which its author failedto submit.We were very pleased with the resulting volume, an illustrated hardbackof 192 pages. Comments from readers have been complimentary.Six copies submitted to various historical associations for review.Still awaited, see Appendix I.The number of prepublication orders (greatly helped by advertising viathe website) was encouraging as were sales at the exhibition. Salescontinue through the website, local booksellers, Rutland Museum andlocal events.The ExhibitionThe Group with Chairman Anthony Wright presenting Professor Alan Rogers with the first signed copy of the book at the opening of the exhibitionPage 1

Conclusion:At a meeting of the Steering Group on 15 th May 2009, it was noted that two conditions in the biddocument had not been fulfilled:• In spite of numerous efforts on our part, our local radio station did not grant us air time.• The agreement with Rutland County Museum for a display of exhibition material, and probablya permanent exhibit, had been negated by a change of administrative personnel. We have,however, reached agreement with the new regime for a temporary display in Oakham Castle.Members were asked for their comments upon the whole project and these were collated anddiscussed at a group meeting. A resulting list of suggestions has been compiled and filed in readinessfor any future undertaking.We believe that we fulfilled what we set out to do and, in the process, have not only brought17th century Langham to the attention of a vast audience, but also, as individuals, we extended ourknowledge of, and interest in, our village and in the history of the period. We have improved andextended our skills as set out in the bid document and feel a great sense of achievement as a result.Unforeseen outcomes were the interest and pride that the village took in the project; the numberof people from outside the village who became involved and the kudos gained by the group inLocal History circles. One particularly pleasing result was the bringing together of family memberswho had not previously known of the others existence.MethodologyAt the outset of the project, our mentor advised on the methods of research we might use and howto keep consistency in our records. He recommended the sharing of information on a regular basisand the writing of drafts at a very early stage.A list of strategies, rules and a “House Style” for the preparation and submission of written materialwas drawn up and communicated to members.As material became available, eg. transcriptions of wills and inventories, transcriptions of parish recordsand manor court rolls, digitised early maps, land and property leases, it was copied electronically toall members.Previous reports and the list of acknowledgements in the book indicate the places visited andvarious bodies approached for information.Living in a rural area, a great deal of travel was required to view and research original documents.Even our own county archive material is held by either the Leicester, Leicestershire and RutlandRecord Office based in Leicester or Northamptonshire Record Office based in Northampton.Significant use was made of the Internet for research and a closed area of our own web site was usedfor the dissemination of information.Most members reported that the research was more enjoyable than the production of writtenmaterial. We all found the writing of book chapters to be a major challenge and finding illustrationsto accompany the written work often proved difficult.Having written fairly lengthy pieces for the book, some members found the production of short,concise pieces of exhibition text an equal challenge. The production of the actual boards, however,became social occasions and the three days of the exhibition produced a great feeling of teamworkand much camaraderie.In addition to 85 exhibition boards, 10 display panels and a rolling data projection, there was aselection of costumed dolls and a copy of a 17 th century embroidered sampler on display.Page 3

The FutureAfter the effort expended over the past two years, members do not want to embark upon anothermajor project immediately but ideas are in the pipeline.At the present time, some members are continuing researching the 17 th century while others are lookingforward or back to make comparisons with what they have already discovered. Work will continue onthe transcription of wills and inventories and of the remaining parish records. The project produceda substantial resource database and this is to be formalised and extended.Some members have chosen completely new topics eg Langham in Wartime and war memorials;village family connections; movement into and out of Langham.As a result of our work with the Exton Papers at LL&RRO, we were asked to support a bid for fundingto complete the cataloguing of these documents, which we gladly did. It is intended that, if the bidis successful, we shall be involved in the work.A number of previously published booklets are to be revised and reprinted and there are ideas forsome new ones.We are grateful for the opportunity which the Heritage Lottery funding afforded us and we shallundoubtedly continue to actively pursue our researches.Three of the eighty-five [A1] display panels created by group members for the exhibition which covered many aspects of 17 th century lifePage 4

Appendix ICopies of the publication were sent to The British Library and The Agency for Legal Deposit(This distributes to: The Bodelian Library, Oxford, Cambridge University Library, The NationalLibrary of Scotland, The Library of Trinity College Dublin and the National Library of Wales) inaccordance with the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 (UK) and the Copyright and Related RightsAct 2000 (Ireland) in the week following the launch of the book. Confirmation of receipt by theBritish Library was finally received in October 2009.Complimentary Copies were given to:Professor Alan RogersLady Sarah CampdenBrigadier R.M Wilde CBE - The Worshipful Company of Tallow ChandlersContributing authorsDavid Hall - Medieval FieldsDesmond Gallagher - HLF NottinghamEleanor Ceney (Graphic Design)Graham Jones - University of OxfordJess Jenkins - Archivist LL&RROLangham School staff and library (3)Margaret Bonney - Chief Archivist LL&RROMike and Mary Gaul (Proof Reading)Nick Hill - English HeritageQuinton Carroll - Peterborough Diocesan ArchaeologistRev Jay RidleyRobert Howard - Nottingham Tree Ring Dating LaboratoryRutland County LibrarianTeresa Thompson - History of DressThe Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Record OfficeThe Northamptonshire Records OfficeUCL - the Institute of Historical Research LibraryWestminster Abbey LibraryReview copies provided to:Andy Hopper - The University of LeicesterBritish Association for Local HistoryFamily and Community History JournalNorthamptonshire Past and PresentRutland Local History & Record SocietyThe East Midlands HistorianThe Family History Society of Leicestershire and RutlandLess than six months after the book launch nearly 50% of the stock has been issued. In November2009 we have a sales promotion with the BBC Family History Magazine which we hope willprove successful. Local book shops continue to request replacement stock and group memberscontinue to make personal sales.Page 5

A few of the many written and verbal comments received to date:A great deal of research and effort has clearly gone into producing such a beautifully presentedvolume. The book gets across well a great many aspects of everyday life in the seventeenth century.It also successfully places the experiences of Langham into a national context. The book’s thematicstructure worked well and sets an example that other village history groups would do well to follow.I particularly liked the style and choice of illustrations, which were superb.Dr Andy Hopper - University of LeicesterA handsome production, and an invaluable contribution to increasing knowledge of both the Langhamcommunity and of the turbulent century in England’s life that the book covers. Furthermore it isvery easy to read and accessible. I am learning much of what life in those times was like, not onlyfor my Sharpe and Sculthorpe forebears, but for those below and above their places in the socialorder of the day. It seems to me the granting bodies that supported the 17 th century life and familiesproject ought to be absolutely delighted with the way LVHG has carried it out.Renn Wortley - University of Victoria, AustraliaThe members of Langham Village History Group deserve congratulations on the publication.A superb piece of work which I have much enjoyed.Peter ShuttlewoodWow...!!!A thousand thanks for all your hard work - from one whose folk hailed from this fabulous cornerof Rutland and featured in your new book - and many, many congratulations to each and everyone of your Group for a meticulously researched and superbly presented publication...Scholarly, yet eminently readable - and every bit as good as I had hoped it would be...Above all, your friendly approach shines through - even ‘though you must have sometimes beenstretched by the degree of commitment required and the amount of time involved...The launch Exhibition was also extremely professionally presented - even down to the roundedcorners on the individual text and graphic cards...!!What a team...!!An outstanding and incredibly impressive achievement - a model for any other village historygroup in the land...Very well done...!!I reckon, like John B. at Ham House [page 38], you have carved out a new career for yourselves...!!PS - I am greatly looking forward to your next endeavour...but first, relax and take a well-earned rest...!!Tony BullimorePage 6