Southwater Local History Group
Meet First Monday in the Month at 7.30 pm
Southwater Village Hall
For more information contact
Jeremy Senneck 01403 731247 or Gary Little 07387 159191
southwaterlocalhistorygroup@btinternet.com
Introduction
The Southwater Local History Group (SLHG) was formed in July 2003.
The SLHG is an unincorporated association which is owned by its members and run by an elected committee. There are 6 committee members, a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and 2 role specific committee members. The SLHG is governed by a member approved Constitution.
Membership is open to all Southwater residents and surrounding towns and villages. There are currently 45 members. The annual membership is £20 with a £3 charge for non – members attending the monthly meetings.
An Annual General Meeting is held in February.
Committee Members Responsibilities
The committee members have a responsibility to ensure that historial Southwater village artefacts (such documents, photographs, maps etc.) are securely stored, including in digital format, and that these remain accessible for future generations.
SLHG Purpose and Aim (Activities)
The SLHG looks to provide guidance and direction on a broad range of activities for current and future SLHG members to consider and / or complete. These include:
Enhance members’ interest and knowledge of Southwater’s history, its surrounding villages, town and cities.
Maintain an archive of artefacts related to Southwater village (see below for current activities).
Encourage members to share their stories, anecdotes, old photographs and historical documents.
Provide information, exhibitions and presentations about Southwater.
Share details about the SLHG activities on its own or local internet web – sites (where available).
Produce books, booklets, leaflets and other literature related to the history of Southwater.
To arrange and visit local places of historical interest.
Historical Activities
In the early years after it’s formation, there was a need to gather historical information and artefacts on Southwater village from its members. This was achieved although more artefacts are welcome. Some of this historical information along with old photographs were included in three SLHG published books which are held in the Southwater Library.
Southwater A – Z : A Miscellany written by Patsy Laker and Catherine Andrews.
Southwater Victorians: Lives and Portraits written by Patsy Laker, Catherine Andrews and Joan Francis.
Winning the Clay written by Patsy Laker and Catherine Andrews.
Some visits were arranged to local and national places of interest.
Current Activities
The main activity is a monthly meeting which is held on the first Monday of each month at the Village Hall, starting at 7.30 pm. At this meeting a speaker is invited to give a talk on different topics of historical interest which can be local, national, international or about historial people of influence.
Details of monthly meetings, including the speaker and topic, are advertised in the SLHG notice board outside Beeson House, at locations in the village and in the Southwater News magazine. There are 2 SLHG articles in this magazine - a history story and Robert Pipers ‘Notes from the past’.
Work is underway to review, digitalise and log thousands of items that are held at Beeson House. When there are sufficient volunteers, work will begin on reviewing, digitalising and logging over 100,000 items held on a recently obtained hard drive. If you would like to help with this valuable work, please contact Jeremy Senneck 01403 731247 or Gary Little 07387 159191 or email the SLHG at southwaterlocalhistorygroup@btinternet.com