WESTCOTT LOCAL HISTORY GROUP

Overview

WESTCOTT LOCAL HISTORY GROUP is a UK-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public education in all aspects of local history in Westcott. The group is registered as a charity with the number 1118747.

Objectives

The primary objective of the charity is to educate the public on the history of Westcott, as decided by its trustees[4]. This includes organizing group meetings with guest speakers, initiating research projects, and collecting historical documents to make them available to the public[1].

Activities

The group engages in several activities to achieve its objectives:

• Meetings and Research: It arranges bi-monthly meetings where visiting speakers discuss local history topics. Members are encouraged to participate in research projects, which currently include studies on wells, postboxes, air raid shelters, and the histories of individual houses and roads[1][5].
• Document Collection and Sharing: The group collects and provides access to historical documents such as census returns, parish registers, school records, maps, and photographs[1][5]. These records are increasingly digitized for easier access and are stored safely for preservation[5].
• Newsletters and Reports: It publishes newsletters and reports to keep members informed about its activities and findings[1].

Archives

The group's archives are based at St John's Chapel, where members and researchers can access various historical records by appointment. Available documents include:

• Census Returns: From 1841 to 1911.
• School Records: Westcott National Schools admissions from 1895 to 2001.
• Parish Registers: Baptisms, marriages, and burials from Holy Trinity Church, spanning from July 1852 to December 1999.
• Monumental Inscriptions: Including burial plans for Holy Trinity churchyard[5].

Contributing to Local History

Westcott Local History Group plays a significant role in preserving and promoting the historical heritage of Westcott, a village mentioned in the Domesday Book and with evidence of earlier settlements[1]. The group's efforts contribute to a deeper understanding of the village's history and its development over the centuries.

[1] https://westcottvillage.com/westcott-history-group/ [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4029314 [3] https://www.balh.org.uk/societies-westcott-local-history-group [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4029314/governing-document [5] https://www.westcotthistory.org.uk/archives/