Another side of village's history (From Stroud News and Journal)

Another side of village's history

DRUNKEN vicars, war heroes and forgotten pleasure gardens all feature in the fascinating history of a Five Valleys village exhaustively researched by local residents.

A compelling treasure trove of memorable events and colourful characters has been unearthed for new book Cranham: the history of a Cotswold village, launched in May.

Members of the Cranham Local History Society spent years patiently researching the book, poring over ancient documents and gathering memories from older residents.

Club secretary Jan Whitton said: "The response from the village has been really positive.

"It has been hard work. It is not something we have done before so it was a steep learning curve - but it is really nice to see it finished and done."

Among the characters that feature in the book is the dastardly William Hatton, Rector at Cranham from 1677 until 1689. Accounts from horrified village residents at the time describe him as a drunken, brawling, card shark who 'entertained' prostitutes at his house.

The team also explored the history of the beautiful pleasure gardens that briefly flourished at Todd's Cottages in Cranham in the early part of the 19th century, until the unpopular landowner William Todd was made bankrupt in 1825 and they closed.

"When we started we realised there was some areas that had never been researched," added Mrs Whitton.

Other chapters focus on the village in wartime, the Cranham feast (thought to be one of the oldest traditions in the county), and the surrounding mills and farms.

The research was led by Jan Whitton and Kate Searle, together with fellow society members Peter Cox, Jacqui Green and Ann Green.

Sadly two of the founder members of the project, former chairman Bob Bass and former treasurer Aileen Whitaker, died before the book was completed.

Cranham: the history of a Cotswold Village is available in local bookshops now, priced £15 or from Jan Whitton on 01452 812417.