Stroud Local History Society: Review of 2015

WE STARTED the year with a talk by John Loosley about his relative who was apprenticed to the Stroud Journal in 1872.

He moved to Ceylon in 1878, then to India, where he bought a printing business, which he expanded into fancy goods and later into bicycles and motor cars.

In February we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Society, with a review of Stroud 1984 to 2014 by Pauline Stevens and Marion Hearfield.

We had sandwiches, birthday cake, a photo quiz, and heard about research that members are doing.

Next Paul Barnett told us how he became involved with The Purton Hulks, then Bill Treen enlightened us about Deakins Fair and their life on the road.

We visited The Merchants House in Marlborough and were surprised to see the patterns and colours used on the walls and furniture in the 17th century.

At the Jet Age Museum, Staverton our knowledgeable guides informed us about different periods of aviation.

We walked around Chipping Campden and heard about the Arts and Crafts movement.

The summer exhibition of members recent research at the Museum in the Park was well attended.

In the autumn we heard about the Wonders of Westonbirt & the Holford Family by Margaret Headon; were fascinated by Gloucestershire Place Names, by Anthony Poulton-Smith; and were gruesomely informed about Medieval & Tudor barber surgeons, by John Putley.

A Tudor Christmas, by Cherry Hubbard finished the year when we saw items prepared to Tudor recipes, and heard about the food they had available.

Another interesting and varied programme is planned for 2016.

Non-members are welcome - see our website stroudlocalhistorysociety.org.uk