History Group

Coleshill History Group

The Coleshill History Group was inaugurated in January 2010. The group was formed to continue and expand the work of the Coleshill History Project which produced the book A History of Coleshill published in November 2009.

The group exists to encourage the study of all branches of local history, paying special attention to the collection, preservation, and compilation of records relating to the history of Coleshill and its surroundings.

The group holds meetings six times a year with occasional guest speakers. All villagers are members of the History Group. Do ask for details if you are interested.

News - Spring 2012

Our January meeting was both informative and entertaining. Chris paid tribute to Peter Brock for his involvement and hard work on behalf of the group and wished him and Jennifer well back in Vermont. We had talks about research on the Rodnight family, who appeared to have been itinerant brickmakers in Buckinghamshire in the 19th century, and on John Evan Hodgson, a Royal Academician who lived at Chalk Pit House and painted several landscapes of the area. We were then treated to a display of Chris Wege's previously hidden talents as he shared folk songs that he had helped a BBC team to collect, introduced us to the Mummers' play performed annually before the First World War near Wendover (and gave us parts to play) and finally showed us how to do a broom dance!

Chris and I have been to visit Winnie Furmanski, nee Francis, who was born in what is now Park End Cottage, to record her memories of Coleshill and Winchmore Hill. She and her Polish husband Jo used to love to dance and she said the dances at Coleshill were famous. In 1948 they won the prize for dancing at the annual "Gipsy" Fete and it was this year that she also won the contest to become "Coleshill Queen" – and still has the sash she was given!

At our meeting in March we heard from Henry Wizgier with his memories of Hodgemoor Camp. In May there will be another visitor, Ken Smith, who is related to the Slades and lived in Amber Cottages until the renovations of 1961, and in September Julian Hunt will be back to talk to us again. Do join us! We meet in the Small Hall at 8pm and finish at 10pm, with a break for coffee and chat midway.

Penny Ware

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Last Updated on Friday, 16 March 2012 15:27

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