Projects

The following research projects and activities are being developed by members of the Society. These should eventually result in a publication or talks at Members' evenings.

Ongoing project : Family History

Bill Buchanan has created a full and detailed computerised archive of records of families in East Leake and district. This archive includes parish records, census records and such graveyard memorials as are still available. He answers personal enquiries from people within the village and those now living elsewhere, and is pleased to help anyone interested in finding out more about their family history.

Note : a donation is usually offered to help Bill to offset his time and costs in answering such enquiries.

Current projects (2010)

• The story of John Bley Ian and Rachel Flynn, Keith Hodgkinson and other members plan a book to be published soon.
• Analysis of the 1911 census Tony Grundy is now writing up his analysis and comparison with previous census records, with the intention of publishing in a future edition of the Leake Historian.
• St Mary's Church The Parochial Church Council have asked Reg Gibbs to research and write a new and more comprehensive guide to the church and its history. He is combining this with a shorter activity pack/guide for schoolchildren.
• War memorials Margaret Meadowcroft and Tony Grundy are planning a guide to those who fought and those who died and are commemorated on the three war memorials.
• Benefice church organs David Chapman is exploring the historical significance of the organs in the five churches in the Leake benefice.
• Water supply Eileen Selby and Keith Hodgkinson have been collecting material from older members and from the archives to show how the need for a clean and reliable water supply has been met over the ages. This has now been extended to cover the local geology for which we are being helped by Noel Worley of British Plaster Board. The first results will be presented at the meeting on April 18 2012.
• Prehistoric East Leake We have become aware of the need to investigate the Roman and earlier history of our area. There have been a nyumber of important finds locally, including the gravel works surveys, and we are now considering a major project for bringing these scattered sources together. A recent book on Roman Nottinghamshire is a useful starting-point. WE ARE LOOKING FOR A VOLUNTEER TO CO-ORDINATE THIS PROJECT. No specialist knowledge or experience necessary. Please contact the Chairman if you are interested.

Extra Information ?

Do you have any information to add to any of these projects ? Local tales, anecdotes, memories or pictures ? Please contact Keith Hodgkinson at khodgkinson@ntlworld.com, and I will pass them on.

Future projects

Several members are interested in starting a project on the aspects of the history of Costock. Please contact Margaret Meadowcroft or the Co-ordinator if you are interested in helping with this.

Ideas for new projects are keenly sought from all members. We are developing a full archive at the Parish Office (accessible most Monday mornings, organised by Tony Grundy). Roger Greenwood is now helping to index the archive with a view to renovating the system, and has already completed an index of relevant books held at the Parish Office. Please contact the Projects Coordinators, Keith and Mary Hodgkinson, if you are interested in making an active contribution to this work.