At Venue 35 – the Memorial Hall Meeting Room – on Tuesday 28th January 2020 at about 8 pm
Present: Chairman Robin Boucher, Secretary & Treasurer Yvonne Eaton, 10 members, and 4 visitors
- Robin had been approached by Peter Last to see if the History Group were interested in having the hand-written minute book of Packington WI during the period March 1994 through to September 2011 for the archive. The thick bound A4 book was produced, and members agreed it would be a useful addition.
- Visitor Janice Sumnall described a problem she and Andrew Sumnall were having with the Shire Horse Society in registering their stud in the name of “Packington”, the reason being the Packington Blind Horse. She asked for the groups help in this matter. Sue told Janice she thought the farmer’s name where the Blind horse stood was Hood, but this needed to be researched. After further discussion Robin read a letter he had drafted to give to Janice to forward to the Shire Horse Society before their AGM in April, members agreed the letter should be sent.
- Janice also mentioned that it will be the 10th year they have opened their farm to the general public for “Farms Open Day“, a national event. They have had as many as 2,000 visitors at the event, and this year they want to make it special by displaying agricultural equipment past and present. Many other activities were planned, and she invited the history group to put on a display – the event takes place on Sunday 7th June.
- The Parish Council have asked the history group to take part in VE Day 75th anniversary celebrations on 8th May, however details of the councils plans have yet to be decided. Members agreed the group should take part but we need to search the archives to see if any Packington men were in the forces at that time. The book the history group had previously produced entitled “Where were you in the war” may be of use.
- Adrian’s history is progressing and now covers the period 0-1100 CE . He is now almost ready to place this on the website in order that more can be added as time goes by and more historical evidence may emerge.
- Digitising the oral histories was discussed. An estimate of the cost of this process needs to be acquired, an application to the Solar Fund could then be made.
- Robin proposed he leads a walk down Mill Street and he has much information to hand – members agreed this should take place at the end of June, weather permitting.
- Sue put in a request for any pottery pieces anyone finds on their premises. On a similar quest, visitor Stephen Plummer asked whether PVHG could use metal-detecting equipment to scan the village environment, especially near footpaths, for historic artifacts, perhaps a “Packington Hoard” – he had discovered items dating back to early 1800s this way.
- Sue also suggested encouraging members to transcribe wills and inventories from the 1600s onwards. Our members agreed this could begin at our March meeting as these documents give a clear insight as to how people lived.
- Visitor Stephen Plummer encouraged the group to advertise, especially by putting a piece in the Packington Communications Group’s “Welcome Pack“, which is given to all newcomers in the village when they first arrive. Members were in agreement and Robin will proceed with this.
- The meeting ended at 9.40pm.
- Our next PVHG meeting is Tuesday, 25th February at 7.30pm.