Helmdon History Exhibition

In the early spring of 2022 Ross Vicars and Audrey Forgham had the idea of a Helmdon History Exhibition. November was chosen as the future date. That sounded far off in the future, but my goodness, was the time needed!

The hard work began. Ross concentrated on the earlier history and Audrey gleaned information from the old www.helmdon.com archives. Chris Gartside, John Coatsworth and Catherine Lewis were roped in to do the Helmdon Sports & Social Club and Carnivals, Astwell Manor and the School respectively, and Charles Binns was on hand to magnificently restore and print the old photographs. In addition there were scrapbooks of various organisations and even a Cinderella dress from the last pantomime of the Bridge Players before the second world war.

Thanks to the committee of Catherine, Chris, John, and Charles (together with helpers Vanessa Vicars and Danny Moody), and a team led by Lynn Gartside providing tea and coffee, everything came together very smoothly. The exhibition can be counted as a great success with around 280 people coming through the door, some staying hours, and there were plenty of compliments that made the project very worth while.

Ross Vicars & Audrey Forgham

Herewith a selection of photgraphs from Vanessa Vicars and Danny Moody. It can only give a flavour of the exhibition, which had upwards of 40 display boards.

the Church Kneelers’ project.

inhabitants at the time of the Millennium.

they ceased because of

insurance complications.

you had most of all you wanted in

the village.

source of local history.

Ross Vicars at [email address removed],

Danny Moody via the contact page,

or Audrey Forgham via the contact page

We would be delighted to hear from you.

More photos