NEW NAME, NEW GROUP: 

SPROTBROUGH VILLAGE HISTORY GROUP

What follows is the last of the SpRotbrough Oral History Group Notes as, following publication of the Sprotbrough book, we have now transformed ourselves into the Sprotbrough Village History Group, which is open to anyone interested in the history of Sprotbrough.

I think the Notes are self-explanatory, but if you need to talk further about the Group, please feel free to contact me.

Liz

SPROTBOROUGH ORAL HISTORY GROUP 

Notes of meeting held on Friday 30 July 2021, 2-4 pm, in Sprotbrough Church Hall

Present:          Cynthia Ransom, Chair; Mick & Liz Reeve, Arthur Radford, Carol Rees, Geoff and Jean Watson, Margaret Bark, Sylvia Nicholson, Doreen Webster, Jill Warnock, Joan Hughes, John Walton, Maurice Dent, Terry & Liz Bramall, Chris & Jayne Overton, 

Apologies:       Judith Cofield, Beryl Dawson, Kath Topliss, Chris Wilkinson, Amanda Barraclough.

Welcome:       Cynthia led the meeting and welcomed everyone and introductions were made by everyone. 

Following publication of the book, “Sprotbrough: From Rural Estate to Real Estate 1925-1965”, the purpose of the meeting was to establish whether previous participants wished to continue meeting and, if so, the name and possible purpose of the new group.

Purpose:         Several suggestions had been circulated as follows:

1. To enable those who contributed to the book to continue to meet socially with a view to sharing their knowledge. 

2. To open the group up to newer residents who wish to learn more about the village 

3. To organise discussions, talks, films and visits relating to the village’s history, eg sessions could include Fashions; the Wars; old family Photos; antique objects from past-times such as tools and kitchen utensils; the Church; the Hall; the River; a guided visit to the new Museum; discovering old properties, etc

4. To research the history of the village’s Conservation Area in more detail.  

5. To hear about the first new houses that were built following the sale of the estate.

6. To print short papers of interest in relation to subjects of interest following research.

7. Other?

To enable further suggestions to be made, three small groups were set up so that everyone could have their say in regard to the following questions:

1. What do you think of the ‘Purpose’?  Are you happy with this or do you think anything else could be included? 

2. Do we need a new name, day or time to meet?  Suggestions?  Should we have a committee to organise meetings and look after the finances?  If so, would you be interested in joining it? 

3. Would you be happy for us to record meetings or take photographs during them? 

4. Should we pay a monthly subscription?  (A grant is being applied for to cover the hire of the room, but there may be other expenses for speakers, printing, etc.)

Report Back:

A variety of interesting responses were recorded by the groups in addition to those previously suggested..

Question 1 

1. Map the conservation area, including farms, with information about who lived where – Arthur Radford and Liz Reeve interested in this. 

2. Church yards/Cemeteries/etc – Friends of Doncaster Cemetery might be interested in this. 

3. River transport/ barges/ horses/etc 

4. Levitt Hagg and the Mission Room 

5. Railway history – Jim Jewell and Meryl White might be interested in this. 

6. Military history 

7. Food/clothing/etc 

8. Where are they now?/people we remember – a number of books sent to friends in Australia and Canada 

9. Painting exhibition, including artefacts relating to life and work – John Walton interested in this. 

10. Photos and postcards – Margaret Bark interested in this 

11. Engine House near Lock – Mick Reeve interested in this.   

12. Newsletters 

13. Bring a Friend session 

14. Special events, sometimes with speakers, or visits

15. When was the hairpin bend road metalled?  Liz Reeve is interested in this.

16. Any other questions that might need answering

Question 2

A few new names were suggested, though some were happy with the existing one.  However, this was not felt to reflect the different kinds of activities envisaged and it was hoped that new members from a later era would join.

Sprotbrough History Group

Sprotbrough Village History Group as there used to be one at the library some time ago and it was not known if it was still in existence.

Sprotbrough: Past and Present

I think ‘Sprotbrough Village History Group’ was generally agreed, but I am happy to be proved wrong!  I think it was chosen to reflect where meetings are held rather than to exclude anyone wishing to join us from anywhere else. 

No-one wanted a committee, so it looks like Cynthia, Mick and I, as the only suggestions, will be organising sessions!

Question 3

No-one objected to being recorded or photographed. 

Question 4

It was hoped that a grant to cover room hire might be obtained for the first year at least.

Discussion on a subscription varied, both £5 and £2 per session/month being suggested.  However, I believe £2 was generally agreed in the first instance.  However, special events might merit a higher entrance fee.

Next Meeting:            Friday 27 August 2021, 2- 4 pm at the Church Hall.

                                    Members are asked to invite a friend.

                                    Topic: A surprise at present!

I’m afraid the meeting over-ran a little due to no-one wanting to go home, but we aim to do better next time!

PS  Since the meeting, I have met the daughter of Joe Verity as well as Mary Verity and her daughter, Joanne.  I don’t think I had seen Mary since I got married in 1965 and had never met Kathryn and Joanne so it was great to meet up again.  A shame we didn’t meet before the book was written.

Liz Reeve

I don’t think I’ve got a title at present, but have elected Cynthia as Chair so hope she agrees.  My husband, Mick, is to be referee!

Email: soh.lizreeve@gmail.com

Blog: https://sprotbroughoralhistory.blogspot.com/

Tel: 01302 313030

Mobile: 07918124040

Dated:  03/08/2021