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An
Appeal
It will not have escaped notice that County Councils are trying to reduce expenditure on all sorts of 'non~ essential' activities. The Warwickshire County Record Office is the victim of one such reduction. In February of 1992 the R.O. would, in normal circumstances, be ordering on micro-film the 1891 census for all the parishes in the county; ten years ago it did this for the 1881 census. however? on this occasion it has been forced to make a public appeal for funds. The cost is £ l,250 These old censuses are of the greatest value to those researching genealogy or local history. Any reader. who would like to help in this worthy cause please send a cheque to the Archivist, Record Office, The Cape, Warwick and make the cheque out to Warwickshire County Council (1891 Census Appeal). The appeal stays open until February.
"The Laytons
of Oversley Warwickshire 1650 - 1850" By J.R. layton (1991) The Society has
acquired a copy, through the kindness of Mr. .J.R.Layton. Any reader wishing for a copy,
please contact the Editor It is a well researched booklet about this Oversley yeoman
family. The- price is unknown but it will be modest.
During the autumn
period, the management of the Town Hall celebrated the 350th anniversary of the completion
of what is now the War Memorial Town Hall ~ The display of artefacts, photographs and
documents attracted a large number of people. We congratulate the management committee for
the hard work which they put in to keep the Alcester Town Hall solvent and. in good
repair.
The occasion waas
marked by the unveiling. of an indoor plaque commemorating the event. Some confusion
resides in the wording, which speaks of the completion of the Hall 'at the behest of Lord
Brooke'. The Hall was finished in 1641, whereas the noble lord (Fulke Greville iii) died
in l628). Plaques, obviously, are not Alcester's strong point the outdoor one at the Hall,
commemorating its becoming the Town's War Memorial, suggests that the building replaced an
earlier Market Hall. Actually, the new market hall of 1618 was. built on the site of the
High Cross. Unfortunately, no etching or painting, of this has survived.
Any Ideas? The
Editor, has at home two enamel shields which were found being used as tiles on an outhouse
roof. They each measure about l5" x 10". One says 'The War Office', the other
'Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Acting for the War Qffice". Both are dated
1927 and both also say 'KINGS PREMIUM LONDON ' Does anyone know what this "King's
Premium' was?
In November 1991
Mr.Cyril Johnson gave a well-researched and interesting talk at the Greig Hall on the
Alcester Gas, Light and Coke Company. Upon the basis of this lecture, together with
information in the Society's files and personal reminiscences of older citizens, we hone
to produce an Occasional Paper. Would any reader with personal knowledge of the Gas Works
please contact the Editor?
The Society's
A.G.M. in November elected the following officers:
Chairman, David Moulson; Vice Chairman, Graham Downie; Secretary, Janet Hillington; Treasurer, Albert Davis; Committee, Ron Bray, Arthur Daniels, Mr. John Donaldson,Sue Fisher, John Shakles, Edward Saville (Life President)
A complete list of Society meetings with speakers for the next twelve months is now ready on a small card; all members will receive one. Any non-member may apply for one.
Doctors,
Chemists & Apothecaries
In the early days of the Society, one of our first Occasional Papers was on Medical Provision in Alcester from the 17th century to the present. We have nothing similar for other larger settlements in our area, such as Studley, Bidford on Avon and Aston Cantlow. Perhaps some reader would like to make a start on a particular place and see what the 19th century trade directories tell us? In the first place, a chronological list of doctors: this would be a framework on which to place any other information which came in from other sources, e.g. newspapers, censuses, deeds. As for the 20th century, in addition to directories and newspapers, reminiscences from older' inhabitants would seem invaluable, remembering always that memory can be a fickle thing and that checking is' important.
N.B. Alcester Library has a good selection of directories: So of course, have Stratford and Warwick Record Offices,
© Alcester & District Local History Society 1991