Life on the Farm in WW2

After the formal AGM, Peter Jones will introduce a short film called “Life on the Farm in WW2”.  As in WW1, growing food in the British Isles became very important as importing food from abroad became increasingly difficult.

In a chapter of his book entitled “Under Fire: Essex and the Second World War 1939-1945”, author Paul Rusiecki uses many local history sources to explain how farmers in Essex were required to bring back into full use as much land as possible, as well as maximise its productivity!  The introduction of Land Girls was very important to implementing this Government policy.

In this film, we will see and hear more about life on the farm during the second world war.

April Meeting

At their April meeting, two members of the Frinton and Walton Heritage Museum will follow on this WW2 theme.  They will take us back to World War 2 with a talk entitled “Make Do and Mend”.

The AGM

The group will hold their AGM on Wednesday 14th March starting at 7.30 pm in the Orpen Hall. They will review the activities of the past year and preview the activities being planned for the coming year.  The current committee will formally stand down and will be inviting members to offer themselves for election to join those current members who will offer themselves for re-election.

Review of past year

Over the past year, the group has organised a succession of well-attended meetings and visits.  In November the group held the inaugural Bernard Colbron Memorial Lecture to mark the significant contribution that former Chairman, and active parish councillor, had made to the village of West Bergholt over many years.  Following an opportunity for members to make suggestions for talk topics, possible speakers and places to visit we will adjourn for refreshments.

All are welcome to attend on March 14th.  Those who wish to become members of the History Group will be expected to pay the annual subscription fee of £10.  Refreshments will be available before the film show and there will be no charge for this evening.

Second Bernard Colbron Memorial Lecture

Local historian Andrew Philips will talk at the second Bernard Colbron Memorial Lecture in November 2018.  His subject will be WW1 and its impact on Colchester and local villages with an emphasis on West Bergholt.  The WB Local History Group is also researching the impact of World War 1 on the village; it is planning to provide a summary of its’findings at the Village Fete in September.