The 20th century village

CLAVERING HISTORY EXHIBITION

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th September 2011

Between 250 and 300 visitors came to the History Exhibition, which took place at the Clavering Christian Centre on 17-18 September,organised by the Clavering History Group. We have had a lot of good feedback and everyone seemed to find something of interest among the Timeline of Clavering History and the array of displays, albums, photos and artefacts gathered together. There were some fascinating displays put on by local organisations, and we do thank them for their support.

The entire building was in use, with displays upstairs and down, plus a gallery full of household and farming implements kindly lent by Billie Rochford. There was also a WW2 memorabilia collection, the centrepiece being parts of the 1944 bomber that fell on Clavering. The upstairs room was used for serious researchers wishing to consult the genealogy and house history collections, with expert help on hand including a representative of the SPAB. Some visitors just sat there all weekend beavering away!

The only complaint seemed to be that there was too much to take in one go, but there you are - Clavering has a lot of history! so many people lent us things, and we would like to thank them for their support, and for about 20 helpers over the weekend, not least those in the kitchen and the makes of delicious cakes. Numerous discoveries were made, knowledge acquired, collections augmented, imaginations stirred and acquaintances renewed. At least two families used the occasion for a family reunion and descended en masse. The exhibition was not seen as a fund-raiser but it was expensive to stage and more than covered its costs with the income from door, books, teas and donations. The Christian Centre is such a super place for events like this and we do appreciate the church for keeping this wonderful building going. Our thanks to all those who helped and loaned items, too many to mention.