Bampton and District Local History Society

News from the Burnbanks Project

Bampton and District Local History Society

It was a lovely day for the inauguration of the plaque at Burnbanks – the spring sunshine gave a warm glow to the celebration and some 65 people gathered to see David Maclean MP carry out the unveiling. The plaque illustrates the history and significance of the village and stands beside the red phone box and the oak seat on Burnbanks’ new village green. It is already a place of interest for intrepid coast-to-coast walkers and other visitors. On the day, we also enjoyed an explanatory tour of Burnbanks led by John Drinkwater and a rare visit to the pumping station museum. The buffet lunch at Beckfoot gave us the chance to reflect on the many activities that the BDLHS has been involved in over the past three years during the Burnbanks project.

It was also an opportunity to look forward – the project has recently been extended to December 2006 and our Local Heritage Initiative grant increased by a further £8000. This will enable us to prepare a book on Burnbanks, based on our interviews with people who lived there. There will be an historical introduction and plenty of maps, charts and photos. The book, which does not have a name at present and ideas are welcome, will be given free of charge to every Bampton household and to all those who gave interviews. There will also be copies for sale. The book will be a permanent record of a unique place, now transformed or hidden from view.

The next BDLHS meeting will be on Monday July 10th and will be another of our summer social events with a historical flavour. There will be a guided walk around the centre of Bampton led by John and Marion Drinkwater followed by a BBQ at Grange Farm. We plan to start the walk at 6.30 pm. Please watch your Parish Noticeboards for further details and keep the evening free! We look forward to seeing you there.

Bampton Parish Newsletter: August 2005

Bampton and District Local History Society

'All work and no play' is certainly not going to dull Bampton Local Historians! While we have been very busy recently, we have also had good times. We have been concentrating on adding to the Tithe Map display in the Small Hall. Alongside the Map there, you will now find a clear explanation of what this valuable farming and taxation record can tell us about our parish in 1838. There is also a large scale drawing of the Thornthwaite section of the Map, with a display showing owners, occupiers, field names and acreages. We intend to prepare large-scale drawings of other areas for display and hope you will let us know which farms you would like us to concentrate on. Meanwhile, supported by an Awards for All Grant, new member Christine Gillespie is preparing a transcript of the Tithe Map details. Much head scratching and peering through magnifying glasses.has solved most of the illegible entries and thanks to everyone - especially Helen Farrow - who shared their local knowledge. All will be revealed at the AGM on September 20th when Christine demonstrates the kinds of questions the Tithe Map material can answer. For example - how many women landowners and farmers were there in Bampton back then? How many hoghouses were there and where?

At this AGM we will be looking for two new members of the Committee and we will be very happy to hear from anyone who is interested in joining. Please speak to any existing member.

In many ways the top spot of our year is the BBQ. It was held this year at Malcolm and Christine Evans, complete with glorious weather, generous hospitality, a most impressive model railway and an exploration of past and present efforts to contain the River Lowther. Despite Bob Dickman's efforts, no-one regretted that Lowther eels were missing from the fire on this occasion!

See also: News from the Burnbanks Project