AIMS AND ORGANISATION

The Wychwoods Local History Society, founded by village members in 1981 (see Dr Margaret Ware's detailed article on the first 21 years as published in the Society's Journal No. 18), meets once a month from September through to May with nine evening talks. With over 250 members, the Society researches and publishes local and family history. It also arranges periodic outings and exhibitions.

The Society holds a large collection of old photographs of people and places in the three Wychwood villages of Shipton, Ascott and Milton as well as copies of the parish registers from the sixteen century, nineteenth century censuses, poor law records and many old documents and books, all of which are available for local and family historians, both from within the village and worldwide. A programme of digitalising some of these photographs has been started. Click here to read about this or click on images to see the first images put on this site sorted by separate location links.

Members carry out original research covering many aspects of village life and history including oral history, archaeological field walking, a comprehensive church survey and hedge dating. This research is published in Wychwoods History each year, a publication that has an academic reputation. Two books of local photographs have been published as well as a village walk leaflet. An oral history project interviewing women who lived in the Wychwoods during World War Two was published as That’s How it Was. (see Publications )

Members of the Society are happy to make searches in the Society’s archives for family historians for a modest fee. The Society is also keen to receive local history and family information of the Wychwood villages.

Meetings usually alternate between the village halls at Milton and Shipton and visitors are welcome (see Programme). Current membership is £6 for an individual and £9 for a couple or overseas member, which includes a copy of Wychwoods History when published.

Further details of the Society and its activities can be obtained from the Secretary (see Contact)