The Meeting Minutes will be add to this page with the most recent first The AGM minutes are included in date order.

Minutes of the 11th meeting of the Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 26th October 09

Present:
Heather Ashworth, David Bradbury, Bob Foster, Don Goodwin, Irene Kirkpatrick, Joyce Matthews, Gwen Stephens.
Apologies:
John Ashworth, Christine & Fred Bradshaw, Anne Nadin, Wayne Stephens, Alan & Judy Weeks, and Christine Woodward,

Minutes of the 10th meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting were read and signed as being accurate.

Matters Arising

Exhibition during the flower festival. It is believed that Fred may have the list of contacts. Irene will verify. It was suggested that Freda Sweatmore be contacted.
A list is being compiled of historical books owned by members. It was agreed that many books are too precious for the owners to loan them out but we need to be aware of their existence.
Website – Bob informed us that it has not been necessary to purchase the software yet but he will do so if more items become available which require it.
Different members have attended the meetings at Hollinsclough, Swythamley, Leek Arts club and Leek & District Historical Society.
Members with internet access offered help to members without.

Finance
We have £52-81 in the building society, after paying for the running costs of the website.

Correspondence

Swythamley Historical Society has made arrangements for the meeting on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Date to be arranged.
Members were informed about the current threads on the message board and asked to respond to them if possible.

Research groups

Two groups were unable to report back on this occasion because of unavoidable absence. A request was passed on from Christine about her missing papers concerning the chapel. Members were asked to check their paperwork from earlier meetings.
Irene showed the group her work so far on Lud’s church.

AOB
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30 pm.

Date of next meeting – As our regular date for meeting falls near Christmas, the date has been changed to Monday 4th January 2010 at 8.00 pm, in the Trout.

Minutes of the 10th meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 7th Sept 09

Present:
Heather Ashworth, Christine Bradshaw, Irene Kirkpatrick, Margaret Moss, Anne Nadin, Brian Wainwright, and Christine Woodward,
Apologies:
Fred Bradshaw, Bob Foster, Gwen & Wayne Stephens, Noreen Wainwright, Alan and Judy Weeks.

Minutes of the 9th meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting were read and signed as being accurate.

Matters Arising

Exhibition during the flower festival. It was noted that there had been a lot of interest in the display over several days.
It was agreed that we should contact the people who had left their names. Gwen will be asked if she has the list.
A list is being compiled of historical books owned by members, who may be willing to loan them to other members. Irene requested that details be given to her so that this can be completed as soon as possible.

Finance

Anne reported that we have £77-81 in the building society.
Bob has invoiced Anne for the annual costs for the running of the website.
Bob has asked us if we would like to buy a professional version of some software which will enable us to display scanned items on our Archives page of the website. The present file is free but leaves a banner across the image. Irene proposed that we pay the $20 as it will improve access as more items become available. This was seconded by Margaret.

Correspondence

Swythamley Historical Society has a meeting on Friday 23rd October at 7.30 pm in the Swythamley Centre. Irene can give a lift to anyone interested.
Geoff Browne wrote to tell us about the Leek Arts Club meeting on Tuesday 22nd September at 7.30 in the Dove Room in Moorlands House. It is about an important benefactor of our church, Roger Morrice.
We have received several e-mails from around the world from people researching their family history. Bob has added a message board to the website which should facilitate an exchange of knowledge once more people have registered. Members were asked to spread the news and to register themselves.

Research groups

The church. Christine B. told us how interesting her trip to the William Salt museum with Fred had been. She felt that we would all enjoy it. Brian told us about his photographs of the inside of the bell tower. Members expressed an interest in seeing them and/or the possibility of publishing them on the website
Christine W. reiterated, for members who had missed the last meeting, what she had discovered about the chapel and worship held in private homes.
Irene showed photographs and copies of old postcards (from Alan and Judy) of Lud’s church. She talked of the possibility of a link with Celtic gods, the probability of the link with a monk from Dieulacres Abbey and the story told about the Lollards’ use of the site for hidden services in a time of persecution.

AOB
A concern was expressed about members with no access to the internet. Views would be appreciated on methods of including all members more fully.

Date of next meeting - Monday 26th October 2009 at 8.00 pm in the Trout.

Minutes of the 9th meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 22 Jun 09

Present:
Christine and Fred Bradshaw, Bob Foster, Joyce Matthews, Gwen Stephens, Wayne Stephens and Christine Woodward,
Apologies:
Graham Robinson, Heather Ashworth, Ivy Goodwin, Margaret Goldstraw, Irene Kirkpatrick and Anne Nadin.

Minutes of the 8th meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting were read and signed as being accurate.

Matters Arising
1.Exhibition – the Fete exhibition went well. There was much interest. The display board worked very well in spite of being knocked over on the Friday night prior to the fete.

2.Exhibition for the Flower festival – We will set up the stand on Thursday 2nd July at 4pm as before but will have to take it down on Friday at 6pm and store at the rear of the stage as there is a dance on the Friday evening. The stand will then be re-erected on Saturday morning. Fred will coordinate this.
Bob will arrange to put the advertising board out in the church yard.
The display will not be manned this time. Gwen will arrange forms for anyone interested in providing information to fill in.

3.No one had done a list of the historical books they own. So this action is carried over.

Finance
Fred has audited the accounts. £7 was collected from the attendees and Gwen will deliver this to Anne.
Bob has a receipt for £25.53 for the next years subscription for the hosting of the website.

Updates to the website
There have been no recent additions. Bob will include the pages necessary for the new projects shortly.

Projects
Christine W has started researching the chapel and found very interesting information in the History of Staffordshire and in one of Sheila Hine’s books. A number of houses as places of worship appeared in the texts too.

Joyce and Irene have visited Lud Church to take photographs. Joyce has spoken to Doug Pickford and he has agreed to supply Joyce with any references he has to Lud Church.

Fred and Christine are continuing to research the church.

Collaboration with other groups
We thought it would be useful to know the dates when Swythamley Historical groups meets.

AOB - Future plans
We discussed the BBC4 program ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ and its association with the area and Lud Church. Alan Weeks of Swythamley has suggested we collaborate and bring in a speaker on this poem. Alan has an expert in mind. This was accepted to be progressed by Bob.
Should we contact Simon Armitage, the presenter of the BBC program?

The meeting sends our best wishes to Irene for a speedy recovery

Date of next meeting - Monday 7th Sept 8.00 pm.

Minutes of the 1st Annual General Meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 22 Jun 09 8pm

Election of Officers

The secretary, treasurer and chairman were all willing to continue. Irene, Anne and Bob were all re-elected unanimously.

Matters Arising
None

Reports

The Chairman reported that the year had gone well with consistent interest throughout. We have 6 projects running with valuable information collected for all. The website is attracting visitors from around the world and proving to be a good repository for our work.
We have purchased a digital recorder and have recorded contributions from a number of people some of which is already on the website.
The exhibition we provided at the fete attracted a satisfying level of interest.
Joan Bennett as a speaker attracted considerable interest to her very interesting talk.
Two quiz nights at the Lazy Trout contributed to the society funds as well as being good fun.

The Treasurer reported (in her absence) –
Total money coming in                                  £150.00
Total money out                                     £ 79.19
Balance in the building soc                   £ 70.81

The accounts were audited by Fred Bradshaw

AOB

None

The meeting closed at 8-15pm

Minutes of the 8th meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 27th April 09

Present:
Heather Ashworth, Christine and Fred Bradshaw, Bob Foster, Margaret Goldstraw, Ivy Goodwin, Irene Kirkpatrick, Joyce Matthews, Anne Nadin, Gwen Stephens and Christine Woodward,
Apologies:
John Ashworth, Graham Robinson, Wayne Stephens Brian Wainwright, Alan and Judy Weeks.

Minutes of the 7th meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting were read and signed as being accurate.

Matters Arising

Exhibition – It has been agreed that we may put our display on the stage in the village hall during the day of the church fete and the weekend of the flower festival.

Fred has organized the stands and we can mount our work on the morning of Saturday June 6th. Velcro type pads will be used to fasten papers to the boards.
Fred will supply the permanent title for the board.
Bob will make the subtitles for this year’s exhibition.
Gwen, Fred and Irene will take responsibility for the content of each group’s work.
Bob and Gwen will arrange publicity for the exhibition at the entrance to the village field.
Tables will be used in front of the boards for any handouts or laminated copies of maps or other items of interest which need to be examined more closely.
Requests for information and recordings will be displayed as well as publicity for the website.
Joyce and Anne will man the stand between 2 and 3 o’clock

Heather and Bob between 3 and 4 o’clock
Fred and Irene after 4 o’clock.

Members agreed to phone Irene (01260 227282) if they are available for the flower festival, especially Saturday and Sunday.

Visiting speaker – Joyce and Gwen will photocopy their copies of the information given by Joan.

Finance
Anne reported that we have £69-81 in the building society, after making payments to Bob and Irene for their expenditure. An attendance sheet will be used for the future when subscriptions are collected and Fred has agreed to check the finances in time for the AGM.

Updates to the website
More information has been placed on the well page and Bob’s recording of Edna Barlow is on the reminiscences page.
New research groups
We shall be researching information on The church, the chapel and Lud church with Fred and Christine doing the first, Christine Heather and Gwen doing the second and Joyce, Bob and Irene doing the last.
AGM
This will take place on 22nd June at 8.00 pm, before our normal meeting. Reports will be needed from the Chair and the Treasurer. Will the present officers please indicate whether or not they are prepared to stand for a second year?
Collaboration with other groups
Sue Gaukroger from Hollinsclough has suggested that we link with History Live in the future. It was agreed that we should support their meetings and Swythamley’s when we can and specifically where there is overlap with our own research.
AOB - Future plans
A discussion took place regarding possible speakers and the usefulness of a collection of books of local history. Heather offered to contact Geoff Browne and we all agreed to make a list of our own books which could then be circulated around the group.

Date of next meeting - Monday 22nd June 2009 at 8.00 pm.

Minutes of the 7th meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 30th March 09

Present:
Heather Ashworth, Christine and Fred Bradshaw, Norman Goodwin, Gill Heath , Irene Kirkpatrick, Joyce Matthews, Margaret Moss, Anne Nadin, Graham Robinson, Gwen and Wayne Stephens, Brian Wainwright, Alan and Judy Weeks.

Apologies:
John Ashworth, Bob Foster and Noreen Wainwright.

Minutes of the 4th meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting having been circulated were accepted as read.

Matters Arising

Quiz Night – Fred and Christine were thanked for organizing everything once again. It was agreed that it was most enjoyable and we raised £38 for the group finances.
Exhibition – Fred has organized the stands. Now we have to prepare the items for show.

Finance
Anne reported that we have £120 in the building society.
Subscriptions were collected.

Visiting speaker – Joan Bennett

Joan told us a little of her background and her connections with Meerbrook, through her own family history. She also talked of “Eureka moments” when everything seems to move forward with a piece of research. She then gave us examples of useful places to look when researching. E.g.

By studying several maps of an area the progression over time can be noted. On Speed’s map of 1610 mills were represented by small circles.

Yates map of 1775 shows several farms, including Alder Lee, Marsh house and New Grange.
Tithe maps are available for about 1840 for Meerbrook and we need to ask at Lichfield for these.

Clippings can be kept from local papers. Joan showed us some from the Post and Times and Spark as well as reminding us to look at old copies of the Leek Post.
Trade directories are available at the library. Joan gave examples of the information available by quoting from Whites directory of 1851. Firstly there is a description of the parish. It referred to a dye house at White Bridge, William Brocklehurst as an owner of land, and the fact that Caldwell the physician lived here in 1515. This was followed by a list of some of the occupants of the parish.
There is free access to the census returns of 1901
The County Poll Book for 1747 is held at the Record Office. People who were entitled to vote had their names recorded. (From 1694 – 1716 general elections were held each year but if MPs were elected unopposed there was no record.

Joan then continued by demonstrating how information can be recorded in a simple “table format” to produce a story of a particular dwelling, which she illustrated with information about New Grange. Using the headings of

Date	Information	Source

She showed how she had obtained information from

“Tomb inscriptions” by Elizabeth Bass (1981-82)
“Gateway to the Past” website for the Record office www.archives.staffordshire.gov.uk
“Leek Easter Book 1799 to 1806” A W Bednall
Wills, which are held at the Lichfield office.
Probate inventories. From 1383 wills were approved at Canterbury but from 1858 the principal probate house was at Somerset House. Neighbours of the deceased would be entrusted to make the list e.g. William Edge and Richard Wood appraised the goods of William Allen, a tenant of New Grange, Meerbrook.

Joan gave members copies of several documents which need to be copied and shared with other members.

AOB - Future plans
Fred has made an excellent start on researching the history of St Matthew’s church. Members need to be prepared to say which group they would like to join by the next meeting.

Date of next meeting - Monday 27th April 2009 at 8.00 pm.

Minutes of the 6th meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 12th January 09

Present:
Christine and Fred Bradshaw, Bob Foster, Irene Kirkpatrick, Anne Nadin,

Apologies:
Gwen and Wayne Stephens.

Minutes of the 4th meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting were accepted and signed as correct.

Matters Arising

Eye witness accounts – Glenys Barlow’s memories are now stored on the website. It was agreed that we should go ahead with more recordings between now and March

January	Bernard Machin	By Irene
February	Hilda Allen & Joan Wooliscroft	By Gwen and Anne
February	Edna Goldstraw	By Bob
March	Gill Heath	By Christine

Quiz Night – Fred and Christine have organized everything for the evening of Thursday January 15th. Members have been asked to supply raffle prizes. Irene will phone Brian about the raffle tickets.
Visit by Joan Bennett. Joan has agreed to come to a future meeting to discuss our methods of research with us. She is available on 23rd February but, as several members will be away, Irene will try to re-arrange this for 30th March.
Exhibition – June 6th and a weekend in July to be arranged with the Flower festival. We shall need to organize a rota of members prepared to man the exhibition and, if possible, make recordings of people’s memories. We wondered if this may be a way of finding out more about Bob’s mystery object or the standing stone on Gun.

Finance
Anne reported that we have collected £86, including tonight’s subscriptions. Bob will supply the headed paper which is needed to set up the building society account and the 3 officers will call in to Leek United with proof of identity.

Updates on the website
Fred’s very comprehensive work about Dain’s mill is available to read now. The new information on the flooded properties needs to be added next.

Reports of the research groups
Each group is finding it difficult to move forward at the moment. Heather’s photographs have been laminated and are ready for the exhibition.

Future plans
It was decided that we should move ahead with research on “Places of worship”. The groups may wish to re-organise to study the importance of the Abbey, St Matthew’s, the chapel, Lud church and homes used for worship. This does not mean that last year’s research will stop however.

AOB
Since last meeting there had been a possibility of buying a secondhand overhead projector. Unfortunately we have been outbid but we shall look into it again in the future when we have built up our reserves or obtained funding through a grant.

Date of next meeting - Monday 30th March 2009 at 8.00 pm.

Minutes of the 5th meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 27th October 08

Present:
Heather Ashworth, Christine and Fred Bradshaw, Bob Foster, Norman Goodwin, Irene Kirkpatrick , Anne Nadin, Gwen and Wayne Stephens and Brian Wainwright.

Apologies:
John Ashworth, Linda Ferneyhough, Noreen Wainwright and Christine Woodward.

Minutes of the 4th meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting were accepted and signed as correct.

Matters Arising

Eye witness accounts – Glenys Barlow’s memories were recorded and this will now be edited and stored on the website.
Quiz Night – Fred and Christine were thanked for organising the questions and raffle. £47 was raised but £10 was given out as prize money. Everyone agreed that it had been a very pleasant evening and Fred has agreed to organise more questions for another evening on Thursday January 15th.
Dain’s Mill – The tour of Dain’s Mill was very well attended. Brian Ball was very generous with his time and gave us an interesting talk about the different parts of the mill. Some of this has been recorded and Bob has put photographs and the first piece of audio onto the website. The rest will now be edited and added.
Exhibition – It was suggested that we should try to mount a display for the day of the Church fete as well as the week of the flower festival. Fred has kindly offered to loan the group his display panels for use in the village hall.
Speakers – Irene has not been able to speak to Ray Poole or Joan Bennett yet but will endeavour to do so in November.

Finance
Anne reported that we have collected £81, including tonight’s subscriptions.

Reports of the research groups

Lost properties. Gwen has found additional photographs on the internet for the extension of the reservoir.
Water Mills. Fred has found additional information (in British History online) relating to Dain’s Mill, Waterhouse Mill and Mills at Turner’s Pool and Dieulacres.
Wells. A study of old maps has revealed that there were wells in Leekfrith opposite Church Cottages, at The Marsh and at Middle Hulme, as well as several outlying farms. Pumps were also recorded at 7 additional farms.

Future plans
It was agreed that the research groups need to meet to organise the information found and to start to prepare it in a manner which will be good enough to use in the exhibition.

Local Maps
A selection of old maps of the parish were brought to the meeting, as well as documents from Dain’s Mill, papers from Mary Breeze and local history books. It was interesting to see what we could learn from them and we felt they were worthy of much more time being spent on them where possible.

AOB
None

Date of next meeting - Monday 12th January 2009 at 8.00 pm.

Minutes of the 4th meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 18th August 08

Present:
Heather Ashworth, Christine and Fred Bradshaw, Bob Foster, Norman Goodwin, Irene Kirkpatrick , Anne Nadin, Noreen and Brian Wainwright, Christine Woodward.

Apologies:
Gwen and Wayne Stephens, John Ashworth

Minutes of the 3rd meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as correct.

Matters Arising

Interviews – Irene will start by talking to Glenys Barlow.
Quiz Night – We shall hold a fund raising quiz night on Thursday October 16th at the Lazy Trout, beginning at 8.00 p.m. Entry will cost £1 per person with a maximum number of 4 people in each team. There will be a prize of £10 for the best team. Fred agreed to supply the questions, Noreen will inform locals through the newsletter and Irene will make and distribute the posters. Raffle prizes will be supplied by members and Brian will bring the raffle tickets.
Dain’s Mill – We agreed that it would be beneficial if the whole group could be invited to the tour of Dain’s Mill. Christine has contacted Brian Ball and Bob will phone him again to see if 26th August is convenient for him. Members should meet there at 7.30 p.m. Car sharing will probably help, where possible.
Exhibition – It was agreed that we should ask the organizers of the flower festival for permission to hold an exhibition of our work in the village hall next year. This would include photographs and some findings from our research.
A discussion took place about the relevance of Alan Williamson’s material and it was suggested that Ray Poole be approached about his photographs of the area. Irene will ask him.

Finance
Anne reported that we now have £23 in our funds. She will set up an account with Leek United Building Society on behalf of the group, with two signatures out of four being required for withdrawals. A £1 subscription was paid by all present. Irene will contact CVS about other funding.

Reports of the research groups

Lost properties. The photos of the area before the latest extension to the reservoir have been added to the website.
Water Mills. Two appointments were made to visit Dain’s Mill but the weather conditions made it inappropriate. Bernard Allen will be invited to the visit on 26th August as he was the last person to take corn for milling. No further information about Waterhouse Mill has been obtained as yet.
Wells. Heather has ascertained that every property on the lane to Hillswood has a spring. Further reading of the directories in Leek library has provided much interesting information, but nothing of relevance to Meerbrook well. A study of old local maps will now be undertaken.

Future plans

It was agreed that members should bring to the next meeting any copies of old maps which they hold.
It was agreed that Irene should confirm a date with Joan Bennett for advising us on our methods of research.

AOB
None

Date of next meeting

Monday 27th October 2008 at 8.00 pm.

Minutes of the 3rd meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 30.July.08

Present:
Heather Ashworth, Bob Foster, Gwen Stephens, Wayne Stephen, Noreen Wainwright, Christine Woodward.

Apologies:
Irene Kirkpatrick , Nell Boulton, Fred and Christine Bradshaw, Brian Wainwright, June Sherratt, John Ashworth

Minutes of the 2nd meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as correct.

Matters Arising

The website has been set up – www.leekfrithhistory.org.uk. The cost is approx £40 and has been paid by Bob Foster. This will be reclaimed when the society has sufficient funds.
A £1 subscription was paid by all present . This will be given to Anne Nadin by Gwen.
A digital recording machine has been purchased by Irene at a cost of about £35. This will be reclaimed when the society has sufficient funds. Noreen commented that she had a tape recording of Charlie Fernyough which she will hopefully bring to the next meeting.
No interviews have been conducted as yet.
Funding issues will be addressed on Irene’s return.

Adopting a formal constitution
The draft constitution was accepted without any changes.

Reports of the research groups

Lost properties. Gwen has obtained, from Severn Trent, photographs of the valley prior to the flooding and documents on the compulsory purchase of land. Also a photocopy of the Inauguration Booklet for the formal opening of the reservoir by Princess Margaret. Unfortunately 2 pages are missing. It is hoped someone in the area may have an original copy. The photos will be added to the website.
Water Mills. No further progress since the last meeting. Christine had some notes about Waterhouse Mill from Ron Allen and may interview Hilda Allen to expand on them.
Wells. No progress since last meeting.

Future plans

It was suggested by Noreen that we have a quiz night at the Trout to raise funds. This will be discussed at the next meeting to set something up in Oct/Nov.
A tour of Dains Mill sometime before the end of September was proposed. Bob to discuss with Irene.
The idea of an exhibition of our findings in the Village Hall for the Fete or Flower festival was put forward.
As a fund raiser could we run a slide show like Alan Williamson did for the Centenary celebrations for the village hall?.
Does Alan Williamson have any material which would be useful to us?

AOB
None

Date of next meeting

Monday 18th August 2008 at 8.00 pm as the last Monday of that month is the Bank holiday.

Minutes of the 2nd meeting of Leekfrith Bygone Days. Monday 28.04.08

Present:
Heather and John Ashworth, Bob Foster, Ivy Goodwin, Irene Kirkpatrick, Margaret Moss, June Sherratt, Gwen Stephens, Brian Wainwright, Christine Woodward.

Apologies:
Glenys Barlow, Nell Boulton, Fred and Christine Bradshaw, Linda Ferneyhough, Norman Goodwin, Gill Heath, Anne Nadin, Wayne Stephens, Noreen Wainwright.

Minutes of the inaugural meeting:
Minutes of the last meeting, having been circulated were accepted as correct but held for signing until the Chair was appointed.

Election of Chair
Bob Foster was proposed as Chair by Irene Kirkpatrick and seconded by Gwen Stephens.

Election of Secretary
Irene Kirkpatrick was proposed as secretary by Bob Foster and seconded by Heather Ashworth.

Election of Treasurer
Anne Nadin was proposed as Treasurer (in her absence) by Irene Kirkpatrick and seconded by Bob Foster. (Anne had agreed to this when giving her apologies.)

Adopting a formal constitution
Prior to the meeting, Colleen Savage from CVS (Leek) had collected information from Irene Kirkpatrick and Gwen Stephens regarding the inaugural meeting, membership and contact details of the group and had agreed to help to draft the constitution, by liaising with the secretary. This draft is to be proposed at the meeting in June and if satisfactory to be adopted by the membership.

Reports of the research groups

Lost properties. Local history books and old maps have been used to gain more information about the properties lost to the extended reservoir. June has verified names of two residents of Fountain Cottages and will talk to Mrs. Findlow from the Fountain Inn.
Water Mills. Brian Ball of Daines Mill has a lot of information regarding the mill but the group has not been able to visit it just yet. Bernard Allen was the last person to take corn to be milled there. Eye witnesses recalled seeing Waterhouse Mill, but never in use.
Wells. The group met at the village well to record it as it is at present, taking measurements and photographs. They have also met at the local history section of Leek library to look at maps and trade directories. Eye witness accounts are needed next.

Future plans

Bob will start to set up the website so that records can be stored in a manner which is accessible to a wider audience.
It was agreed that each member should give £1 per meeting to help to fund this.
Irene agreed to find out the costs of digital dictation machines so that interviews can be taped, either ready for transcription or to record straight on to the website.
It was agreed that interviews will need to be informal with questions leading to reminiscences and written records will be in a conversational style.
It was agreed that the history walk would probably need to be delayed a little while we establish the group and the research.
It was suggested that the work of the WI (under the guidance of E W Bass) on recording the details of the parish gravestones be added to the website as a future project with the permission of the WI.

AOB
John suggested that we ask CVS for ideas for organizations to approach for funding as we shall need help for our future plans.

Date of next meeting

Monday 30th June at the later time of 8.00 pm.

Minutes of the Inaugural Meeting of the group to be called - "LEEKFRITH - BYGONE DAYS"

A notice appeared on the notice board of The Lazy Trout pub in Meerbrook, posted by Irene Kirkpatrick and inviting those interested in the history of Meerbrook and surrounds, to attend a meeting at the pub on Monday, 25th Feb 2008 at 7.30pm. A number of people turned up and those present were:-

          Irene Kirkpatrick
          Heather Ashworth
          June Sherratt
          Fred and Christine Bradshaw
          Wayne and Gwen Stephens
          Bob Foster
          Glenys Barlow
          Margaret Moss
          Norman Goodwin
          Ann Naden

A number of people sent their apologies saying they wanted to be involved but were unavoidably absent on the evening and these were:-

          Gill Heath
          Nell Boulton
          Ivy Goodwin
          Christine Woodward
          Noreen Wainwright.

It was clear from the attendance and interest that there was more than enough to start a group, but at that stage, there were no elected officers and as a temporary arrangement, Irene Kirkpatrick would take the chair and Fred Bradshaw would be acting secretary for the evening. For the group to be properly constituted as " LEEKFRITH - BYGONE DAYS", as it will be seen in the minutes below that was the name decided upon, there would have to be a proper election of officers with proposer and seconder for each position, and in the event of more than one person being proposed for the same office, a vote to appoint, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

1. The meeting got underway with the apologies listed above.

2. In discussion prior to the meeting, it was clear that the history of this area was of great interest to all present and the name which was suggested by Bob Foster was "LEEKFRITH -BYGONE DAYS" which seemed to please everybody. It was agreed we should split up into 3 groups in the 1st year to study the general heading of WATER. The sub-heading of the 3 is:-

(1) Wells

(2) Mills

(3) Properties Lost To The Reservoir.

3. A 2nd theme for the future, Religion and the buildings relevant to that subject.

4. Bob Foster suggested that we start a web site where we could collect and display all the information of interest that we uncovered, and this was well received.

5. It was agreed that we would have the meetings every 2 months on a Monday evening and the venue would be The Lazy Trout.

6. It was agreed that, although Leekfrith was the area involved, we would blur the boundaries to include the whole of Upper Hulme and other places adjacent to Leekfrith Parish boundary.

7. Bob Foster gave an up-date on work being done on the well next to the Methodist Chapel in Meerbrook, including work hoped to be carried out and funded by grants that would be available if we can unearth a knowledge of the history of the Well.

8. Irene Kirkpatrick listed a number of people whom she felt would have information and could be of assistance in our research and details were taken down by the individuals who thought this may be relevant to them.

9. Those present were split into the 3 groups listed above and are as follows:-

Wells - group leader Irene assisted by Heather, Ann and Bob.

Lost Properties - group leaders Wayne & Gwen assisted by June and Norman

Mills - group leader Margaret assisted by Fred & Christine, although Bob said he would also like to be involved in this project.

Glenys said she would like to be able to float over each of the groups and assist as necessary.

10. It was agreed that during summer months, meetings could start and finish at the pub with outside visits to places of interest in between.

11. It was suggested by Bob Foster that we should apply for grants to finance the expenses we were bound to incur from time to time, and this was to be a subject for discussion at the next meeting.

12. The meeting was asked that, if they knew of anybody who had experience of running a similar group to ours, could we ask them if they can assist us in our early days with suggestions on the best way forward and of doing things in the most effective way.

13. All were asked to give details of e-mail addresses, postal addresses and tel. nos. to Irene who would prepare a list for distributing to all members.

14. Christine proposed and all accepted, that Fred would write up the minutes of this meeting!!

15. The date of the next meeting was set for Monday 28th April at 7.30pm at The Lazy Trout.

After the meeting, the 3 groups split for informal discussion on their chosen subject and to discuss their first moves.