Arborfield
Local History Society

 Memories - Local History Recording Scheme

The
Berkshire Local History Club
from the 1800s 

 

The Local History Recording Scheme was an attempt to record Berkshire history, parish by parish; it flourished during the 1920's and 1930's, but by the 1960's enthusiasm waned. It was brought to Arborfield Local History Society's attention through a series of references in local newspapers after the end of World War II. The Reading Standard of 15th March 1946 mentioned that the County’s War History was being pieced together. It reported that:

"Records are accumulating in the ‘Local History Recording Scheme’ – 652 approved records have been sent in, from 149 parishes. Correspondents were asked to collect without delay all possible information as to the effects of war on the different parishes in the county. Notes were required on such matters as the ploughing-up of grasslands, war service, the effects of enemy action, evacuation, billeting and the work of the various wartime organisations."

The Reading Standard reported further progress in its edition of March 28th 1947, under the heading 'Recording Local History - War Diary of a Village':

“Revived interest in local history recording was reported by Mr, C. B. Willcocks at the 23rd annual meeting of the Local History Recording Scheme held at Reading University on Saturday [March 22nd].” It reported that 155 parishes were involved. “The Committee stresses once again the importance of collecting in each parish all obtainable records of the effect of the war on the district. One village kept a day-to-day record throughout the war..”

Was there a War History record for Arborfield? Yes - it was completed as late as 1953.

The Local History Recording Scheme books at Reading Local Studies Library There are two copies of the Local History Recording Scheme available: the first is at the British Library, and the second is at the Local Studies Library, as shown here (photo: Reading Local Studies Library).

Both are loose-leaf binders in alphabetical order by parish. Arborfield is reference 'A-6' in Volume 1.

The Local Studies Library has a leaflet explaining the scheme, entitled "The Local History Recording Scheme. Notes on recording local history : by C.B. Willcocks, F.S.A.", published by the Berkshire Local History Committee in 1952.

Here are the contents for Arborfield, showing the complicated cross-reference recording system. Click on the links for each article:

PARISH OF: Arborfield                                       REFERENCE NUMBER: A.6

PARISH REFERENCE NUMBER

SUBJECT REFERENCE NUMBER

DATE RECORD RECEIVED

SUBJECT OF RECORD

NOTES

A6-1

SH1

25.2.26

Rural Remedies

 

A6-2

SL3; SL7

26.8.30

The Bull Inn Club

 

A6-3

SM3-45

11.4.34

Monumental Inscriptions (Old & New Churches) & C’Yards

 

A6-4

SA3; SA4
SE3; SE4
SM3; SM4

1.3.40

Old & New Churches

 

A6-5

SP2

28.10.40

Entries from Parish Register

 

A6-6

SA4; SC6
SM3

21.5.41

Arborfield Hall Laundry, demolished. Cottages & Standen Tomb in Hargreaves Chapel

 

A6-7

SM1

2.2.53

The Bullock Family

 

A6-8

SN2; SA1

2.7.53

Changes at Newland Farm

 

A6-9

SL6; SM4
SN1

26.9.53

History of the village of Arborfield, 1938-1945

 

A6-10

SL6; SL9 

18.2.56

Exhibition at Arborfield, 1955

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also: PARISH OF: Barkham                                       REFERENCE NUMBER: B.1

'Theft of Lands at Barkham'

 

With acknowledgements to Reading Local Studies Library

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