Sawston Village History Society

This is my nineteenth annual report, and it will show the Society continues to flourish. The committee hope the new programme will meet with your approval. As ever, suggestions for speakers are always welcome. Dorothy Ward has decided to stand down from the committee and we send her our thanks for her thoughtful contributions.

The 2023 AGM followed the previous pattern and occupied a very brief slot in which all the necessary actions were taken. Attendance at meetings this year varied from 28-38 members and guests. We enjoyed a number of talks on local topic, such as the history of Cycling in Cambridge, the archives in the Cambridgeshire Record Office at Ely, the work of Christopher Wren in Cambridge, the History of Cricket in Sawston, John Huntingdon’s Charity, the Historic Buildings of Duxford and Estate Maps from local Estates. Topics of a broader nature included the History of Christmas and the Dam Busters’ Raid. We also enjoyed a tour of Sawston Hall, at the kind invitation of John and Jennifer Crompton and a very informative visit to Peterhouse, Pembroke and Emmanuel to see the influences on Wren and examples of his work, led by Paul Shakeshaft.

Our initiative to provide a listening post in the garden of the Challis House came to fruition, thanks to the energy and persistence of Rob Richmond, with grants from Sawston Parish Council and the Fun Run. It is now installed and working and the memories of Pearl Mann and Ivan Start, two of our oldest members, can be enjoyed by all. The Fun Run publicity asked us for our logo and so we now have one, designed by Red Graphic and featuring Sawston Hall and it appears on the programme and membership cards.

Our web site has been kept up to date by Anita and Adrian to whom we are very grateful. A number of enquiries continue to come to the Society through the website.

The Challis Archive and Museum opened an exhibition about some of the charitable and other organisations in Sawston and several society members have helped with stewarding. The next exhibition will focus on the history of sport in Sawston. The archive is normally open on Tuesdays from 10.00 to 12.00 for visitors and to receive donations.

We were saddened by the loss of Tony Moss, a long-standing member of the committee, and we sent our condolences to Pam and the family and made a donation in his memory.

I am very grateful to Rob, our treasurer, for all his hard work and careful nurturing of our finances and to Tim who has taken over as minutes secretary and to all members of the committee for their contribution to running the society. I should further thank Rob who chaired a meeting when I was otherwise engaged and who has looked after the raffle along with Mary, also Geraldine and Aureole who looked after the raffle when Rob and Mary were away, Barry who arrives early with Doreen to put up the necessary equipment and Neil who has deputised for him and all those who have helped with refreshments.

I hope we have another successful year ahead of us.

Mary Dicken
Chairman