| ‘Frolic, Fervour and Fornication’is the
kind of title which would persuade most people that it was worth turning
out on a cold February evening, and sure enough there was a good audience
for Pip Wright’s talk.
We were treated to an amusing and well- researched lecture on the
contents of the Parish Chest, the Church Registers and local newspapers
with reference to ‘Hatches, Matches and Despatches’
and anyone who was thinking about writing a historical novel would
have been amazed at some of the touching stories which appeared
therein.
The Parish Chest was kept in the Church. It usually had three locks
and the Vicar and the two Churchwardens kept the keys. As all three
had to be there to open the Chest, there were often difficulties
in keeping proper records. When Chests got too full, the contents
would be either thrown away, if they seemed irrelevant, or given
to the Record Office.
Pip read some touching accounts of lives blighted by forbidden
love, illegitimate children and threats of ex- communication. He
and his wife have published several books on Local History.
The History Society Library, which now has around one hundred books,
will be moving to a central location. Wickhambrook Primary School
library has expanded to serve the whole community of children, parents
and villagers and the sharing of facilities will benefit all of
us. Talks are being held between the History Society Committee and
the School, to sort out the practicalities.
The programme for 2005-2006 is now complete and has a very interesting
mix of talks and outings.
|
