Gretton Local History Society

The Gretton Local History Society was formed in 1989, and has gradually accumulated a substantial archive of memories, documents and photographs, some of which were used to mount an exhibition in 1994.

We are always pleased to receive anything which is of local interest, memories, photographs, or documents, all of which add to the portrait of Gretton in the past.

Society meetings are held every two months in the village hall with a variety of interesting talks, and outings are arranged in the summer. If you are interested in carrying out research please contact us, as it is a worthwhile and interesting hobby, and we are always grateful for extra help.

The Society publishes the magazine Taking Stock, which highlights particular facets of Gretton village life. Recent editions have concentrated on the village pubs, working life and children in Gretton. The latest edition of the Society's magazine, Taking Stock of Gretton Archives, features many of the interesting items from the Society's archives. It is available from Gretton Post Office at a cost of £3.

Details of all copies of Taking Stock and other publications can be found on our List of Publications page. Copies can be obtained by sending a cheque, payable to "Gretton Local History Society", to Ann Craske at the address below.

If you are interested in joining the Society, annual membership is £6 (£4 for concessions). Entrance to meetings is free to members, and £2 for non-members.

 

     Secretary              Speaker Secretary and Archivist
Ann Craske Elisabeth Jordan
Chantry Cottage Little Close
5 High Street 13 Arnhill Road
Gretton Gretton
Northants. NN17 3DE Northants. NN17 3DN
Phone: (01536) 771102 Phone: (01536) 770478
E-mail: anncraske@btinternet.com E-mail: elisabeth.gretton@btinternet.com

Gretton Parish Records

The Society holds transcripts of the Parish Church registers of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials from 1558 to the 20th century (various dates) in alphabetical order of family name.

The Society also holds transcripts of the Census Returns for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911, also in alphabetical order of family name.

The inscriptions on burial monuments in both the Parish Church and the Baptist Church burial grounds have been recorded and transferred to computer, and are now available by family name.

The Society is always pleased to be of help, so please get in touch if there is anything else we can offer you. We should also be pleased to receive a copy of the results of your research to add to our archives. Your enquiries and contributions should be directed to Elisabeth Jordan, at the address above.

 

Society Meetings for 2009

All meetings are held on Thursdays at 7.30pm in Gretton Village Hall

 
16 July
"The History of the Bow" by Stuart Wright and Ian Preston
Archery has a long history from the Prehistoric to the Present. Stuart and Ian will take
us through this history and follow it by allowing members of the audience to "have a go"
if they wish.
 
17 September    
"Rockingham Castle and the Watsons" by Michael Boyce
By using slides Michael Boyce will take us on a tour of Rockingham Castle with stories of
events there including the Civil War, Charles Dickens visits and some of the castle ghosts.
This meeting will be followed by the Society's Annual General Meeting.
 
19 November
"Who Owned Rutland in 1873" by Tim Clough
Our speaker used to be the Curator at Oakham Museum. Since retiring, one of his topics
for research has been the owners of land in Rutland, one of whom was Gretton's parchment
maker, Thomas Myers. Maybe there were others too. Come along and find out.
 

 

WELLAND VIADUCT 125TH ANNIVERSARY

An exhibition was held in July 2003, in Gretton Village Hall, to mark the 125th anniversary of the keying of the last arch of the Welland Viaduct.

A new publications was launched at the exhibition, details of which are given below. To purchase the book please send a cheque payable to "Gretton Local History Society" to Ann Craske at the address above. Please include the charge for postage and packing as detailed below.

A facsimile reprint of the 19th century book

"LIFE & WORK AMONG THE NAVVIES"

by Rev D W Barratt

Provides a first-hand account of navvy life during construction of the Welland Viaduct.

£14.99      Postage & Packing: £1.50

 

Enhance your PC with the

Gretton Screensaver

Over 40 photographs of the village and Welland Viaduct displayed in a random sequence with 30 different transitions.

Produced by Gretton Local History Society.

Only £2 on CD-ROM. Available from Ann Craske at the address above.

Other Internet Sites of Local Interest

    Gretton - a Northamptonshire Village              Deene Park
    Kettering Civic Society        Rockingham Castle
    Northamptonshire People and Places           Welland Viaduct
    UK + Ireland Genealogy - Northamptonshire                Kirby Hall
    1st Gretton Cubs and Scouts Group                Rutland Water

 

"Local History Magazine"

Britain's No. 1 national magazine about all aspects of local history!

Click here for further information

 

Last updated 22 May 2009 - Maurice Kellner