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 £7 (£5 for concessions). Entrance to meetings is free to members, and £2.50 for non-members.
| Secretary | Speaker Secretary and Archivist | |
| Ann Craske | Elisabeth Jordan | |
| Chantry Cottage | Green Man Cottage | |
| 5 High Street | 9 Corby Road | |
| Gretton | Gretton | |
| Corby | Corby | |
| Northants. NN17 3DE | Northants. NN17 3BN | |
| Phone: (01536) 771102 | Phone: (01536) 770478 | |
| E-mail: anncraske@btinternet.com | E-mail: elisabeth.gretton@btinternet.com | |
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.
Transcriptions have been made of 39 wills from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, copies of which are available on request. Click here for details of the available wills.
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.
| 15 March | |
| Mr Frank H Wright was the Headmaster of Bugbrooke Primary School from 1887 until his death in | |
| 1919. He was keenly interested in all things scientific, not least of all the newly developed | |
| 'wireless'. He set up his home-made equipment in the school and the children used it all the time. | |
| 17 May | |
| This is about Laxton in Nottinghamshire. Stuart is Clerk to the Gaits and Commons of the Court Leet, | |
| an ancient farming system still continued today. Stuart's talk will be preceded by a short film. | |
| We may be able to arrange a group visit during the summer. | |
| 19 July | |
| The Black Death has been described as 'the greatest catastrophe ever'. How people reacted to this | |
| apocalyptic event, and how the survivors put their lives together, makes a fascinating story. | |
| 20 September | |
| J W Evans, established in 1881, is one of the most complete surviving historic factories in | |
| Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. Closed in 2008, it has been preserved, complete with dust and | |
| cobwebs, by English Heritage. This is the story of the factory and its preservation. | |
| This meeting will be followed by the Society's AGM. | |
| 22 November | |
| One of our favourite speakers returns with a subject that needs no introduction. We can be | |
| sure to learn details we did not know before! | |
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
 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 |