The >War memorial St.Mary’s Church, Newent.

             Newent War Memorial

A new book is being launched at Newent Onion Fayre on 9^th September about the Newent War Memorial.  It has been written by members of Newent Local History Society and gives details about the Newent men whose names are inscribed on the memorial as well as those who should have been included. There are 110 in total.

The book is entitled “We Will Remember Them” and has taken three years to write, and is timed to coincide with the 100^th anniversary of the end of World War I.  Details include the families, occupations and service history of each man, as well as their burial place, and medals awarded.  The dead of both World Wars are included.

Leader of the project and Chairman of the Society, Dood Pearce, said “This has been a mammoth task and has involved research in many regimental museums and archives, newspapers, graveyards and Parish records by several society members. Help has also been given by the families, who have found photographs and letters. It will be a useful resource for local and family historians”.

The book will be on sale in St Mary’s Church, Newent, where the memorial is situated, price £12.  If you cannot get to the Onion Fayre a copy can be obtained from Dood Pearce on 01531 821398 or e-mail doodpearce@btinternet.com

57 members enjoyed an excellent evening of folk music from ‘May Thrill’ They played two sets either side of a delicious buffet supplied by the 4 Seasons Deli.

Our thanks to Lionel for the organisation of this successful evening, managing to squeeze us into the room and leave space for the band !

Lionel organised two very popular visits – full details on the visits page

Summers Family 1873

The remaining gravestones in St.Mary’s Churchyard were surveyed by Frances Penney + Dood Pearce from 1982-1987. These records have now been digitised, and the gravestones re-photographed to create digital copies which can be sent anywhere in the world on request. The Newent Cemetery Burial Records have been transcribed from 1865-2014 and indexed; the Grave records have also been digitally copied to enable quick access and again can be sent anywhere in the world. The Old Section of the Cemetery (Plots 1-1484) have been surveyed, recorded, and photographed before the inscriptions disappear, as has New Section Plots B 1-148.   Work is about to start on New Section C.  The Churchyard at Cliffords Mesne, has also been surveyed and all the graves recorded and indexed. Their Burial records have also been digitally copied, transcribed, and indexed.  If you would like to become involved with this work, please contact Martin Brown 01531 820 895 or Dood Pearce 01531 821 398.

The society had a very entertaining performance by Philip Collins (Mr Collywobbles) entitled ‘The History of Punch and Judy’. He told us its origins and history with much participation from members, and then erected his theatre.  Dood had been ‘volunteered’ to be the Bottler. He played the pipe and drum with elan while collecting money from the audience, which will be given to charity.