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Whitchurch Local History Society

50th Anniversary Event

Our 50th Anniversary Exhibition on May 17th in the United Reformed Church was a great success with almost 200 visitors coming along to view our wide range of exhibits and to chat with our committee members about their own memories. Some came along with their own old photos to share with us whilst others posed questions which sometimes tested our own knowledge of local history.
The church had a real buzz about it for almost three hours. Some people
encountered friends from years ago and little discussion groups were seen
enjoying themselves accompanied by tea or coffee and the wonderful range of cakes provided by the church’s ladies.
This was a truly memorable community afternoon and the last of our public
events until we resume talks in September. In the meantime, however, we
would be delighted to hear from anyone who is prepared to share with us any pictures or artefacts from the local area’s history or who is willing to spend time with one of our committee members to tell us of their memories and reflections as we prepare to collate the next volume of ‘Memories’ for publication.

Details of our Autumn/Winter programme will be publicised in the usual ways in August and we will continue to meet at the United Reformed Church on the main road though the Village. For more information about the Society, membership and its events please contact the Secretary, Geoff Gardiner, on 01275 830869 or at geoff@thegardiners.org.uk

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VE Day 80 beacon lighting

Laying the wreath
Piper from the RBL

On Thursday 8 May 2025 Whitchurch Village celebrated VE Day 80 by lighting the beacon along with thousands across the country.Joining us as the ‘light of peace’ emerged from the darkness were Neil Dowdney TD DL , the 107th Whitchurch Scouts and members from the Royal British Legion.

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VE DAY 80th Anniversary Beacon Lighting and BBQ

A Shared Moment of Celebration
To commemorate VE Day 80th Anniversary
BBQ at 8pm followed by the lighting of the Village Beacon at 9.30pm.
Cake and a Toast provided.
Please join the Village Councillors , uniformed organisations and the British Legion to celebrate the end of the WWII as a whole

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Accessible Design Panel Opportunity – Compton Martin, Chew Magna and Whitchurch – Call for panel members!

Our streets often contain barriers to moving freely. These barriers are made worse by poor-quality pavements and roads, including uneven surfaces, inadequate drainage, and a lack of suitable crossings. Additionally, concerns about safety and accessibility, discourage people from choosing to walk, wheel or cycle for short journeys.
We are looking for local people in the villages of Compton Martin, Chew Magna and Whitchurch with,
• physical and unseen disabilities,
• reduced mobility,
• carers of people with disabilities,
• parents with young children in prams or pushchairs
• anyone with a keen interest in accessibility to join our design panel and help make this route more accessible and welcoming for everyone.
Key Information:
Time commitment: 6 – 10 hours
Panel size: 6 – 8 members
Pay: £25/hr + travel costs (paid in either cash or vouchers)
Bringing your valuable expertise and experience, you will:

  • Help us to understand the barriers you face by sharing your lived experience of travelling around the local villages.
  • Take part in an on-site accessibility check (Chew Magna only) to identify issues and opportunities to improve the route.
  • Review our engagement summary and outline designs, that will then feed directly into the final design for the scheme.
    Key dates:
    – Online Introduction and accessibility discussion (April)
    – In-person street audit (date to be determined at the first meeting)
    – Review of initial designs – Autumn 2025.
    If you would like more information, or to express an interest in joining the panel,
    please email helen.morse@sustrans.org.uk, or call on 07729779339.