We have recently received a number of photographs from Horsham Museum that are believed to have been taken in Cowfold and have been asked to help identify them.
We have added captions to those that we recognise. If you can identify any of the other photographs, or can supply any additional background information, we would be pleased to hear from you. Check them out here.
Thanks to the sterling work of Mike Burt and Neil Williams, as part of our WW2 research you can now peruse a map on our website which shows where aircraft crashes and bombing occurred in Cowfold and the surrounding areas.
The Junior History Page is a new
page to showcase the work that pupils at St Peter’s School Cowfold do as part of their History Syllabus. The CVHS work closely with the school promoting an enjoyment of, and interest in, local history and the Head Master is extremely supportive of these links. This page shows what very valuable contributions are already being made by the next generation in continuing to document and preserve our history for future generations.
Want to test your knowledge? How much can you remember?
We have a fun quiz for you to have a go at. You will find it under ‘Quiz Corner”.
Can you score enough to earn a certificate? Have a go and if you enjoy it let us know. Then we can happily create more quizzes in the future!
Michael Burt was unanimously elected as the new Chairman of the Society at the Annual General Meeting held in the Village Hall on 7 April 2017. Stella Bianco and Sue Crofts will continue in their roles as Honorary Secretary and Membership Secretary, respectively.
Following his election, Mike outlined some of the current initiatives and new ones that would be considered by the committee at its next meeting on 19 June 2017. In addition to the ongoing projects on World War I and World War II, recording the memories of longstanding residents of Cowfold and research based on the 1911 Census (which will be the theme for the Society’s display at the Summer Festival) and the Godman Book, the Society is considering with St Peter’s School, an annual award in memory of Bob Farren, given to the pupil contributing most to learning history. Mike also highlighted the new Society website and urged members to make as much use of it as possible.
Mike and the rest of the committee have many other potential projects in the pipeline, so please contact the Society if you would like to get involved in the research. (You can use the contact form on the “Contact Us” page.)
After the AGM, Jan Case gave an excellent talk based on her research of the Godman Book. This includes many charming memories of the village written by Colonel C B Godman, a major figure in, and contributor to, the village in the early 1900s. (It also features as one of the Cowfold Ten Objects listed on the website.) Much of the material presented by Jan will be included on the website shortly.
Sprinks Store in the centre of the village
Unbelievably, the society is moving into its 9th year, thanks to everyone’s tremendous support over the years.
New for 2017 will be a website with lots of information on our village history, a Facebook page and a project to collect precious first hand memories of the village in WW2.
This year’s speaker’s programme is varied and we are looking forward to some very interesting talks. We would like to draw to your attention to April’s meeting when we will be presenting an evening on The Godman Book. It is a fascinating insight into Cowfold’s past having been written in the early part of the 20th century, with references back for 100’s of years. The book will be on display and it is an opportunity to view this rarely seen, precious and illuminating part of the village’s history.
We hope you will join us again.
Dig On For Victory poster
This project aims to capture the memories of some residents who lived in or around the village as children during World War II.
So far, seven residents have been interviewed and their memories provide a fascinating picture of life at that time. In addition, the WWII period has been transcribed from the St Peter’s School log book and the admission register for that time has also been examined.
Background research and contextual material about WWII is being obtained and further specific research is being undertaken, for example, into the air force squadrons that were based in the area and on sites where German and Italian prisoners of war worked.
The hope is that there will be enough material and interest to write a book about this. However, the committee would be pleased to hear from anyone not already approached who would like to share their memories of the village and who may have photographs taken at that time.
Please contact: Mike Burt by telephone on 01403 710182 or by email at michael.burt1911@btinternet.com.
Troops passing through village
We’d very much like to hear from anyone who might be a relative of people who lived in Cowfold at the time of World War One and would love to see any photos or memorabilia from the village at that time.
Welcome to our new website!
Please let us know what you think – any comments or suggestions for improvements or additions will be gratefully received.
If you have any memorabilia or old photographs that we add to the site, please let us know via the Contact Us Page.
