Victoria County History
We would like to be able to report that the last two years have seen rapid progress towards the completion of Cheltenham’s ‘Big Red Book’ but inevitably the closure of Gloucestershire Archives has had an effect, as has the recent sudden death of our leader and mentor James Hodsdon.
Now in Spring 2022 we are recovering rapidly:
Work at the Gloucestershire Archives has resumed every Monday.
Dr Nicholas Kingsley has taken on the chairmanship of the Gloucestershire County History Trust.
John Chandler is resuming his role as county editor.
Jan Broadway has responsibility for Cheltenham and is supported by a strong band of volunteers.
Funds needed
While volunteers can help with some of the initial research, if we are to bring our Big Red Book to completion, we need to employ professional expertise. This costs money, so please consider a one-off donation to Gloucestershire County History Trust or a monthly amount.
Progress in the five parishes – VCH Volume XV – Borough of Cheltenham
The VCH ‘short’ published 2018 Cheltenham before the Spa, completed the development of the town to around 1738.
Three drafts taking the town’s history into the 21st century have been completed.
Also draft sections on Communications, Charities, Education, Sport, Religious History and Parliamentary Representation which are available on the VCH Academy website.
Swindon Village
Currently being worked on by John Chandler and should be completed during Spring 2022. As part of this work Sally Self has researched and published articles on the Kingsditch Trading Estate and Market Gardening
In June 2021, Louise Ryland-Epton, was appointed to research and write the history of the parish. She is being assisted by Leckhampton Local History Society members and two Cheltenham volunteers.
All the available Leckhampton wills and inventories have been transcribed.
Preliminary work has begun.
The large deposit of the Prinn, Russell and Hunt families has been fully catalogued.
Transcription of all the remaining Charlton Kings wills is currently being undertaken.
It is planned that the CLHS Monday volunteers will begin work on any uncatalogued Charlton Kings deposits this summer.
Work will continue, from when the area became a civil parish. Up Hatherley is now one of the five parishes within the Cheltenham Borough