Victoria County History
Cheltenham Local History Society works closely with and supports the Gloucestershire County History Trust in its work on the Cheltenham section of the Victoria County History (VCH) Gloucestershire volume XV.
CLHS has an enthusiastic and productive volunteer group, which contributes to the work on VCH by adding previously un-catalogued material to the Gloucestershire Archives catalogue, making it available to VCH (and other) researchers, and several of our members have contributed research or written part of the draft texts. Latest news on the project can be found by clicking the VCH image below, or at the VCH website. Draft texts for Cheltenham and transcriptions of historical records are available for download from the VCH Academy website, where you can also find the latest VCH Newsletter.
The Volunteer Group continues to work at the Gloucestershire Archives every Monday. Dr Nicholas Kingsley is now the chair of the Gloucestershire County History Trust and John Chandler is 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
Work on Swindon Village is nearing completion. 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.
Cheltenham volunteers are now working on four solicitors’ deposits relating to Charlton Kings and Cheltenham.
Work will continue, from when the area became a civil parish. Up Hatherley is now one of the five parishes within the Cheltenham Borough