Beginnings
The group was formed as a result of the Exbourne Bygones Exhibition, organized by David and Margaret Weeks, held in October 2009 and consequential interest and enthusiasm to find out more about the history of Exbourne.
Early Stages.
It was decided to organize a meeting, in February 2010, so that those interested could attend and the possibility of forming a Local History Group could be discussed in greater detail. At the initial meeting in February, Margaret Weeks invited Dee Gant who is chair of the Broadwoodkelly History Group, to give us her assistance and advice. Mrs Margaret Weeks welcomed the large numbers attending and explained that the meeting had come about following the very positive and enthusiastic response to the Exbourne Bygones exhibition held in October 2009. Mr Steve Gazzard had suggested that a meeting should be arranged to gauge the interest from the community in carrying the idea further.
Mr Steve Gazzard agreed to chair the meeting. He then introduced Mrs Dee Gant from Broadwoodkelly who had been invited to speak to the meeting about her experiences of a History Group in Broadwoodkelly.
The meeting agreed to the formation of the Group and 3 committee members were elected:
Chairman: Steve Gazzard,
Treasurer: Nick Kenealy,
Secretary: Rose Williams
Subsequently it was decided to add two further committee members and they were duly elected at the first full meeting in March.
Ordinary members: Margaret Weeks and Gaye Langham
At the October 2010 meeting Mike Luxton was also co-opted onto the committee, to assist with committee work.
It was also agreed to hold meetings on the third Tuesday in the month, in the village hall and that the first meeting would be on Tuesday 16 th March 2010 at 7.30p.m.
Research projects were to be:
Buildings - including school church, farms and listed buildings.
Oral History - recorded interviews with longstanding members of the village community
At the first meeting in March it was also agreed to participate in the English Heritage
Open Weekend in September 2010. An updated exhibition and a guided walk in thevillage on this weekend would enable the inclusion of new material from the first stages of the Research Projects.