1979-Apr-pg01_Editorial

1979-Apr-pg01_Editorial

This article came from the Chronicle published April 1979. Page 1

 

EDITORIAL (1997Apr)

Author: L.E.J.Brooke

 

This second issue of ‘Chronicle‘ contains our first POSTBAG, and though light, Arthur Denner’s sole missive is a model of the kind of letter we look forward to receiving from you.

Under the heading MEETINGS REVIEWED, Russ Clynick, as honorary ‘Press Officer’ has diligently recorded the society’s meetings, and – continuing his series on THE PARISH CHEST – Leonard Hayward deals with the importance of Rogationtide in pre-Reformation Yeovil; he also contributes a note on the recent discovery of a coffin in the United Reformed Church in Princes Street.

Now that the Victoria County History is making good progress, it is perhaps a fitting time to recall the work of the REV.JOHN COLLINSON, whose three-volume History of Somerset, published in 1791, however inadequate measured by today’s yardstick, nevertheless remained the standard work on the county for well over a century and a half. Very little has appeared in print regarding Collinson’s life, but some few years ago Mrs W.Oatway, though not a member of our society, spent much time and effort unearthing facts about him. She has agreed for the results of her investigation to be published for the first time, in our journal.

Ron Gilson’s paper on NASH PRIORY (which it never was!) re-examines its architectural features and gives convincing proof of past structures and evidence as to whom the builder was. Because of the necessity to ‘home-produce’ Chronicle on a virtual shoestring, it will not normally be possible to make use of illustrations, but an exception is made in this issue for the drawings which accompany his article.

Mrs Knight, our honorary Librarian, has again compiled an informative list of RECENT PUBLICATIONS of local interest. She will be grateful for notice of any titles you may have found particularly interesting or helpful, both of a local and more general nature relating to history and archaeology, etc., for inclusion in future lists. She would also like to hear from anyone who can donate material to the society’s own LIBRARY, the most recent additions being noted on page 2.

Continuing the policy of including details of kindred societies in the neighbourhood, this issue contains brief details, and an invitation to the meetings of, Yeovil and District Natural history Society, contributed by its chairman. Their Secretary, Mr Keylock was a speaker at our Symposium held in 1976.

What we hope will also be a regular feature, is the QUERIES section which is inaugurated in this issue and which, we trust, will. produce replies for inclusion in our next number.

A diary of the Society’s SUMMER OUTINGS will be found on page 17 – more detailed information of individual trips will come from the Secretary in due course the Secretary will also do his best to arrange transport for those who require it on non-coach outings.

Since there is possibility of minor amendment to the Society’s CONSTITUTION this appears on page 18 for your information. There is also an appeal on p.17 for anyone able to take part in a ‘watching brief’ on Ham Hill, for which the Secretary will give details.

It is pleasing to be able to report a good sale for the first of the society’s PUBLICATIONS-The Romans by Mr L.C.Hayward-to the extent, in fact, of a second print of 250 copies. This augurs well for future issues. It is hoped to have ‘Street names in Yeovil’ to include photographs of yesterday’s Yeovil, printed in the near future at a provisional selling price of £1.40, but subscribers are needed to ensure its viability – details appear on a leaflet which accompanies this issue. At the time of going to press The Book of Yeovil, which came out only a twelve-month ago, is very nearly out of print, and there is a possibility of a reprint. Finally – what about a contribution for our next issue – however small – from YOU ?.