Finding it hard because the photos a bFlack and white? Find a flourition of Shapwick News at: https://www.shapwickparishcounci l.org.uk/parish-newsletters/ 6 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 4 As a Shapwick News reader, it won’t surprise you to hear that our very own Dora Watkins, aged 96, is an undisputed authority on all matters of local history. However, you might not be aware that her knowledge is based not only on personal recollections (Dora was born and bred in the village) but is also informed by the experiences of at least four preceding family generations, who also lived, worked and raised families here. Which means she’s been able to help us make a Great, Great, Great social history film! Shapwick History Group JOHN ANDERSON Dora’s ‘Memories of Shapwick’ - a Village Hall Film Night to Remember! More recently, the group welcomed a return visit by local historian Anne Murch, who took us a little further back in time, bringing to life a picture of what it was like to be a member of the rural poor in Somerset during the Georgian period. Anne’s fascinating presentation was based on ten years of detailed research, studying the accounts of the overseers of the poor from six nearby villages. For such a serious topic, it was a surprisingly positive account of historic welfare, especially so within smaller rural villages, where communities took pride in providing support where needed. There were also many interesting asides along the way – do you know where the expression 'sleep tight' originates from? There’s another chance to see Anne at Edington History Group on 22nd April, 7pm, more info at www.edhg.org.uk/our-events/Events Meanwhile, we hope to see you at our forthcoming talks: see ‘What’s On’ (p.8) or contact history@shapwick.org for more information. Many thanks to Dora, and to our interviewer Frank Barnard, for providing such an evocative, lasting record. We look forward to sharing the film on the Parish Council’s new website soon. It was standing room only at the back of the hall for Dora’s premiere, as residents gathered to discover what it was like to grow up in 1930s Shapwick. Although they were tough times, many of Dora’s recollections sound rather idyllic; living in a largely self-sufficient farming community; making her own entertainment with friends at local concerts; looking forward to summer outings at Burnham-On-Sea – a big adventure starting from Shapwick railway station. It also appears that, as youngsters, even the war seemed a relatively remote threat, with air raid warnings serving as an acceptable homework dodging excuse!
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