AVON LOCAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

STARTING A LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Why Start a Society?

The interest in local history continues to grow. Of course it is possible to be interested in the past and to study local history without being a member of a local group. But groups do have definite advantages. They provide a focus for all who are interested in the history of their area, whether to learn what is already known or to make new discoveries. Active researchers obtain a forum for presentation and discussion, colleagues for collaboration, and possibly funds for publication. Over the years an active group builds up a tradition and an increasing pool of knowledge and expertise on which new work can be based. And there is always pleasure to be had in a gathering of like-minded people. However, before you go ahead, it is worth checking if there is already a society or group which covers your area. or special interest.

What Does a Society Do?

One could write a book on local history activities, except that there are already so many. This brief list is merely to suggest the range of activities and so, we hope, to help mobilise the quantum of interest needed to start a society on its way.

• hold talks on historical subjects (the ALHA Speakers List will be very helpful here)
• organise trips and visits to historical sites
• collect - and catalogue! - local photographs, postcards, newspaper cuttings (liaise with your local library)
• establish or contribute to a local museum
• record current events and oral testimony for posterity
• transcribe and perhaps publish local records eg parish registers
• put local statistics - eg census returns - on computerised database (the Regional History Centre at UWE will advise you here)
• conserve and protect historical features
• place commemorative plaques or informative notices in the locality (by agreement of council)
• hold pageants or exhibitions
• establish history trails or walks, with maps and guides
• organise surveys or collective research activities - eg field names and history. (This should always be based on good expert advice. An excellent starting point for this region is ALHA's Avon Local History Handbook, no longer in print but still in the libraries.)
• encourage children to study local history (liaise with your junior schools - local history is part of the National Curriculum in Key Stage 2)

How to Start a Group

There is no set method for the formation of a society, but the following procedure has worked well in practice:

1. Call a well-advertised meeting at a local venue, and arrange for an experienced of local history practitioner to attend (or more than one). A convenient and comfortable room and perhaps some light refreshments will help.
2. At the meeting, try to present the fullest and most lively picture of the sorts of activities which the society may engage in, referring both to the example of work done elsewhere and to the possibilities of your own area. Give space and time for those attending to raise ideas and ask questions (and use the expertise of the experienced practitioners to answer these).
3. Move a resolution proposing the formation of a society and the election of a steering group (not too large! - five or six is about right.) If this is carried, a steering committee can then be elected, which will preferably include those who are willing to offer themselves as the main officers of the society once it is formed.
4. Ask all those present to put their names and addresses down if they want to receive personal notice of the progress being made. (A similar list might be posted in the local branch library)
5. As soon as possible after the public meeting, the steering committee should meet to discuss:
   1. an appropriate name for the society
   2. the formal constitution (see the draft provided)
   3. the appropriate venue, day and frequency of society Meetings
   4. types of membership and subscriptions
   5. a provisional programme of activities for at least the first 6 months
6. When these items have been resolved, the steering committee should arrange the inaugural meeting - again well publicised - for the adoption of their recommendations, which will set the society on a firm foundation. Make sure that all those who have expressed interest are personally informed.
7. Join Avon Local History Association.