Sutton Courtenay is a picturesque village in Oxfordshire (formerly in Berkshire) with a long and varied history.
The Sutton Courtenay Local History Society was formed in 2008 with the aims of promoting interest in local history, undertaking research on the history of the village and encouraging and supporting research into local family history.
Sutton Courtenay village green - 1904
Sutton Courtenay Village Green c 1900?
Sutton Courtenay village green - 1890
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Origins
In July 2007 exhibitions were held in All Saints Church Sutton Courtenay and the Church of St Peter and St Paul Appleford about local history (photos here). As a result, discussions were held among Sutton Courtenay residents about the possibility of forming a local history society in Sutton Courtenay.
Mary Thompson agreed to convene an initial meeting with others interested in serving on a committee for the society to look into the idea further.
First meeting
The first meeting of the Local History Society was held in All Saints’ Church in April, 2008.
The church was an occasional venue for meetings and for hosting visiting organizations and groups for a talk by the Society about the village’s history. However, most meetings were held in the Village Hall with at least one visit, usually in the summer, to a place of interest.
Recent history
Prior to 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic, the Society held 5-6 meetings a year with guest speakers on subjects of interest to local and neighbouring districts' residents as well as undertaking research into the history of the village and occasionally organising visits to places of interest in the surrounding area.
For a record of past meetings, click here.
An ad hoc Spring Meeting has recently been held (details here) and for more information about the Society’s future programme, click here.
All meetings are free for paid-up members. Non-members are welcome to attend all meetings, subject to the payment of a small charge. Visits are normally open to members only and may be subject to a small charge towards the cost.
For enquiries about the Society's activities and membership, please contact enquiries@sclhs.org.uk.
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The Society is a member of the Oxfordshire Local History Association.
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