What does an English queen and an exiled French writer have in common? Newbury history group calls meeting to recruit new members
A Newbury history group is looking for new members to join and support its research.
A small group called the Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery have researched more than 4,700 individuals buried at the Newbury cemetery since 2009.
The group used to meet about six times a year to share their research, but the pandemic put a stop to this.
They are holding a meeting in the chapel at the cemetery, which any local history enthusiasts interested in joining the group are invited to attend.
“If you have been doing your own family tree or would like a new hobby in retirement, please come along to find out what we are doing,” said Ros Clow, leader of the history group.
Each individual researched has their own file, which is archived and uploaded onto the group’s website.
“You will also find out what Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Victor Hugo, King Leopold of Belgium and the film star, Stewart Rome, all have in common,” added Mrs Clow.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 11, at 7pm.
Contact raclow@ntlworld.com to book a place.
Group members are also involved in The Resurrection Players – which research and resurrect the lives of ordinary people buried in the cemetery through theatre – and a new oral history project recording personal recollections of life and leisure in Newbury and the surrounding area in the mid-20th century.
The Friends also organise open days, arrange tours of the cemetery and give talks on the lives of the people buried there.
They are also involved in recording the wildflowers, birds, butterflies, moths and animals that use the cemetery.
