It seems only yesterday that the idea of producing a village book for the then up and coming millennium was first floated. It is in fact an astonishing ten years ago. Yes a complete decade has passed since those early tentative days in November 1997, when this rather special book was no more than a seed of an idea. The first meeting of the "East Garston Millennium Committee" was held on Thursday, 22nd January, 1998, the main purpose of which was to get to know one another and establish the areas of work.

A display of photocopied photographs was shown at the Village Fete on 26th July. The main function here was to keep people interested and to attract interest from any former residents that may visit on the day. This also presented itself as an opportunity to gather names and information of people and events contained within the pictures. Below, Betty Hayes supplies valuable information on one such photo.

This book is a pictorial history of East Garston, with pictures and text guiding the reader through the life and times of the village. It is an entirely local product, born of a general wish within the community to mark the year 2000 with a lasting commemoration of life in East Garston. In November 1997 thirteen local residents came together as the East Garston Millennium 2000 Committee, to discuss production of a book based on photographs and memories, supported by research to fill any gaps in the story, of the village from earliest times. There was a great deal of support for the project within the village; residents and local businesses responded to an appeal for financial backing, and the parish council voted a grant of £2,000 towards the book.

 

The Launch

It was decided that every household within the parish of East Garston would be given a free copy on publication, and that remaining copies would be sold. the proceeds from these sales would be distributed for the benefit of the community through the parish council.

Martyn Donno presents editor and advisor Penelope Stokes with a bouquet of flowers and a complimentary copy of the book

 

The East Garston Millennium 2000 Committee consisted of 13 local residents who brought a variety of talents to the project.

Moyra Blake moved to East Garston in 1994, where she lives with her husband at Chapel Cottage. Her 25- year teaching career made her the obvious candidate for historical research, and she spent many hours piecing together East Garston's history, particularly in relation to the earlier centuries, the manors, the school and All Saints Church.

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Mark Brock, a native of Lancashire, has lived in West Berkshire since 1981, and for the past five years at Old Cottage in East Garston. He is a senior systems engineer for National Air Traffic Services, and flew the aeroplane from which the book's aerial photos were taken by his wife Ruth. Mark supplied the bell-ringing article, and recorded the "Overheard" anecdotes, which Ruth then transcribed.

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Martyn Donno moved with his wife Carole and daughters to West Berkshire in 1970. As a partner in Cottrells, the commercial stationers, he has served as both chairman and president of the Newbury and District Chamber of Commerce. The family moved to College Way in East Garston in 1987, since when Martyn has played an active role in village life, most notably as chairman of the East Garston Millennium 2000 Committee, co-ordinating the project, as well as writing several articles which appear in the book.

These credits and acknowledgments were transcribed from the book cover ~ information correct as of  the year 2000

Peter Henderson comes from Glasgow. He moved to the area in 1979 to work for Huntley and Palmer in Reading, and now is a consultant in training and marketing. Since 1996 he has lived with his wife June in Burfords. Peter researched old maps of East Garston and the history of the Lamboum Valley Railway..

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Ray Hobbs was born in Station Road, East Garston in 1928, and has lived in the village for most of his life. Now retired, he first worked for a local builder, later becoming a self-employed painter and decorator. Ray's local knowledge was invaluable in identifying the subjects of many old photographs and press cuttings, and in supplying background details. He, in company with Colin Pounds, recounted many of the stories which appear in the book as "Overheard" anecdotes.

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Roy Hunt was born and raised in Northumberland, and has lived at Burfords in East Garston for 17 years. As a chartered hydrographic surveyor (his specialty is sub-marine cable installation and offshore air crashes) Roy was well qualified to write about the River Lamboum and well able to throw some light on its mysterious comings and goings. As a keen race-goer, he also supplied some information on East Garston's racing history

Simon McNeill moved to East Garston in 1988. His first career was as a National Hunt jockey, and he jokes that after 24 years of trying to finish races, he has now switched to starting them; as a Jockey Club official starter, he travels all over the country. Simon's knowledge of racing has contributed greatly to the book, and he wrote one the book's longest sections.

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Colin Pounds comes from one of East Garston's oldest families. Born in Church Cottage in 1943, he worked on the family farm until it was sold in 1984. Now he lives in School Lane, and works in the construction industry. Colin's local knowledge is unsurpassed, and he provided not only many photos and details about houses and families, but also many anecdotes about the past.

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James Pryer moved to East Garston 15 years ago to live in Meadow Cottage with his wife Jenny and two children. He works as a consultant with a local software company, and his computer knowledge was of great use in processing nearly 500 local photographs and documents that were offered for the project. James has also been the book's print co-ordinator, and he is setting up an East Garston website on which it will be publicized

These credits and acknowledgments were transcribed from the book cover ~ information correct as of  the year 2000

Betty and Fred Waite came to live in the village in 1989. Both are now retired, Betty from teaching English, and Fred from ICI, where he led research into anti-misting aircraft fuels. They both trawled the files of the Newbury Weekly News for news and photos about East Garston. Betty also undertook the proof-reading, and picked up many items which would have been missed by lesser-trained minds.

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Maureen Tarbox has lived in Downlands since moving to East Garston with her husband Ken and family in 1981. She has always taken part in village life, first via the playgroup, then working for a while in the village stores, and as parish clerk. In addition to offering many helpful suggestions during the book's compilation, Maureen has been the committee's treasurer, and she has also liaised with the parish council, which has supported the project so commendably.

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Peter Smith was born in the village, and lived then until he was 25. After an engineering apprenticeship and National Service, he returned to work for a local company for 22 years. Redundancy then prompted him to set up his own company, P.J.S. (Agricultural Services) Ltd, now the largest employer in the village. Peter runs the business with his wife Diana and daughter Judith at College Farm. Peter's contribution was to lend some early school photos, and to provide a wealth of local information spanning several decades.

Although this book was never intended to be a definitive history of East Garston, I believe that the research it contains will provide the foundation for one in the future. Its immediate appeal will be, of course, to those for whom it was intended, the parishioners of East Garston, but in my view its influence will go far beyond the bounds of the parish. I hope our work will inspire and captivate amateur and professional historians far and wide. Take time to reflect upon these pages, and value our priceless heritage

..................................................................................................................................... Martyn Donno

(Chairman, East Garston Millennium 2000 Committee 1999)

This book is now out of print and there are no plans to publish further copies. Should you want one, your best bet is to keep an eye on e-bay as they do crop up from time to time