The Society returned to the newly refurbished Community Centre for its fourth Annual General Meeting. In his last report as Chair, Keith Cottam began by showing everyone the lectern beautifully crafted by Ian Westlake for the Heritage Room. It had been funded from a donation from the collection at the funeral of Enid Johnson, a founder member of the Society: Enid had been extremely interested in local and family history and kindly bequested a donation to the Society. Keith continued by reviewing the substantial achievements since the setting up of the Society four years ago from its tentative beginnings to the culmination of the Fairford Community Play and with the resulting income setting up the Heritage and Archive Room in the Centre. The Society has also held successful events and produced scholarly publications. He thanked his Committee for all their support and hard work. An appeal was made for a treasurer and Gill Compton kindly volunteered.
The new Committee was elected with Geoff Hawkes as Chairman, Brian Routledge Vice-Chair, Alison Hobson Secretary, Gill Compton treasurer, Ian Westlake Membership, Margaret Bishop FCC representative, Maurice Jones FTC, John Read, Julie Parker and Chris Hobson. Geoff Hawkes thanked Keith for his expert leadership and gave him a token of appreciation, a photographic record of his years as Chair and some liquid refreshment.
The refreshments which followed were generously sponsored by our president June Lewis-Jones to celebrate the setting up of the Heritage and Archive Room.
Geoff Bishop gave an interesting and informative talk on Fairford during World War II compiled from the oral history recordings, finishing with a very moving account from Tony Rogers, a Pole from what is now Lithuania, who had survived horrific experiences and finally ended up in England flying with 18 OTU, RAF and eventually retired to Fairford. Over 20 CDs have been made of the recordings and Geoff asked for anyone interested in interviewing or being interviewed to contact him.
