Lapworth
A Warwickshire Village
The Local History Group
Where Did the Name Of Lapworth Come From? Peter Hill, a local historian and member of the History Group, has written the first part of a fascinating essay called Lapworth, The History of a Warwickshire village. There are several interpretations of it's origin and it is for readers to draw their own conclusions.
What was it like to be buried by the Romans?.
On
Tuesday 22nd April, Geminus the disignator, or funeral arranger
(Paul Thompson)and his
assistant Hyacynthus gave a
practical demonstration of the current rites and rituals of burial in
2nd century Roman Britannia. The journey from the land of the
living, to Hades the world of the dead was discovered with the help of
some (fairly) willing volunteers, who acted the roles of the deceased,
slave of the deceased and professional mourners. It was an occasion
that was informative and fun.
Paul is a founder member of Guaderobe,
a group of professional historical interpreters and craftsmen.
In March 2007, some of the members went on a steam train tour for an extra outing. It was greatly enjoyed by all who went.
The Lapworth Local History Group was formed in 1965 to foster and encourage learning about history with a focus on local issues and their relationship to other parts of Warwickshire and the Midlands of England.
There are five meetings a year with visiting speakers on Tuesday evenings at Lapworth Village Hall. Three visits each year take members and their friends to places often linked to the theme of the speakers' topics. The A.G.M. is in October offering a buffet supper with wine giving a chance to socialise, followed by a visiting speaker. The programme 2010 includes talks about The Green Man, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum.
The annual subscription is only £7.50 and new members are always welcome. Please telephone the secretary: Mrs A.Butler on 01564 782397 of the chairman: Mr G. Kennel on 0121 744 8597 for further details.
Joy Woodall's book, Portrait of Lapworth, records the history and topography of the village
PORTRAIT OF LAPWORTH
by
JOY WOODALL
This book records the
history and
topography of the village of Lapworth, situated at the heart of the
ancient
Forest of Arden. Iron Age people built a fort here and the Romans had
kilns for
making both pottery and tiles. From 816 to 1036 the Bishops of
Worcester were
the lords of Lapworth and later, medieval lords established a hunting
park with
a moated gatehouse. But it is the lives and homes of the ordinary
people,
particularly those of the 18th and 19th centuries, which has especially
interested the author.
At the beginning and end of the book we see the parish through the eyes of Owen Bonnell, curate there in the mid 1700's, and Robert Hudson, canal manager in the late 19th century. These narratives frame an extensive and detailed picture of life in the per iod 1750 to the 1890's: the hopes, pleasures and anxieties of the people; the farming pract ices, the trades and tradesmen, the church, the school and that ever present conce rn of the parish - the poor - and how they were helped.
A book for everyone, general reader, genealogist and local historian.
A4 Hardback 128 Pages Profusely illustrated with 7 maps, 9 photographs and 50 line drawings by local artist George Busby.
£14.95 + £4.00 (G.B.P.)postage and packing
(local deliveries can be arranged)
May be ordered by sending cheque/postal order made pa yable to:
Joy Woodall, P.O. Box 1339, Warwick, CV35 7ZQ
Also available at W H Smith, Waterstones
and online via amazon.co.uk