Brandon, Bretford & Wolston History Group

WW1 Display
July 2014
"On behalf of all members of Brandon, Bretford and Wolston history group, I would like to thank two of our members (Dawn Webb and Jeff Chatwin) who have worked so hard, and researched all of the information displayed in the church on World War 1. There is information on the men of our villages who volunteered to go and fight and give their lives for us today. There are also many enlistment posters encouraging citizens to join up. This is an excellent and informative display and well worth visiting St. Margaret’s church any afternoon this week (July 14th – 18th) from 2PM to 4PM.“
History Group Chairperson
Joy Stanton
Evacuees in Wolston
June 2014
The local History Group was recently approached by an eighty year old Suffolk resident, Mr. Clifford Gollner, who came to Wolston as an evacuee in 1940. He was only six at the time and stayed for just six months, from June to December. He was placed with Mrs. Postlethwaite at 6 Stretton Road and attended the local school. He visited Wolston earlier this year and was pleased to be able to verify his few memories of the village. One image he had in mind was of what he described as the village green, with a pond and iron railings, which he used to pass on the way to school. This would have been the area now occupied by the approach to John Simpson Close. On his recent visit, he was fortunate in meeting a local resident, who was able to confirm that he had remembered correctly.
World War 1
June 2014
We are currently researching the men of the villages, who served during the Great War. There are already a couple of projects underway which are putting together the information on the soldiers who died in the war and are commemorated on the war memorials in Wolston and Brandon. However, we would like to look at the bigger picture and get a true account of the number of men that enlisted from the villages, researching about their lives before they enlisted. Did you have an ancestor who lived in the villages and served in the war? Do you have any stories or photographs to share? Please get in touch if you have any information to share.
There will be an exhibition, of the information we have recorded so far, in St Margaret's Church, Wolston on Sunday 13th July 2014 at 5.30pm. Please come along and learn more about the men who served in the Great War.
Brandon Broiderers
April 2014
The textile hanging has now been hung in Wolston Village hall beside the Wolston wheel. It details the historic buildings and areas within Brandon. Next time you are are in the village hall, please have a look at the hanging.