This page logs various ideas and activities that might enhance the archive. It has more information about what might be included in the Research Section of the archive.
Obviously the first activities will relate to reviewing existing content, correcting errors and omissions, as well as providing detail for those topics currently added only as “stubs”.
A number of key areas relating to recent events (from the past 30 years or so) are still to be completed as it is hoped some of the people involved at the time will be able to produce appropriate articles, or provide information from their personal archives. Examples are the Anti-Airport Campaign, the Village Hall Project, the activities during “lockdown” and the impact of the Ling Hall Quarry and Landfill.
Some of the other areas which might then be worked on for this public facing section of the archive could include
- Archive Management – appoint an archivist and agree other roles / deputies
- Additional Image location and digitisation
- New Photography – e.g. Church Leaflet
- Church Bells
- Manorial Records Research
- Studies of the pictures of the Village Green to more accurately date the various stages of the trees there – and to then document more recent history of the trees on the green.
- A more in-depth review of the Albert Cotton letters (prominent local historian), with many theories about the origins and history of the two villages
- Further work on Kings Newnham Geology and Archaeology Details – including pictures and maps
- Village Walks
- Photo and Postcard Gallery
- Kings Newnham Mapping – notably on the extremities of the parish
- Farm History – especially with input from those farms still in operation
- Expand / Improve Lane and Cottage History (including House and Farm History?)
- Additional Family Stories
- War Stories / Home Guard / Land Army
- Post-War Stories – Rationing, National Service
- Additional work on Social Groups (Youth Club, Young Farmers Club, Walking Group, Footpaths Group, Clay Pigeon Shooting Club, Over 60’s Club, Lunch Club)
- More on WI, PCC, Mothers Union
- More on Historic Events – Coronation / Jubilee / Millennium etc
- Locate and archive aerial photo of village taken at 2012 Diamond jubilee
- More on Weather Events
- Populate page on the pandemic and lockdown
- Additional Memories of Villagers
- Details of Mobile Services ( Library Van, School Meals (Both Schools), Milkman, Royal Mail, Corona lorry, Laundry van, Fuel – Coal Deliveries / Paraffin Supply, Fresh Fish Van, Baker’s Van, Grocery Services (grocer and greengrocer), Refuse Services / pigswill, Butchers van, Beer lorry, Ice cream van, Tupperware, Avon)
- Village Crafts (Thatching, Shoe Mending etc) and Gardens / Allotments
- More on Village Events over the years (Fete, Christmas, Bonfire Night etc)
- Stories from the 21st Century – Jubilee(s), Millennium Celebration, King Charles Coronation
- Study the works of William Dugdale and their importance / value to this project
- Further research on the history of the Leigh family, possibly with a Family Tree showing links to aristocracy
- Review Manorial Records from earlier times (Held in Northampton Records Office)
- Additional writings on more recent events (including review of Copyright and GDPR issues)
Some of the areas to be worked on for the research section of the archive might include
- Memorial Mapping
- Village Newsletters
- Tribute Section
- Parish Chest
- Additional Village Directory and Census Information
- Additional Parish Records
- Information From Quarter Session Records For 17th and 18th Centuries
Other activities to consider may be
- Digitisation work for third level archive
- Time Capsule Initiative
- Separate Village Website / Links to Village Hall Website
- Roles and Responsibilities for Long Term Archive Support