Aims: 

• To record and help preserve the history of the parish of Packington.
• To promote an interest in history (especially of the parish) in the local community

 Contacts:

 Meetings:

Meetings are held usually on Thursday afternoons about every 4 - 6 weeks.  Dates for meetings are arranged at the current meeting.

 Activities:

These are varied and include:

• research
• building an archive of written and photographic material
• recording oral histories
• exhibitions
• a calendar
• various publications (see below)
• talks

 Publications:   Please contact Chairman for purchase

• 'Packington Observed'    A photograph based history.   £4.00 (nearly sold out)
• 'Royal Days'   The story of village celebrations of royal events.  £4.00
• 'Daisy Chains'   A child's memories of Packington in the 1930's.   £2.00
• 'Where were you in the War?'   Memories of WW2 from Packington residents (past and present)  £1.00 (sale price).  Also on sale at Daybreak Services and Ashby Museum.
• Notelets.  Pack of 5 line drawings of historicals views.   £1.25  (nearly sold out)
• 'History of Holy Rood Church'  £2.00   (also on sale in the church - all proceeds to church funds)
• 'HMS Powerful'   The Boer War story of the Ladysmith Naval Brigade.   £3.50 (publication by a member of the group)

Chairmans Report 2010 -11

This year the group has had six meetings plus the annual party.  Early in the year we had a fascinating talk by Robert Eaton on the story of Ashby Cattle Market up until its closure in 1967 and on Stevenson and Barrett.  This was followed up at the next meeting by a look at Stevenson and Barrett's property ledger for the 1950's and 1960's which included details of many sales involving Packington and also a further look at newpaper cuttings from our archives.  Later in the year Wally informeed us that the computer cataloging of items in our existing archive was now up to date, involving about 2,400 entries and thanks are expressed to Keith Haynes for his work on this.

David and Paula continued their work on the churchyard.  A scheme for proceeding, with photos of gravestones, recording of inscriptions and numbering graves for a plan was agreed, with the material eventually to be put on a disc.

In the summer the group listened to the history of the house and garden of 16, Babelake Street and then enjoyed the garden itself.  Another highlight of this period was Wally's illuminating talk - given inSeptember to the friends of Ashby Museum and our group and later to the Mens Group - on the history of Packington History Group.

During the year some new photos were added to our archive (eg. Robert Miller in Moldova, houses in Back Lane, school maypole dancing) and various enquiries from the public were dealt with (eg. the 1920's cricket team, Harry Granger's war grave, the family of Fanny Smith).  However, regarding the John Flower painting of a church, in the end the group agreed it was not Packington Church.

It was agreed not to pursue a house survey of the village, but a start was made on recording local sayings.

Chairmans Report   2009 -10

Recently, our Secretary pointed out to me that in the last 6 years we have averaged 7 meetings plus the party each year and this last year has been no exception to that pattern. 

During the last 12 months we have organised an exhibition celebating 20 years of Open Gardens and a photographic quiz for the Ladies Group.  In March we went on an afternoon visit to Ashby Museum and later the Museum published in their regular magazine our articles on 7 Packinhton houses.  Since then we have agreed that the Packington Post can reprint them in its forthcoming issues.  We have had 2 meetings concentrating on an examination of our photographic archives.  An entry for the group on the Packington Website was agreed and Steve has put this on the site.  Jim gave a talk on the 1953 plane crash and Paula has solved the mystery of Ivanhoe House and cottage.  We have also looked at a 19th century sketch of a church - supposedly the Holy Rood - but the poor quality meant that nothing could be concluded.  Finally, some of us represented the group at the re-openong of the Memorial Hall in December.

Ongoing activities include David and Paula's work on the churchyard (weather permitting!) and Wally's organising of our archives.

In conclusion, we thank Robert and Yvonne for their hospitality.