
The historic photo above recalls a Leatherhead Parish Church outing more than a century ago. It shows an entirely different world from that we know today. This is what local history is all about.
But now, nearly 75 years after it was established in the
aftermath of World War 2, Leatherhead & District Local History Society
faces an existential crisis. The last of its founders, Stephen Fortescue, died
this summer aged 99 and other major figures from more recent years have also
passed on. The inevitable movement of time also coincides with a virus pandemic
that has forced temporary closure of its Museum and the replacement of monthly
meetings at the Letherhead Institute with lectures accessible only online. Guided
tours have already gone and outlets for the book publishing arm are reduced to
one shop each in Bookham and Ashtead.
Although a registered charity, the Society has
so many vacancies among its essential officers that it faces being wound up
unless new volunteers can be found among the wider public. This would be a
major blow for continuing historical awareness of this part of
The L&DLHS was born on 16 October 1946 after local members of the Surrey Archaeological Society decided to encourage preservation of ancient buildings and countryside in this area. Since then, the L&DLHS has provided a research service for the benefit of all residents and visitors keen to learn about local life, both in the recent and more distant past.
Yet all may not be lost if a few volunteers can be found to handle the Society's records and archives, book sales. A new Chairman and Secretary will be needed in the next twelve months.
To help, please contact John Rowley at chairman@leatherheadhistory.org