The Society's Own History and Who's Who
The Society was formed following a public meeting on 18 June 1941. Its aims were 'to stimulate an interest in the history of the area, to collect information concerning the locality, and to arrange lectures and excursions from time to time'. Dr Whitley was elected President, Canon Kuypers Vice-President, Mr F W Steer Secretary and Mrs G A Ward Treasurer. The annual subscription was 2s. 6d. (12.5p) and remained so until 1968 when it was raised to 3s. 6d. (17.5p). The present subscription is £5 per year.
The Society's programme continues to be based on lectures and excursions. Since 1943 the lectures have been held at Brentwood County High School. Most feature Essex history and archaeology, but natural history is included, and some cover a wider area of South-East England. The early excursions were made on bicycle but coaches were used after 1945. Private cars are used for evening visits to the more local venues.
The Society has about 100 members, and new members are always welcome.
Work on the history of the locality has continued from the early days to the present. Members' publications include:
A History of South Weald and Brentwood (1961), Victorian and Edwardian Brentwood (1980), and the account of the history of South Weald and Brentwood in Victoria County History of Essex, volume viii (1983), by Gladys A Ward
A History of Brentwood Baptist Church, (1986), by Doreen Acton
St Helen's Parish, Brentwood 1837-1987 (1987), by Peter McCaul
Brentwood (The Old Photographs Series) (1994), compiled by John Copeland and N Harris
Brentwood - A History (2004), by Jennifer Ward
Members' meetings have long been a feature of the Society's programmes, and a number of papers have been published in Essex Journal and Essex Archaeology and History. Members have a keen interest in the activities of the Brentwood Museum Society, and in the Museum in Lorne Road which opened in 1989; website http://www.brentwood.gov.uk/index.php?cid=354
The Society's committee comprises:
President: John Copeland
Vice-Presidents: Mary Humphreys, Bill Wilford
Secretary: Jennifer Ward
Treasurer: Graham Gibbs
Press Secretary: Mary Humphreys
Journal Editor: Audrey Puddy
Committee members: Rosemary Gibbs, Pat Hanway, Beryl Masters, Theresa Pickles, Janet Powell, Mary Tate, Bob Wager
Essex Congress Representative: Bob Wager
Examiner: Bill Wilford
