Well, after all the excitement of the Osgodby Dig, what have we been up to?
We got involved in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the village, and did some research and put on a display in Barlby & Osgodby Methodist Church on 3 June 2022. Jan S did a fabulous display of 1950s fashion.
In the year the Queen ascended to the throne in 1952, the big event in the village was the fire at Osgodby Hall. From that point onwards, the hall never looked the same, having lost it’s imposing Tower. We were donated photographs from the Silver Jubilee Celebrations, and it was great to watch local residents having a game of guessing “who is on the photos”.
Research took us into the local newspaper archives which gave a very detailed account of all the winners of the races in 1953. For the older generation, there were “oohs and aahs” as they recognised names.
Our new exhibition table cloth was used for the first time, and looked splendid, far more professional looking. We now have somewhere to hide all the cables and boxes when we are out and about displaying in various locations in the district!
Bonus of the day was that Afternoon Tea was being served to the senior citizens of the Parish, so we did not have to venture far for refreshments!
The June monthly meeting focused on the “end of project” celebrations (although it’s recognised research will continue “forever”)
It is rather frightening that the HLF funded project is fast coming to an end – where have the past few years gone?. Admittedly, we did have the small interlude that was “COVID” that interrupted meetings and trips to archives, but we got through it.
Those at the June meeting knocked ideas around. We knew from the very beginning of the project we would be putting-on an exhibition to share our research and findings. During our research, we found that in 1302 the Manor of Osgodby had been granted a weekly market, and a yearly fair on the “vigil, the feast and the morrow of the Nativity of St Mary” (8 September), it became obvious we wanted to celebrate and “bring back” the market and fair. Looking at newspapers, the Osgodby Feast was last mentioned in 1929, when the comment was made “passed unnoticed” Well, it was and opportunity not to be missed to celebrate the history of Osgodby and bring the community together #puttingosgodbyonthemap!
Relating it back to medieval times, there would have been lots of entertainment at these fairs such as Jugglers, magicians, and dancing bears (not sure about the latter!) There were also mystery plays and traveling entertainers. So that. the local community could perhaps relate to “modern day” Feasts, it was thought appropriate to step back in time to the 1940s/50s
A small group of five were charged to go away and pull together an Osgodby Feast with market stalls. What plans will the “famous five” hatch?