Formation
The Nailsea Local History Society was established in 1975 to promote an interest in the history of Nailsea.
The previous year Mr. John Reeves, a History teacher, had been studying documents deposited in Nailsea Library. The then Librarian, Miss Judith Atkinson, suggested that a study group be formed to assist in this work. The first meeting of the NLHS was on 22nd January 1975 when the group gathered to study the Deeds of Settlement. Miss Atkinson acted as Chairperson / Secretary. Several evening visits were made that year.
In those days no other such society existed in the area between Long Ashton and Clevedon with their respective Conversation and Archaeological Societies. Because of this void the needs of the adjacent villages of Wraxall, Tickenham and Backwell had to be met and shortly the Society’s name was amended to the Nailsea & District Local History Society. Monthly meetings continued to be held in Nailsea Library where the village records were archived.
Early Days
One of the earliest projects was the creation by Mr. David Cains of a comprehensive photographic collection amounting over a period of years to some 2,000 to 3,000 black and white prints. Two copies were made, one for the Library Service and the other for the Society to use in publications and exhibitions.
There was an almost immediate demand for Society speakers. This was to include talks to schools, village walk-abouts and guided tours of industrial sites. Annual exhibitions, excavation open days and the occasional symposium began to appear in the programme.
Original research, or a fresh interpretation of existing work, was encouraged with the annual award of the Greenhill Shield – in memory of the Society’s first President, Basil J. Greenhill, a long time local historian.
Early publications appeared as occasional Heritage Papers in an A4 duplicated format without covers. These were followed for some years by books again in an A4 format, duplicated, but now with a printed yellow cover and a spine binder.
The Society Today
Today the Society still has a reputation for both the quality and quantity of its printed publications; for its programme of monthly speakers; and for its active work in preserving and promoting the heritage of the area.