This project is now drawing to a close with the production of a book. It is currently with the printer and should be ready to launch before the end of this month.
It gives a brief history of Sprotbrough Village from prehistoric times to 1965, but its main focus is the stories of some of those who lived in the village between 1925 and 1965.
In 1925, Sprotbrough Estate was sold following the deaths of Brigadier-General Robert Calverley Alington Bewley Copley on 23 June 1923 and his wife, Selena Frances, on the day of his funeral. The next in line, their son Lord Cromwell, decided that the price of maintaining the estate, along with also having to pay double death duties, was too high a price to pay and decided to sell.
Although the estate covered many acres, until that time, the population of the village itself was only around 300 and most of them were tied to the estate through work, so the impending change to their lives was one of uncertainty but also opportunity.
By the early 1960s, the population had grown to 1014 and home ownership had well and truly arrived in the village.
Very few people were found who had actually experienced life in the village in 1925, but their descendants still had a story to tell, as had some that arrived in the village having purchased land and commenced building.
This is their story.
This is the first book written about Sprotbrough since 1969 and it is hoped that villagers will enjoy being reminded of those early days and that newcomers will discover something of the history of the place in which they now live.
Copies will initially be available from Liz Reeve and may now be ordered in advance by emailing soh.lizreeve@gmail.com or telephoning 01302 313030.
Published by MGEM Publishing, 193 pp, Price £12.99
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