Unearthing the history of Landford and Whiteparish
We’re delighted to report that work is underway on a new volume of the Wiltshire VCH series, covering the south east of the county.
Volume 20, for the Chippenham area, is now well advanced as is Volume 19, centred on Mere and being undertaken for us by the Institute of Historical Research at London University.
So we decided it was time to embark on one of the five remaining areas of the county not yet covered by VCH volumes. Fundraising started in 2019 and, thanks to some very generous donations, we have now awarded the first contract for researching and writing what will be volume 21.
The work is being undertaken by Dr Rosalind Johnson, well established as one of our researchers, and she will have as her consultant editor Professor Peter Fleming, formerly professor of history at the University of the West of England.
The area being researched first is the ancient hundred of Frustfield, equivalent to the modern parishes of Landford and Whiteparish. The two-year contract will involve researching the full history and preparing text for the new VCH volume, totalling around 25,000 words.
Separate contracts will be issued to cover the Alderbury hundred.
Launching work on a new volume is a real milestone for us and, we hope, a great encouragement to all our supporters.
