Local history heading for meltdown?

News of three local history societies on the verge of collapse is more than a coincidence; are other societies fading away unnoticed? The media trumpets a growing interest in local heritage among the public at large. As consumers, the public may want to watch programmes on TV, read articles and even buy a local history book once in a while, but this is quite different to being an activist and actually undertaking your own research.

Some years ago, Andrew Selkirk, long-time co-editor of Current Archaeology, wrote about the 'LV societies' where most of the members paid their annual membership fee in return for 'lectures and visits', with little or no intention of doing anything themselves. When societies such as the Kent History Federation, founded in 1935, and the Barnes & Mortlake History Society, founded in 1955 with 340 current members, stare oblivion in the face you know that this is probably the tip of an iceberg.

After 14 years in the post, and being 'nearly 75', Frances Percival wants to stand down as Secretary of the Kent Federation, but no one has been found to take over the job. Barnes & Mortlake's Chairman Sue Boyd’s plea for volunteers to come forward is the lead story in the society's March 2006 newsletter and the cover has the words 'Now The Moment of Truth' in very large print. The committee has been warning members of the pending crisis in each of its last four newsletters and 'No-one has come forward which, in a Society of 340 members, is depressing'.

Jill Wishart, Chair of the Cumbria Federation, addresses the problem directly in the Federation's Spring 2006 Bulletin by explaining what being an officer means in terms of responsibilities and workload and ends by asking member societies to 'advise all their members of the gravity of the situation' and that in the absence of 'sufficient nominations, then steps will be taken to dissolve the Federation at the (September 2006) AGM'. Another county society admits it has 'a real problem' and has appealed for volunteers, but doesn't want the seriousness of the situation publicised. How many other local history societies are in the same boat?

The Periodical Reviews section in the latest issue of Local History Magazine (No.106, Jan/Feb 2006) begins with an article, 'Saluting local history's finest' about the role of the volunteers in ensuring that societies and their journals survive. 'As well as promoting the best in local history research and approaches to learning, equal prominence must be given to communication and involvement with the wider community'. By becoming members of local community networks, societies will not only raise their profile, but 'reveal a rich recruiting ground for members and activists'.

If you can help either of the societies named, contact Mrs Frances Percival, Secretary, Kent History Federation, 14 Valliers Wood Rd, Sidcup, Kent DA15 8BG, tel: 020 8300 3830; e-mail: frances@percival4842.freeserve.co.uk, or Barnes & Mortlake History Society, c/o Rose House, 70 Barnes High St, London SW13 9LD.