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URC
History Society
1 The Society met for its Study Weekend on 11-13th September 1998 at Westminster College, Cambridge. The Annual Lecture was given by Dr Julie Rugg, Research Fellow at the University of York. Her topic was "Nonconformity and the development of early cemeteries in Britain 1820-1850". This proved to be a very lively subject and provoked many questions. During the weekend members of the Society shared their interests and expertise by delivering a variety of lectures and talks. An afternoon trip to Sudbury URC also took place.
2 Dr Clyde Binfield, the editor, continues to receive a wide selection of excellent articles for the Journal. The Supplement written by Dr John Thompson to mark 250 years of the Coward Trust has been widely appreciated.
3 During the year, the Library and Archives were moved from the basement at Church House to Westminster College and the books housed in the new Reformed Studies Centre, the Healey Room and the space between the Library and the Senatus Room. The Archives are temporarily being stored in the Principal’s Lodge, but lack of manpower has prevented their being sorted out and properly arranged. Firm plans are now in place to overcome this problem during the second half of 1999. Those wishing to make use of the Library are advised to telephone the Principal of Westminster College first.
4 Written enquiries should be sent to the Society c/o Westminster College, Cambridge. Long term plans for providing this service are under consideration.
5 The implementation of the 1997 General Assembly’s Resolution One is proceeding in stages. The General Secretary has sent all the marriage registers to local record offices. He convened a meeting between representatives of the Society and representatives from the Northern Synod at which agreement was reached as to how relevant records would be released. This will serve as a pilot project for others. Material will be handed over only to professionally managed archives and standard terms of deposit will be negotiated.
6 At the Society Lunch during the General Assembly at Nottingham the President of the Society, Dr Elaine Kaye, spoke on "An Instinct for Action: J B Paton and the Life of Nottingham". Discussion and contributions from the floor followed.
7 Responding to an initiative by the Revd
Eric Wollaston, the Society Council decided to add Study Days in the North to the Society’s regular pattern of study days and weekends, beginning in March 1999 with a meeting at the old Northern Congregational College at Whalley Range.
8 The annual subscription to the Society is £10. Individuals and congregations with an interest in the history of the URC are warmly invited to join.
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