The story of CHAIN 1977 -2012
by Ron Rowlands
HISTORY OF CHAIN
Introduction
Background
Public meeting
Steering Committee
Neighbourhood Scheme (Links)
The Office
Constitution
Finance
The Fry Bequest
Cars
Handybus
Chairman vehicle
Chain Mail
Town (Events) diary
Survey of over 60s – 1983
Lunches
Social Activities
Befriending scheme
Other ‘snippets’ of information.
QUEEN’S GOLDEN JUBILEE AWARD
APPENDIX
Early Details
Chain’s Officers
Office & Links
Reflections
2021 Some Updates
Town Diary
A Town Diary has been a regular feature in CHAIN MAIL since 1980. This is confirmed by the following paragraph in the June 1980 issue:-
“CHAIN initiated the idea of a Hungerford Diary and the indomitable Ivy Wells (28 Atherton Crescent, Tel 2837) keeps a diary to prevent a clash of events.
Here is what is in the diary when Chain Mail went to press”
There followed a list of events; twenty eight of them for six months June to November. This was just the beginning because although, inevitably, the number of events fluctuated over the years, by 2012 the average number had increased to 50 entries per month, plus a list of regular weekly events. This gives an indication of the increasing popularity of the diary and also reflects the diligence and enthusiasm of those responsible for maintaining / compiling the lists.
Most, but not all, issues of CHAIN MAIL gave the name of the diary contact / compiler but as far as can be ascertained they were:-
Ivy Wells From start until 1983
Sylvia Whitby 1983 to 1987
Wendy Sargent 1987 to 1989
Wendy and Geoffrey Wilkinson 1990 to 1993
Stephanie Small 1993 to 1997
Paul Cable Just six months in 1997
Jean Hutchings 1997 to 2004
Margaret Wilson 2004 until 2012 and beyond.
It was Margaret Wilson who, from when she took over in 2004, modified the list to show ‘Events held almost every week’ and a separate list of ‘one off’ events.
In 2002, having retired from full-time employment, Brian Davis thought it appropriate to help out with some local volunteering. As a Handybus driver he soon realised that his ongoing commitments kept ruling him out and that, maybe, helping promote the town through a more modern website might be a better way to help.
With the Internet rapidly becoming an integral part of everyday communications it is pleasing to note that by 2011 our central site www.hungerford.uk.net will record around 100,000 visits and over 2million hits. The site includes an electronic version of Chain Mail, together with a comprehensive list of organisations and contacts – and a What’s On that is dynamically updated by local subscribers. Hungerford and Chain are now well and truly on the world stage.
Updates from 2021
Margaret Wilson retired in due to ill health and the then Chain Mail Editor (David Piper) carried on the task of gathering information.