At a recent meeting of Edwinstowe Historical Society, Adrian Gray spoke about the life of Richard Bernard, who was born in Epworth. He was a significant figure among Puritans and Separatists during the reign of James I. As a writer, he influenced John Bunyan and authored an authoritative book about witches, based on his experiences in Worksop. Richard’s daughter later helped to establish Rhode Island, a state in America.
The society’s researchers have been busy once again, assisting a gentleman from Holland who wished to learn more about his great-grandfather, who died in Edwinstowe. His great-grandfather was born in Galicia (present-day Ukraine) in 1904. Following the German invasion in 1939 and the subsequent Russian ‘liberation’, he arrived in the UK in 1944. The family had lost contact with him until they were notified of his death in 1981.
The society’s enquiries led to the lane where he had lived, where a neighbour remembered him and confirmed that he had been buried in the Forest Cemetery. The grave was located, and after the headstone was cleaned, a photograph was sent to the enquirer, who was delighted to show it to his grandmother, allowing her to see where her father was buried. This year, Edwinstowe will receive an extra visitor who has a very special reason to visit the village, as well as exploring Sherwood Forest.
The meeting on Wednesday 16th April will focus on Thoresby Hall and Park, presented by the ‘In-House’ team.
Meetings are held in the Church Rooms, Mansfield Road, Edwinstowe NG21 9NJ, on the third Wednesday of the month, commencing at 2.00pm and lasting approximately two hours. Tea, coffee, and biscuits are available. The annual membership subscription is £15.00, and visitors are warmly welcomed at a charge of £3.00.
More information is available at www.edwinstowehistory.org.uk, and enquiries may be sent to EdwinstoweHistorySoc@gmail.com.