About Project Purley
Project Purley was founded in 1982 by merging three groups, Transcribing Parish Registers, Natural History and Archaeology at the Church. We have a regular programme of talks on the 3rd Friday of each month from September to April and outings and visits in May, June and July. Our main social activities are a BBQ in July and a Christmas Party in December. Each year we sponsor performances by the Rain or Shine Theatre Company which raise money for local good causes.
Individual members pursue their own researches and interests and we publish articles in our Journal (published three times a year). Contributions and articles are also submitted to Purley Parish News and other publications and occasionally we put on exhibitions or host the meetings of other groups. Several members are willing to do commissioned research (eg into family history) or give talks to other societies.
We have an extensive archive of research material including photos, drawings, articles and copies and transcipts of original documents (We have a strict policy that original documents are offered to the Berkshire Record Office or the Reading Local Studies Library.)
To see more click on one of the links below:-
- History of Project Purley
- Our Aims and Objectives
- The Constitution
- The Executive Committee
- Speakers
- Commissioned Research
- How you can join
- Can you help by sharing your memories of Purley
- Copyright and Privacy
- The Journal
- The Project Purley Archive
Current Projects
Several of our members are involved in research either out of their own personal interests or as part of a group within Project Purley. The following is a summary of some of the projects underway at the moment:-
Jubilee 2012
Working with other groups in the village, Project Purley has undertaken to put on a major exhibition at the Barn in June 2012 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Entitled Three Glorious Queens it will show life in Purley and nationally in the reigns of Elizabeth Tudor, Victoria and Elizabeth II (I if you are a Scot) Individual groups are working on a large number of different aspects and collecting images and artefacts to display. – Contact secretary@project-purley.eu for more details.
The Purley River Estate
A small group is looking into the history of the Purley River Estate and interviewing people who have memories of the estate, its buildings and activities. contact editor@project-purley.eu for more details.
Berkshire War Memorials
Several members of Project Purley have been involved in documenting and recording War memorials across Berkshire. There has been extensive research into the men (and a few women) who are recorded on the memorials and it is hoped to bring members of other societies together to share results. Contact Chairman@project-purley.eu for more details.
Purley Magna Deeds
Recently a number of documents in the Berkshire Record Office were catalogued even though they were acquired many years ago. A small team is transcribing these documents and finding out all sorts of interesting new information about the village. Contact Jean@project-purley.eu for more information.
The Project Purley Archive
Over the years Project-Purley has acquired a vast number of images, articles, books, press cuttings etc etc relating to Purley. Most of this material is at present stored in members’ lofts, under beds, in cupboards and garages and is generally inaccessible to most members. A few years ago Project Purley embarked upon a project to digitise this material and make it available electronically. For more information look at our Archive page.
