Mrs Marguerite Darvill

Mrs Marguerite Darvill moved to Mickleton in the 1950s with her daughter Claire. She had been a librarian and these skills played a huge role for the Women’s Institute editing and writing “The Story of Our Village 1850-1957”. She was a member of Mickleton WI, served at one time as President and also on the executive of the Gloucestershire Federation of WIs where she was a member of the history sub-committee. Mrs Darvill served on Mickleton Parish Council and was a founder of the Mickleton Society.

Recording the History of our Village

In 1958 Mickleton WI entered the competition “To record the history of our village within living memory” and was awarded third prize. Personal reminiscences were collected and the competition was entered to suit the criteria laid out by the GFWI committee. At the same time photographs were collected and some made into slides before being returned.

In 1961 with the encouragement of the Parish Council and generous donations The Village Book was printed and sold to allay costs. In 1981 funds were raised to reprint the book.
The institute also entered a competition in 1975 known as Heritage Year. This time photographs were taken of particular houses in the village. Cost of the photography was key to how many were taken. Location and historical facts were recorded. Mickleton WI came joint first in this competition. The original photos are held by Gloucestershire Records Office but can be seen within this community archive.

Accessing The Photograph Collection

Over the years the photograph and slide collection grew. To raise funds slide shows were held in King George’s Hall. Older villagers and newcomers were eager to see themselves and call out anything they knew about the photos.
Almost 900 slides and photographs were added to the Community Archive from the WI collection
.