In-depth history of a great town (From Witney Gazette)

In-depth history of a great town

9:00am Wednesday 20th September 2006 in Witney By Maddy Biddulph

THE history of Carterton will be unlocked in a new book which is part of an ambitious project to tell the story of every town and village in the county.

The Victoria County History of Oxfordshire was showcased last Wednesday at Asthall Manor, in Burford, where novelist Nancy Freeman-Mitford grew up.

The Victoria County History of Oxfordshire is a major local and national project, which is being run in association with Oxfordshire County Council's Heritage Services.

The book entitled Carterton provides a definitive, in-depth history of the town, including its origins as a market gardening centre, and its association with RAF Brize Norton.

The surrounding area is also chronicled, including a look at several lost medieval villages around Alvescot. Editor, Simon Townley said: "Local history is all about getting people engaged with the history around them, and there really is something here for everybody. Lost medieval villages, rural life and agriculture, family history, and last but not least Carterton itself - historically one of the most unusual and fascinating places in the county."

The project aims to cover the whole county, and there are already 15 volumes, with parts already online at www.oxfordshirepast.net It has been partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The book will be available through the Oxfordshire Library Service, and can be ordered through any bookshop.

The council's executive member for adult learning and culture, Don Seale, said: "The Victoria County History is unique in building up a comprehensive history of Oxfordshire's towns and villages.

"It is a major resource for people interested in family history or heritage, and we are delighted to be in partnership with this great national enterprise."