From Social Distancing to Social Gathering by Ineke Doesburg
Syston History Group
Yesterday is history… until you visit the Syston History Group. Then you’ll notice history is very much the present. During the first annual general meeting, I met up with chairman Tim. He loves to share historical facts and vague stories about our village. Did you know that The Green, for instance, has never really been green? But why it has the name, nobody knows.
Since this is the first meeting in two years, looking back at the minutes becomes a bit of an antic with the world being changed and so many things being put on hold at the same time.
The group might have been dormant from the outside, but they have certainly been active within.
The group has published another book (apparently they have published several books in the past!) about Syston in the 20th century. Before I can ask where they get their information from, an unknown item is brought to the table…literally. A member has found a bronze looking grinder in a charity shop and would like some input from the other members. We are invited to have a look and guess. Within 30 minutes we have solved the puzzle. The mystery object is a sea salt grinder from Greece!
Everybody is constantly invited to share their ideas and opinions which makes this meeting really animated. They certainly have some great ideas for their group like guest speakers (how about Winston Churchill telling his view of events?) and a boat trip with sandwiches and wine.
After the meeting, it is time to go for a walk through Syston. Not for real, but by looking at slides from the last decades. Even though this is all long before my time, I do not feel left out in any way. The reminiscing around me takes me back to my own memories and before we know it, we start talking windmills. That sometimes happens when you invite a Dutchie around.
While we were taking the picture for this article another surprise object appears. This time, a brick with round edges and words stamped into it. We have not solved that puzzle this time but are hopefully able to do so during the next meeting.
Would you like to share your view on the past with the Syston History Group?
Get in touch with Tim Garner at 0771 023 3188.