West End History

West End documented

The West End Village Society plays an active role in documenting, preserving and communicating the history of West End. We urge all members, and anyone interested in the village and its community, to contribute any time and resources they have to help us build upon this body of knowledge and communicate it to the generations to come.

‘Memories of West End’ – WEVS Project of the Year

WEVS’ Project of the Year for 2026 is to actively record long-time residents’ memories of West End in past times. We think it’s important to record people’s recollections and stories before they are lost forever. What was it like to live in West End in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and later? ‘Memories of West End’ will be developed in conjunction with WEVS’ established History Project.

We would be glad to hear from residents who would like their memories of West End recorded; contact us, and we will set things up. You have much to tell, and so much lies in the ordinary details of day-to-day life, rather than just the big events. These records will become priceless for the families concerned, as well as being invaluable in the History Project collection. It is the memories and records of ordinary citizens that lie at the heart of local history.

Michael Underwood and Guy Consterdine are leading this project. Please contact us at historyproject@wevs.org.uk
Alternatively we encourage members to write down their stories themselves, and let us add the result to our collection. We can assist as needed.

Memories of West End Project

West End History Project

The same view, July 2024. It shows how the pub has been extended, the shops in the Gordon’s View building have been converted to residential property, and the Post Office has been demolished.

WEVS formally launched the West End History Project at the AGM on 18 January 2025.

The project will create a digital publicly accessible archive of historic photographs and other material, as a section on this website. This archive will complement local historian John Smith’s extensive collection of printed photographs and documents.

If you have any queries or contributions then please contact us at historyproject@wevs.org.uk.

West End History Project

West End, 800BC-100AD

An Iron Age (800BC to 43AD) settlement at Fairfield Lane was discovered in 2017, consisting of round houses, storage buildings, drains and iron slag – proof of iron smelting which indicates that it was a settlement of regional significance.

West End Village Society member, Guy Consterdine, researched and documented this discovery and presented his findings to the members at the 2018 AGM.
Download this fascinating presentation to learn more

West End Then and Now

WEVS has published a book, ‘WEST END, THEN AND NOW,’ which provides a history from the Bronze and Iron Ages to the present day.
It is 70 pages, colour.
For your copy (£7.50) please contact historyproject@wevs.org.uk