The Local Historian Volume 23, Number 3 August 1993

By Norman Paul

There is much of interest to local historians in a study of the shapes and designs of fonts in parish churches. They range chronologically from the pre-Conquest period to the 20th century, and Paul argues that their styles reflect current religious practice in the sacrament of baptism, as well as the more obvious changes in architectural and decorative tastes. He outlines methods of recording the evidence, using photography as well as notes and sketches, and discusses the nature of baptism and its sacramental and architectural requirements. There follows a detailed description of the development of styles and designs of fonts, in which the changes are related to the ceremony of baptism itself. Forms of decoration, the architectural structure of fonts, the re-use and re-cutting of fonts, and the symbolism of the depiction of heraldry, heads, religious motifs and other features are all discussed. Colouring and painting, destruction or defacing of carving during periods of iconoclasm, and the revival of medieval styles in the 19th century are noted. The article includes a description of font covers and their own characteristics and there is a helpful glossary of terms.

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By J.D. Marshall

Industrial colonies are defined as settlements 'planted' by an employer where he can gather a labour force for immediate use in a local industry. It is suggested that these are a neglected type of settlement because for most people 'the local community' means a rural village. Marshall argues that many of these villages were (unlike the famous examples such as Saltaire) not given much formal planning, and that they were established by aristocratic as well as middle-class industrialists. The different types of village or colony are then discussed, though there is a warning about the dangers of stereotyping or categorising. Textile colonies are the most numerous, followed by those associated with coal and iron industries. Social organisation and social control were common features and in some an element of co-operative management in, for example, the provision of shops and retail facilities. Specific examples are discussed, including the Club Houses at Horwich (Lancashire), Belmont near Bolton, and the iron-mining and smelting village of Cleator Moor in West Cumberland. The notes and references indicate a number of other studies of individual examples.

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By Timothy Baker

The Middlesex VCH consists (1993) of nine of the planned 15 or 16 volumes. The article discusses its special importance and unusual character, in that it covers much of London and the outer metropolitan area. The genesis of the county's VCH, the problems of funding and administration, and the involvement of local government in providing (or not providing) financial support are noted. The major problems of compressing information are considered, including the need to rationalise format and make other space savings. Staffing problems have also been encountered, and progress has been slow, but a programme for completion is mentioned and the article concludes with noting how the local government financial restrictions of the early 1990s affected the project.

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By John Douch

Biographical account of William Waylett of Lydd, Kent, based upon memoranda books surviving in the library of the Wellcome Institute. Waylett's background in a medical family, and the geographical context of Romney Marsh where he spent his whole life, are described, and then the content of the memoranda books is considered. Reference is made to a paper published in 1904 by Frederick William Cock, which is an account of the life of William Waylett.