At our April meeting Dorcas Ward MA (Cantab.) was installed as Honorary President of the Bradfield Historical Society. Born and raised in Copyhold Farm next to the War Memorial, in Bradfield Southend, she has always been the person to go to if one had any questions about the village and the surrounding area. Her mother’s family (the Stevens) had played a prominent part in village life since 1740 and left a considerable amount of records which Dorcas has been able to use in her research. She read History at Cambridge and since she retired has enjoyed writing and talking about the history of the local area. She is the author of two books ‘History of Bradfield in Berkshire,” which is sadly out of print but available in libraries and “A history of Frilsham’ where she now lives. When the Bradfield Historical Society was established in 2015 it was fitting that she be asked to serve on the committee. She has threatened to retire a few times over the past years, but her knowledge was too important to lose. So by making her President she can take a less hands-on approach, which she has wanted, while at the same time maintaining an important link with the group.
Prof Martin Parsons Bradfield Historical Society.
