War Time Exhibition 2011-2012

Under the Government's evacuation plan "Operation Pied Piper", over 50 children were evacuated to Churchill and Sarsden during the war.
This exhibition has now finished but if you are interested in any aspects of it, please contact us.
We have archived the material and oral recordings.
The King in Churchill

Evacs2

Evacuees arriving at Chipping Norton station

 "Americans are not Englishmen who are different, but foreigners who are rather like us."
Pamphlet issued by the Army Bureau of Current Affairs (1943)   
From 1944, The HQ for CCB Company of 6th Armoured Division, US Army, was based in the grounds of Sarsden House,
and the upper floors of the house itself - the home of Lady Wyfold - became the officers' accommodation.

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We have been working on a new exhibition for some time – the Heritage Centre has always boasted of its four important ‘sons’ but now it is time for the women of the village to be celebrated.  Each in her own way has changed lives both in Churchill and in the wider world.

OUR Four remarkable women

 Elizabeth Bourne (1549-1599)
Who controversially petitioned for divorce from her philandering husband and left letters which are now considered a most significant and valuable historical source of early modern literature and inform a greater understanding of women’s negotiations for legal autonomy in the sixteenth century.
A seventeenth-century eccentric

Anne Walter (Unknown – 1707)
Who lived in fear of being murdered but left a trust which is still providing grants for education purposes.
A nineteenth-century grocer

Emily Jennings (1814-1885)
Whose legacy launched a village charity.
A twentieth-century High Sheriff

Judy Hutchinson (1916-1989)
Whose secret war work has never been fully acknowledged.

From Our Guest Book

  • "Congratulations to all on this initiative.  So well-organised and user-friendly."

  • "Fantastic, absolutely first class. Most interesting and informative."

  • "A fascinating visit. William Smith was a wonderful man! "

  • "Great building, well restored. Charming!"

  • "Such a wonderful enterprise. The locality should be proud of it."

  • "Excellent to have this centre as a focus for Churchill's history - especially in relation to William Smith."

  • "What a lovely treat to stumble upon. Thank you for preserving a part of our Heritage"

  • "Beautiful setting, very peaceful & informative"

  • "A fascinating display in a very beautiful setting."

  • "A little gem I didn't know existed."

  • "Very good new interactive displays, very comprehensive."

  • "A fine chance discovery"

  • "Beautiful restoration, very nicely done! Unexpected hive of information."

  • "Lovely spot, so grateful this part of the old church was saved."

  • "Why haven't we been here earlier? We shall certainly return!"