Gatherings
1st Gathering at Woodbridge, Suffolk, 11th September 1988
The first Trott Gathering was at Woodbridge, Suffolk.
The gathering was organised by members Margaret and Humph LEECH. Attendees came from far and wide with 125 attending. The furthest travelled was Wine Maker Greg TROTT from Wirra Wirra Winery, South Australia, who came, armed with a case of wine, a dozen of his highly acclaimed ‘Church Block’, a fine red, which was readily consumed by thirsty members.
The first gathering was a great success with members displaying charts and trees, with much information being exchanged.
Nearby ‘Buttrum’s Mill’, a well known landmark in the area, was built in 1836 by John Whitmore of Wickham Market, to the order of Captain William Trott RN (Rtd.) for his youngest son Pierce Trott, and was originally called Trott's Mill. Pierce Trott married Hannah Churchyard in 1836, and the mill may have been a wedding present. The mill's first two millers were George Trott, born 1st May 1805 Woodbridge, died 1847, miller 1836-1846, and Pierce Trott, born 17th February 1813 Woodbridge, died 1861, miller 1846-1861.
Note: This is the ancestral line of cricketer Jonathon Trott.
2nd Gathering at Hampstead Norreys, Berkshire, 19th May 1991
The 2nd Gathering was held in the Village Hall of the picturesque village of Hampstead Norreys, Berkshire. The village is 9 miles north east of Newbury.
Hampstead Norreys Village Hall
There is evidence of Trotts in Berkshire since the mid 1600s and the gathering, organized by Lynne Evans (nee Blair) was well attended with 40 members, displaying family tree charts around the walls of the Village Hall. The gathering commenced with morning tea at 10.30am.
The computer was in full use, researching the growing data base. Lunch followed at 12.30 and many members were still present after 6pm.
3rd Gathering at How Caple, Herefordshire, 22nd May 1994
The gathering took place at How Caple Grange, Herefordshire. It was organised by Joan and Donald Victor-Trott, who provided stands for the display of family tree charts and photos which many members had brought along. The computer was available again with several data bases which were constantly in use throughout the day. Members Joy and Ed Trott from Canada were able to attend again.
St. Andrews Church at How Caple
4th Gathering at Blackfriars Hall, Norwich, 18th May 1997
A very successful gathering, and the TONRG Committee was able to hold their committee meeting. Present were Chair: Bob Trott, Secretary & Treasurer: Margaret Leech, Vice Chair: Joyce Trott, with committee: June Willing, Phil Sherwood, John Trott and Leslie Trott.
The gathering was organised by Margaret and Bernard Trott. A good number of overseas members were able to attend. From New Zealand, members Myra Midgeley and Mark Trott were the furthest travelled, followed closely by Texas, USA members Carla and Byron Trott, and from South Africa Phyllis Trott with her sister and nephew. The day was a great success with much exchanging of information and searches of trees.
St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls, Norwich
5th Gathering at Taunton, Somerset (The Millennium), 17th September 2000
This gathering was held at the very impressive Taunton Library, Taunton, Somerset. It was a joint venture held together with Phil Sherwood, (our Webmaster) and the Sherwood One Name Study Group. As a joint gathering it was a resounding success, the Sherwood Group reporting it as a ‘Family Tree Fest’ with a ‘Lunch Feast’ at a restaurant next to Taunton Castle. Over 50 attended from both groups.
Family tree displays were most impressive. Kay Payne had a large tree display as did Howard Trott. Charts were also sent by June Willing and Margaret Leech. Unfortunately neither were able to attend. Chair Bob and Editor Stuart both had their computers, and data base information was much in demand. Publicity re the gathering was well covered in the local press, and Editor Stuart was interviewed on ‘Somerset Sound’. As a result we have gained several new members. A committee meeting was even squeezed into the very busy day. Ed and Joy Trott from Canada managed to get flights across and attend, once again.
Taunton Library
6th Gathering at the Horticultural Hall, Guildford, 14th September 2003
The gathering was a joint venture between the Trotts and the Sherwoods, with Chair Bob organizing and hosting the groups. There were 53 attending. It was a glorious sunny day as can be seen from the photo of Trotts attending. As with the Taunton meeting the Committee was able to fit a meeting into the very busy schedule. Editor Stuart and his computer data base were in high demand as were the CDs, books and manuscript files Stuart had brought along. A good successful day.
The Trott Group at Guildford, a lovely warm sunny day
7th Gathering at Dorchester, Dorset, 3rd September 2006
The gathering, our 3rd joint venture with the Sherwood Group, took place at the architecturally-interesting Brownsword Hall, Poundsberry, Dorchester. Poundsberry is the model village set up by Prince Charles and is located on the western side of Dorchester.
The Committee held its three yearly meeting during the afternoon, Chairman Bob Trott, Secretary/Treasurer John R T Trott, and Committee: Edison Trott, Phil Sherwood, John E Trott, his daughter, Gillian Haslam (as a new member), and Newsletter Editor Stuart Trott.
The future of the newsletter was an important topic as with increasing Internet use are newsletters still needed? The consensus was newsletters should remain. It will be issued to members electronically, in hard copy for those without computer access, and it should remain quarterly.
Lunch was taken at The Poet Laureate Pub
next to the hall.
There were numerous displays and charts and a great deal of information exchanged as can be seen from the photo inside the hall. 46 members attended the gathering drawn from both groups.
7th Gathering at Knowl Hill, Berkshire, 13th September 2009
Our 7th gathering was again a joint venture, this time with the Trout Group, who kindly allowed us to join their gathering. The venue was the Village Hall at Knowls Hill, on the A4 between Maidenhead and Reading, and was organized by Edwin Trout. The Trout Group have their newsletter, Trout Family Historian and we have had Trout members at several of our earlier gatherings.
Much information was gathered and discussed and displays and charts were numerous around the hall as can be seen in the group photo. A very well organized gathering.