THE ANNUAL Bygone Buriton event attracted more than 200 visitors – including families from around the country.
People travelled from as far afield as Leeds, Nottingham and Wales to chat to old friends, find out more about local history and bring photographs.
On the eve of the exhibition, organisers at the Buriton Village Association received an e-mail from Miami, Florida, with photographs of the Little Wonder Bus which used to link Buriton to Petersfield and East Meon.
The Buriton Heritage Bank, set up in 2001, now has 3,000 images in its archive, a huge amount of information on all aspects of the village’s history and has produced a dozen books.
Among those bringing old photos this year were Carole and June Gauntlett who were regular hop-pickers in Buriton, among the scores of people who stayed in temporary huts at Cowhouse Farm to help with the seasonal farm work in the 1940s and 50s.
They met villager Ted Underwood who had also been a regular hop-picker until Manor Farm stopped growing them in the 1960s.
Other visitors had plenty to chat about as they had had connections with Cowhouse Farm too, and with Stanbridge and Heath farms on the outskirts of Petersfield.
One of the organisers of Saturday’s event which packed out St Mary’s Church, Doug Jones said:?“There was particular interest in the information about the First World War that was displayed this year, with a special presentation about all the men who had joined the forces.
“Almost 200 men had gone away at some time during the war, out of a total population of less than 800. Information has now been collected for almost 140 of these ‘Brave Boys of Buriton’ and the presentation explained their role in the great conflict.”
The relatives of one of the soldiers featured, Joe Hall, brought in a number of fascinating photos.
“Buriton’s local history team still want to find out more about what life was like at home during the First World War, as well as finding out more about every one of the parishioners who took part,” added Doug.
“It is hoped that some families may have letters, diaries and photographs that may help, and it is hoped that yet more people will get in touch.
“We are really pleased that we have been able to bring so much information together, but we are always looking for more.
“It was another great day, busy from the minute the doors opened until we said goodbye to our last visitors.”
Anyone with information about the local history and heritage of the parish of Buriton should contact Doug Jones by telephoning 01730 231326 or visit www.buriton.org.uk