THE history of the villages of Upwey and Broadwey will be on display at a weekend exhibition.

The displays show how the villages have changed over the years and recall events, celebrations, people and places over the past 100 years or so.

Until about 30 years ago the villages were almost self sufficient, with bakers, grocery stores, and separate schools. The exhibition uses photos and information provided by residents past and present to show how village life used to be.

Exhibition organiser Sue Virgin said: “There has been a terrific response to a request for information and as much as possible has been included, including Upwey and St Nicholas, Broadwey School photos from 1900 till they closed in 1976 and 1972 respectively.

“These are all on show with extracts from the headmasters’ log books to remind past pupils of some of the events in school life.”

Visitors will also be able to view the Life and Times of Broadwey Secondary Modern School, as recorded by Mr Flay’s Publishing Club from 1949 when the school opened until 1975.

There will also be photographs of several local sports teams including football, cricket, skittles and darts.

Aerial photos taken in 1947, 1972 and 1997 show how the villages have developed and grown and these will be accompanied by street scenes with information about the shops/businesses which were there. The Somerset & Dorset Family History Society will be on hand with tips and advice on researching family history and David & Penny Ruck will be displaying items from their collection, dating back to the 1930s/40s/50s.

In order to share the memories collected, booklets have been produced from the school log books and pupil memories, for both St Laurence School Upwey and St Nicholas Broadwey. Another new booklet recalling the shops/businesses of Upwey is also available. Sue added: “‘The exhibition has a wide variety of displays, there’ll be something for everyone. Come along and enjoy a trip down memory lane or find out about life in the villages in days gone by.”

The exhibition is at the Upwey & Broadwey Memorial Hall, Victoria Avenue, Upwey near Weymouth, on Saturday and Sunday, November 20 and 21 from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

Contact Sue Virgin on 01305 267759 or sue.virgin@gmail.com