LISS Area Historical Society hosts two days of workshops and exhibitions to focus on the ever- growing collection of village artefacts. The first of the two events will be an 'Archives for All' exhibition later this month, run in conjunction with Hampshire County Council's archives department. The workshops are intended to answer questions people may have about the community, such as the histories of streets, houses, pubs and shops. There will be opportunities to browse sample resources and see the Access Hampshire Heritage touring exhibition. Images of sample documents, a description of them, the information they contain, and how they can be used to research the history of a neighbourhood or village are all part of the Access Hampshire Heritage website. Images include county-wide sources, such as village centre maps from the 19th and 20th centuries. A day of workshops will be held at the Triangle Centre in Mill Road, Liss, on Friday, May 30, from 1.50pm-5.10pm. Meanwhile, the exhibition will remain in Liss from May 26 to June 27, before it moves to other venues around Hampshire. The county council's executive member for recreation and heritage, Margaret Snaith, said: "Access Hampshire Heritage contains information on local history which you can investigate from the comfort zones of your own home, library, or community centre by using the Internet. "This is a great step forward for Hampshire County Council and will make documents easily accessible to everyone across the county." Although the workshops are free, organisers say booking is essential. People can book in advance by calling 01962 846154. Alternatively, visit www3.hants.gov.uk. The historical society exhibition continues on Saturday, May 31, with the 'Liss Collection', again at the Triangle Centre, from 9am-5pm. Admission is free but donations will be welcome. The Liss Collection was started in the 1920s and was taken over by Liss Area Historical Society when it formed in the mid-1980s, although it is stressed by members that the collection belongs to the people of Liss. Items have been collected by villagers over the years to make up a treasure trove of artefacts that have some significance to the village and its people. Society chairman Bob Luckhurst said: "Our main objectives are to look after the Liss Collection and to carry on building it up and make it available to members of the public who would like to see it." Society members have recently been bringing the collection up to date by uploading artefacts as part of a computer project. The exhibition presents a rare opportunity for the collection to get a public airing, as there is currently no suitable space to present the items permanently. Mr Luckhurst said: "The long-term aim will be to find a possible site to house the collection." The society is currently looking at ways to address some of the problems they are faced with, one being the need for new people to get involved. Mr Luckhurst said: "We are all getting older and without new blood coming in it is going to be difficult to look after and make the collection available." The need for a cash injection has also been addressed within the society, with the possibility of a Lottery application being one suggestion members have raised, which Mr Luckhurst added "would enable us to have more specialised help". The collection was recently boosted by the addition of items discovered in an archaeological dig at the Roman site at the top end of the village.
