ANYONE interested in local history will have come across the work of Pat Heather, whose published books include the subjects of Farnham Park, the Windsor Almshouses and the role of the Dissenters in Farnham’s religious life.

She has been working for some years on the role played by women in the town and surrounding villages, initially encouraged by fellow enthusiasts for research such as Philip Brooks, and in particular Peggy Parks, whose chance remark on the status of widows in the town in the 19th century gave Pat the impetus to begin work.

The scope has grown with Pat’s researches, she has used original documents where available, and these sources are shown in comprehensive notes at the end of each century’s chapter.

Early sources on ordinary life are hard to find for the novice, but Pat has managed to do so using her years of dedicated research into wills, deeds of probate, inventories etc.

She has structured her information well; each chapter deals with the changing role of women in the household and within businesses and farms, including their changing status through life as daughter, wife, widow or spinster.

We also get glimpses of real women through their documentary records, including some with very colourful marital histories, or through their disputes with the Bishop’s court over land or inheritance. Although the book is based on research into a particular area, the role of women, the text is never dry but sheds a great deal of light on local affairs in the town and its villages, serving to amplify what is already documented.

The text is enhanced with black and white images from a wealth of sources, carefully chosen to illustrate the world they describe. The book is part of an Occasional Series published by F&DMS, and is printed to the high standard of their other publications.

It is available from Peter Minett, 01252 721576 or from Farnham Museum, price £10. Further details are available on the society’s website farnhammuseumsociety.org.uk

Review by Pam Taylor

chairman of the Farnham and District Museum Society