Volunteers have helped bring a village’s history to life as part of its garden open day at the weekend.

Residents and visitors to Broughton saw a variety of characters from the area’s past pop up across the area, with images of famous figures displayed. There were also actors inhabiting the roles of these individuals following the establishment of a village archive.

A spokesperson for the organisers said that what was on display was just “a taster” of the full archive, which will be opened to the public following the end of lockdown restrictions.

The annual Broughton open gardens took place on Sunday, July 11, following the postponement of last year’s event due to the pandemic. 16 gardens were opened to members of the public, with admission costs going towards the village church.

There was a lot to see across the sites, from small cottage gardens to spreading acres by the Wallop Brook. Those opening their gardens included Chris Hewlett, who has won national prizes for his giant vegetables, as well as Mary Ridley, RHS galanthophile, or snowdrop, judge.

The gardens also formed a backdrop to Broughton’s archives, which have recently been established in the village hall following funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. They were donated by Dr Robert Parr, a former GP, who put the collection together over 65 years before his death in 2020

The village’s amateur dramatics group took the opportunity to play some of the figures of the past, with Tim Evans in the character of Christopher Robinson, who wore many hats in the village as an undertaker, builder, coffin maker, registrar, and church warden, and member of a family dynasty spanning the generations.

More famous is Ann Steele, an 18th century hymn writer, and member of Broughton’s baptist community. She was played by Kerry Lamb, who normally runs the Tally Ho! Pub with her husband Ryan.

For more information on the archives, visit: https://www.broughtonhistory.org.uk/