SAVA is Steeple Aston’s own Archive for the history of the village – past and present. Established in 2001, it was one of the first to be set up in North Oxfordshire. The Archive is a registered charity managed on a voluntary, not-for-profit basis by a committee of (currently) seven local people.
SAVA relies largely on donations from the village community and the Parish Council, and has received specific grants for projects from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Viridor and Sanctuary Housing Group and the Oxfordshire Community Foundation.
The collections are kept in the Village History Centre, part of the Village Hall, which opened in 2013. But increasingly a large number of documents are being digitised so that they can be made more accessible to the local community and through SAVA’s website at www.steepleastonarchive.org.uk.
Each year SAVA holds an event such as a Talk by an invited speaker, or a guided walk around the village. Our Autumn Exhibition each year on a range of different themes relating to the village is a popular fixture in the village calendar. Themes have included: Education, the Environment, Business and Trade, Then and Now, Farming, Village Personalities and Village Houses and Gardens.
Following on from its research into the houses of the village, SAVA has produced “A Walk Around Steeple Aston”, highlighting some of the interesting features of the village. It is available HERE on the village website.
If you would like to donate items, help with projects, or help by sponsoring the Archive, SAVA would be delighted to hear from you.
The Village History Centre opens every Saturday morning from 10.00am to 12.00 noon.
Contacts
Stuart Cummins, Chairman
Tel: 01869 349155
Carol Neville, Secretary
Email: steepleastonarchive@gmail.com
Website:www.steepleastonarchive.org.uk
Latest publication!
Take an historical walk around Steeple Aston
SAVA has produced an historical walk around the village that you can do at any time. It is being sold to raise funds for the Village History Centre.
A copy can be sent to you digitally from the SAVA website on request with an answer sheet included at a cost of £5, or you can purchase it at Steeple Aston village shop.
The walk is guided by Robina, a resident in 1923, who walks you around the village noting places and people of interest 100 years ago. The walk includes finding answers to questions on things you can see in 2023.
It starts and finishes at the Village Hall.
More on the SAVA website. https://www.steepleastonarchive.org.uk/