Professor John Beckett, Nottingham University says: "This is an extraordinary opportunity to find out more about this unique English village and to recreate the lives of the villagers at the turn of the century until after the First World War.

"During those years not only was the nation gripped by the First World War but Laxton itself underwent a major re-organisation of its strip farming system. The project will uncover the impact on village life of the great changes wrought by the war and by the politics of the day. It is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Laxton to come together and document part of the history of this unique village."

Laxton remains remarkable as England’s last open field farming village managed by a Court and Jury, a survival of a farming system which has long passed away across most of Northern Europe and it gets visitors from all over the world.

The History Group, all volunteers from the local community, aim to produce booklets about the village, put new information on the web site, and to work with local teachers to produce educational materials for use in schools and by the general public. The volunteers will have the opportunity to take part in all aspects of the research and the presentation of the materials and they will be encouraged to make the most of training opportunities provided by the project, such as computer use, preparing displays and organising events for people of all ages.

Commenting on the award, Roger Cottee, Project Leader said: "We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and we are confident that the project will give us an opportunity to work together to help to preserve Laxton’s unique heritage and to make it more widely available locally, nationally and internationally.

"We know many people still living in Nottinghamshire and nearby have connections with Laxton and we are looking forward to making contact with as many as possible to discover the photographs, diaries, letters and other items they may have which will shed light on the village of 100 years ago."

Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, Vanessa Harbar welcomed the project: "We look forward to seeing this project underway, Laxton has a truly unique surviving medieval farming history and the volunteers of Laxton History Group have presented exciting plans to share it with the wider community."

Notes to editors

Laxton History Group (LHG) was established in 2008 and involves both villagers and others interested in its history. It always welcomes information about the village from anyone who has lived there or had relatives living and working in the village in the past.

Further information

For further information, images and interviews, please contact Roger Cottee at Laxton History Group on 01777 871137, email: roger.cottee@laxtonhistorygroup.org.uk.