New laptop aids Essex village's history

A VILLAGE Society has been presented with a state-of-the-art laptop computer to complete its �1500 scanning project. In November, Radwinter Society was awarded over �1100 by Stansted Airport Community Trust towards an A3 scanner – but a dedicated laptop,

A VILLAGE Society has been presented with a state-of-the-art laptop computer to complete its �1500 scanning project.

In November, Radwinter Society was awarded over �1100 by Stansted Airport Community Trust towards an A3 scanner - but a dedicated laptop, loaded with appropriate software, was still needed.

Radwinter Parish Council stepped up to the plate and presented a Toshiba L450 laptop.

The new scanning set-up will enable people who wish to retain the originals of historic documents they hold - such as old house deeds farm log books and memorabilia - to share copies with a wider public.

Chairman of The Radwinter Society, Michael Southgate, said: "Now the Radwinter archive material will be transferred to equipment that Radwinter will always own and will be double backed up for future security. The society will be in a position to accept historic Radwinter records and photographs for scanning and store them in a future-proof manner.

"We are most grateful to Radwinter Parish Council and Stansted Airport Community Trust for enabling this project to be completed."

Beneficiaries of the now-completed project will be able to see copies of archived material and given access to the facilities through the history website at www.radwinterhistory.org.uk, either by viewing documents on the website as they appear, or by identifying interesting documents on the RUTH database, assessable through the Radwinter history website or though the Recorders of Uttlesford History website at www.recordinguttlesfordhistory.org.uk