Find out on about how to join the Trust as a member on this page.
Joining the Trust
By joining the Derbyshire Victoria County History (VCH) Trust you are helping to further our work in newly researching and publishing the history of Derbyshire communities.
Subscriptions start at £60 per year. For that you get:
- Entry into our monthly draw with a prize of £100 (this is not mandatory if you do not wish to take part)
- Updates on our work
- A free copy of our research handbook
- Free attendance at our Chesterfield based group, with an opportunity to assist in research towards our publications
- Free copies of all books we publish during the term of your membership
- The satisfaction that you are supporting meaningful and authoritative historical research in the county
- A chance to attend our annual general meeting with guest speaker.
To join us, print off and complete the Membership Application Form below or contact the Trust’s Membership Secretary and Treasurer, Cathrin Wharton, by email. Alternatively, you can make a donation through PayPal or by credit card using the button below.
We prefer subscriptions to paid by bank standing order, but we can accept single yearly payments of £60 or £120 by cheque to cover twelve monthly stakes of £5 or £10. Please email our treasurer for details on how to pay other than by standing order.
How it works – the VCH Trust
Work on the Victoria County History in Derbyshire has been funded since its inception in January 2002 by the Derbyshire VCH Trust, a voluntary body established in 2001. The Trust is a registered charity number 1098339.
In addition to its members’ subscriptions, the trust receives support from Derbyshire County Council, which is responsible for the Local Studies Libraries at Matlock, Chesterfield and across the county, the Derbyshire Record Office and the Derbyshire Museum Service. Several other local authorities in the county have also supported the trust with grants and subscriptions.
The easiest way to contribute to the work of the Derbyshire VCH Trust is to join us – see above for details.
The Trust holds an annual general meeting, to which the officers report and which elects both the officers and a committee that meets about four times a year. The AGM, held in the summer of each year, is combined with a public lecture by a leading local historian. Trust members also receive issues of our electronic newsletter (which can also be supplied as a hard copy).
Since the autumn of 2002 the Trust has arranged a series of volunteer research groups. These are based at Chesterfield Library, working on aspects of the history of north-eastern Derbyshire. Contact our County Editor – Philip Riden for further details.
The County Editor can also give talks to local history societies and other organisations about our work. Additionally, Mr Riden can speak about current research on the history of parishes in north-eastern Derbyshire and elsewhere.
The Trust is very keen to involve as many individuals and groups interested in local and family history in Derbyshire as possible in its work.
How it works – the monthly prize draw
Since 1998 the Trust’s main fund-raising effort has been a monthly prize draw. Members make a small regular payment (either £5 or a multiple) into a pool. From this about one-sixth of the receipts are paid out as a cash prize each month. At present, with about 200 members, the prize is £100. This payment is effectively the member subscription, but entry into the prize draw is not mandatory.
The monthly draw is a simple way of raising money. It means we do not rely on one-off donations from a limited circle of private and corporate sponsors. Nor do we expect local authorities to meet the whole cost of our work. Through its monthly draw the trust has secured the support of a large number of individuals interested in local and family history in Derbyshire. And they also have a chance of winning a meaningful cash prize.
The draw also provides the Trust with a regular flow of money. This helps to meet our regular out-goings such as research costs. The more members we have the more progress we can make.
There are other ways in which you can help us with research activities. See our Get Involved page for further information.
Page last updated 13 April 2024.