Godalming Museum curator Alison Pattison pays tribute to two champions of local history.

Godalming has lost two irreplaceable local historians, and the museum two much-loved friends and volunteers, with the recent deaths of John Janaway and John Young.

John Janaway was for many years Surrey's Local Studies Librarian. He wrote numerous books about the county's history, including Godalming: A Short History and Godalming and Farncombe Pubs and Breweries.

His expertise ranged through geology, archaeology, social history and natural history, and the museum was enriched by his involvement in so many ways, from cataloguing and displaying fossils, bottles and archaeological finds to instigating the Witley at War community archaeology project.

John Young volunteered in the museum's local studies library, where his encyclopaedic knowledge of local history was invaluable.

A life-long local resident, he started his working life at Godalming Laundry and then worked for many years for David Fry's building company.

For over 20 years he was the museum's volunteer building manager, and so much at the museum bears witness to his craftsmanship and skill.

In 2012 John was made the first Honorary Freeman of Godalming Town for his outstanding contribution to community life.

Both men were passionate about investigating and recording the history of the town and its people, and shared their knowledge with generosity and infectious enthusiasm. Their talks, publications and just general conversation gave pleasure to so many and informed and inspired researchers.

If you are looking for a lockdown project, how about investigating and recording your own history?

Each one of us living and working in Godalming today has a story about how we got here. Get out those old photos and record who is in them and when and where they were taken. Contact older family members and ask them questions. Contact younger ones and tell them stories, and ask what questions they want answered. It's an absorbing study and may take you to some surprising places.

You might be inspired to make a sound recording, create a work of art, a family album, a quilt or an illustrated family tree, or even write a book, who knows?

Do get in touch with the museum via our Facebook page or via email if we may be able to help.

Perhaps, beyond the pandemic, we could hold a history open day to share the results of your research. It would be an appropriate way to honour the memory and legacy of two remarkable men.