Harris Magazine Digitisation Fundraiser

We are very fortunate to be the custodians of all fourteen volumes of the C&T Harris Magazine that was published monthly between January 1927 and June 1940.

 

We would now like to digitise this collection to ensure its survival for all future generations of our Calne community and we're asking for you help in raising some of the funds for this significant project.

 

Having the magazines available in digital format would make over 3800 pages of local history content accessible in a searchable format for members of the public.

 

If funding is successful then the project would output PDF format documents with text recognition applied.

 

We would make these available via our website for members of the public to download. We could also use the material for sharing seasonal and timely content to our social media accounts, further increasing the awareness of the company that, at one time, employed thousands of people in Calne.

 

Each magazine is a treasure trove of information with entries over thirteen years from various places in England including Dunmow, Highbridge, Chippenham (Wiltshire), Eastleigh, Leeds, Redruth, Totnes, and many others – making it not just a local resource for Calne, but a national and unique resource.

 

Importantly, each magazine includes an entry by Sir John Bodinnar (1895-1958), who came to Calne to work for C. & T. Harris and in 1917 became the managing director. Not only did he vastly expand the company, but during the Second World War, he was Commercial Secretary and Head of Supply Department, Ministry of Food, 1941-45. He was Commercial Adviser to the Ministry of Food in 1946, and President of the Food Manufacturers Federations between 1947-49.

 

Entries discuss the C&T Harris business, including supplies, distribution, and customers. He talks about the problems of the industry, along with potential solutions. Taking this over the thirteen years the magazine was published, this provides a unique insight into the thoughts and business acumen of an individual that held very high positions in Government, while still being the Managing Director of C&T Harris during the era that it grew vastly in size.

 

 

 

Please help to secure the long term survival of this important collection of the Harris Magazine - the only complete collection that we know to exist.

 

Keep checking this fundraiser page for updates and new content from the magazines.

 

Thank you for your time.

 

 

PS. Please know that if we are fortunate enough to raise more money than we need for this project, the money will go towards other Calne heritage projects.