The greatest record of modern life ever compiled

FONTMELL Magna Village Archive Society's 9th exhibition which runs from 8th-12th August includes what has been described as one of Britain's most important and unusual diarie. Starting only sporadically in 1947 and now comprising four million words, an astonishing 33,000 photos and illustrations in 151, 3kg volumes, the more recent diary is a day-by-day record of 36 years in the life of Fontmell resident John Gadd, who co- founded the Village Archive Society in 1987. A selection of volumes will be available for visitors to look through. In past times many diarists had the time to sketch and paint to add interest to their record," says Mr Gadd. "After a few months it then became an `Omnium Gatherum` in which anything which takes my fancy is pasted in to add to the thousands of photos I take of life around me.