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It was David Taylor's early passion for local history that led him to research the history of the now internationally famous eighteenth century landscape garden at Painshill. David's articles in the local press helped to create public interest in this then neglected national treasure. On creation of the Painshill Park Trust, David became one of the first Trustees and he continues to serve on the Trust's Board of Management.
David Taylor also serves on the Council of the Surrey Archaeological Society and is Honorary Local Secretary for the Cobham area. He was a founder member of the Esher District Local History Society and is now its President.
A particular interest in the 17th century has led David to make a study of the life and times of Gerrard Winstanley and the Diggers, a nationally important revolutionary group which sprang up in the area at the time of the English Revolution. He is currently involved in a project to creation a permanent memorial to Winstanley and his followers in the Borough of Elmbridge.
David Taylor is also a member of the Domestic Buildings Research Group (Surrey) and works as an advisor to Cobham's Conservation Group, which has oversight of conservation areas in Church Cobham, Tilt Cobham, and Downside.
In addition to David Taylor's local interests, he is deeply involved in charitable work in Romania. He helped found the locally based Cobham Romania Aid (now Heart For Romania) in 1990 and he currently works for a charity pioneering hospice work in Romania.
David Taylor has written seven books on the history of Cobham as well as contributing to a variety of other publications such as the Surrey Archaeological Society Collections and Country Life magazine. His publications to date are:
The Book of Cobham (1982), The People of Cobham - The Pyports Connection (1985), Cobham In Camera (1986), Cobham Characters (1997) Cobham Houses and Their Occupants (1999), Gerrard Winstanley in Elmbridge (2000) and Downside - Another Look (2000).
David has also contributed to:
Alexander
Raby, Ironmaster (Surrey Industrial History Group) (2000)
Winstanley and the Diggers (Frank Cass) (2000)
David Taylor is available to help with any enquiries relating to the history
of Cobham; its buildings and past residents. A charge of £75 per
half day is made (excluding out of pocket expenses). David has full access
to the local Elmbridge Museum, the Surrey History Centre at Woking, the
Public Record Office at Kew, and the British Library in London.