British Home Children in Birmingham ……September 14th to the 22nd ….. one for the diary

Now I collect local history societies, even if I am too far away to attend.

And of course, become quite excited when they feature stories of British Home Children.

So, I was especially pleased to read a post from Marion Crawford, whose Canadian Facebook* site advertised the Lost Children Exhibition in Birmingham organized by the Balsall Heath Local History Society, from September 14th through to September 22nd. **

It looks fascinating, and has a personal resonance for me, because both my grandfather and one of his brothers was born in Birmingham, and later it was the Birmingham based Middlemore Society which took that brother across the Atlantic on behalf of the Derby Union.

So, the exhibition has a personal dimension and is a nice twist that a Birmingham event, was publicized by a Canadian BHC site, and has come home with it being posted on our own British Home …… the story from Britain. ***


Location Birmingham


* Middlemore Atlantic Society

**Balsall Heath Local History Society, http://balsallheathhistory.co.uk/

*** British Home  …… the story from Britain

A Tour of The Torrs ....... tomorrow ...... one not to miss

Now I am always impressed by Furness Vale History Society and have long had a soft spot for them.

Their programme of talks is varied and their blog posts always interesting,

So here is their September event with a link to that blog spot.

And on a personal note, they were one of the first societies to offer me a spot way back in 2012 to talk about Chorlton-cum-Hardy in the early 19th century.

So try and get along to A Tour of The Torrs, with geologist, Dr Pete Webb who describes a visit to this spectacular New Mills feature.

Leaving me just an announcement from the group that, “the large (Rotational Mouldings) car park is now open each evening from 7pm.  Access is alongside the Soldier Dick public house.  The small car park alongside the Community Centre will also soon be available for visitor's use”.

*Furness Vale History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.com/

Memories of Furness Vale by Mabel Townend. ....... one for the new year

The next meeting of Furness Vale History Society is on Tuesday 3rd January at 7.30pm. 

The meeting is at Furness Vale Community Centre, Yeardsley Lane.

Admission is £2 including refreshments. Mabel Townend, a former village schoolteacher, tells a fascinating story of life in Furness Vale over the past 80 years.

The poster features Rheuben Bennet the village yeast dealer and Mabel Townend's grandfather.

Rheuben sold yeast door to door in neighbouring villages and also ran a nursery business growing tomatoes and flowers.

Location; Furnes Vale

Picture; courtesy of Furnes Vale History Society

*Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

Rose Queens, Furness Vale and a clue to a date

Now this I reckon will open up a debate.

We are at the Furness Vale Rose Queen event sometime before 1968, and the pictures and story are from the Furness Vale Local History Society.*

I always enjoy their newsletter and when I can I try to get up there for the meetings.

This month the edition contains a fascinating account of Ollerenshaw farm which is an ongoing research project** and that account of the Rose Queen Procession.***

And it was the pictures of the old lorries that drew me into the Rose Queen story.

These celebrations pop up all over the place and the regularly turn up here on the blog. ****

But today I want to concentrate on the Furness procession, because here is a wonderful bit of local history.

It starts with the lorries which for me take me back fifty years.

And then it is the names on the sides of the vehicles which bring back lost businesses and one at least is a clue to the date of the event.

But that I will leave you to find out by following the link and reading the story.

Of course in the interests of historical debate it would be fun to see how many people come in with a suggestion of a date for the event based on those lorries.

We shall see.

Pictures; courtesy of Furness vale Local History Society

*Furness vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

**Ollerneshaw Farm, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/ollerenshaw-farm.html


***Furness Vale Rose Queen,
http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/furness-vale-rose-queen.html

****The Rose Queen, http://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/The%20Rose%20Queen

Passionate about local history

Eltham in 1909

Now I collect local history groups, in fact I hoover them up, avidly signing up to their newsletters mentioning them on the blog and where practical going to the meetings.

And it is because I just don’t think you can get enough local history.

After all when it comes down to it for most of us where we live is important and making sense of what happened  in the past helps understand how the place has developed.

Of course there are  the sniffy historians who mumble on about parish pump events and the need to see the bigger picture, but the bigger picture always ends at the bottom of your road, whether it’s the closure of the local factory during a depression, or the very real and personal conflict of conscience when them at the top decide that it would be better if we followed a Protestant Prayer Book and attended a church devoid of holy pictures.

And it is the local and the family historians who often unearth the evidence that either confirms or rubbishes the great sweep of history theory.

North Cray, © J.D.Gammon

So all of this is to introduce two new ones, the Eltham Society and the North Cray Residents Association.*

Now I rather suspect the secretaries of both will rightly say “we have got on very well for the last x number of years without this Northern chap writing about us,” which is perfectly true but won’t stop me.

The Eltham Society was founded in1965 which was the year after we washed up in the place, although I have to confess with a hint of embarrassment that I only joined this year.  But in my defence I was 14 in 1964, left Eltham for Manchester five years later and only felt that I could start writing about its history recently.

North Cray beat it by 21 years having been set up in the March of 1944 which strikes me as a bit odd given the titanic sweep of history that was going on at the time.  But then the very idea that people could be thinking about the future at such a time appeals to the optimist in me.

The Tudor Barn, Well Hall © Scott MacDonald

And takes me back to that simple idea that if you like somewhere you will want to keep it nice, watch carefully the developments a foot and judge those changes by what has gone on before which fits with Eltham’s  “Preserving the Past, Conserving the Present, Protecting the Future.”

Often the history side grows out of what was a residents association or in our case a Civic Society.

All too often I chose to dismiss them, falling back on the ignorant prejudice that here were a group of penny pinching hard faced zealots unwilling to spend for the common good or wrapped up in arcane practises.

Nor is this so far from the mark in the late 19th century.  Our own Chorlton Residents Association was quick to scrutinise the profligate actions of local government, but then they also campaigned for the provision of better education, sanitation, public libraries and street lighting, all of which I approve of.**

So yet again history is messy, which just leaves me to suggest you explore the history sections of their web sites.

* The Eltham Society http://www.theelthamsociety.org.uk/ and the  North Cray Residents Association http://www.northcrayresidents.org.uk/

** “exercising a rigorous protest against extravagance” ......... The Chorlton Ratepayers Association 1877-?
http://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/exercising-rigorous-protest-against_12.html

Picture; The Kings Arms from The story of Royal Eltham, R.R.C. Gregory, 1909 and published on The story of Royal Eltham, http://www.gregory.elthamhistory.org.uk/ Footscray courtesy of J.D.Gammon, and the Tudor Barn, courtesy of Scott McDonald

Discovering something new about Victorian Churches at Furness Vale on February 3rd

Now I was pleased when Neil told me he had made the long journey by bike to Furness Vale to hear one of the talks put on by the history society and even more that he enjoyed the presentation along with the nearby restaurant I suggested he tried.

So I hope that he will be suitably inspired to catch the next one which will be on Victorian Church Buildings in the North West on February 3rd.

But if like me that will not be possible I recommend their newsletter.*

*Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

One to do ............ The Peak Forest Canal talk tomorrow at Furnes Vale

Now canals have always had a special fascination for me and I reckon the talk at Furness Vale History society on the Peak Forest Canal System promises to be a good one.

The illustrated talk will be at Furness Vale Community Centre, Yeardsley Lane, on Tuesday January 6 at 7.30.

Non members are always welcome and admission is £1.50 including refreshments.

*Furness Vale History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

Leaving Stockport because of Mr Hitler

Now I rather wish I could get to the talk on the Evacuated Schools in Wartime Stockport tomorrow at Furness Vale by Gillian Mawson.

It promises to be an interesting one.

Ms Mawson has written extensively about the impact of the Second World War on the North West  and as well as Guernesy.

As usual, we meet at Furness Vale Community Centre, Yeardsley Lane at 7.30pm. Admission is £1. 50 including refreshments.**

The Community centre is just a short walk from the railway station and past some interesting pubs.  So if like me you manage to get to Furness vale early there are always places to pass the time till 7.30.








* Gillian Mawson, http://guernseyevacuees.wordpress.com/about/ 

**Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

One for the diary ........ the Evacuated Schools in Wartime Stockport December 2 Furness Vale

Now I rather wish I could get to the talk on the Evacuated Schools in Wartime Stockport tomorrow at Furness Vale by Gillian Mawson.

It promises to be an interesting one.

Ms Mawson has written extensively about the impact of the Second World War on the North West  and as well as Guernesy.

As usual, we meet at Furness Vale Community Centre, Yeardsley Lane at 7.30pm. Admission is £1. 50 including refreshments.**

The Community centre is just a short walk from the railway station and past some interesting pubs.

So if like me you manage to get to Furness Vale early there are always places to pass the time till 7.30.

And the trains back to city run late.


* Gillian Mawson, http://guernseyevacuees.wordpress.com/about/ 

**Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

Tonight at Furness Vale stories of Manchester’s printing history

Geoff Wild "will talk about 'My life in print', ........... a story of the newspaper business in Manchester including the history of publishing and printing in the City together with anecdotes about working in the industry.*

Furness Vale Local History Society. Furness Vale Community Centre 7.30pm. Admission £1.50"

*Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

A story of the newspaper business in Manchester ...... at Furness Vale Local History Society, October 7

Now I never tire of mentioning Furness Vale Local History Society.*

They meet very close to the station and the trip out from Piccadilly by train is a pleasant one.  Added to that there are some interesting pubs between the where you get off and the community centre.

So if I can I shall try and get along to the next meeting, on Monday October 7th when Geoff Wild "will talk about 'My life in print', ........... a story of the newspaper business in Manchester including the history of publishing and printing in the City together with anecdotes about working in the industry. Furness Vale Local History Society. Furness Vale Community Centre 7.30pm. Admission £1.50"

*Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

The hand that signed the paper ........ stories of a Regicide, visions of the future and Marple Hall

Every so often people on social networks ask that question “if you could meet anyone in history who would it be?”

Now I try to avoid the question because there are just so many individuals ranging from the great and good, the not so good and of course members of my own family.

But I have to confess that I am intrigued by John Bradshaw the English judge who as President of the High Court of Justice presided over the trial of King Charles and whose signature topped the death warrant.

The English Civil War has always fascinated me not least because in the middle of the war representatives of the army met and debated the future of England.*

Reading the discussions there is something very modern about the position of Colonel Rainsborough who argued that “... the poorest he that is in England hath a life to live, as the greatest he; and therefore truly, Sir, I think it's clear, that every man that is to live under a government ought first by his own consent to put himself under that government; and I do think that the poorest man in England is not bound in a strict sense to that government that he hath not had a voice to put himself under...”

And this in turn reminded me of the Forces Parliaments which took place in the British Army in India and Egypt during the Second World War.  The Cairo Forces Parliament met in February 1944 and voted for the nationalization of the banks, land, mines and transport.

In their way it replicated those debates three hundred years earlier where the men who were fighting debated the future they wanted.

But unlike the Forces Parliament which saw much of what they voted for come to reality after the election of the Labour Government in 1945 the expectations of many of the 17th century progressives, and visionaries came to nought in the face of Royal repression.

And this was seen not only in the way that some of those who fought for Parliament were treated but extended to the exhumation of the bodies of leading members of the Commonwealth who had died before 1660, including John Bradshaw whose bits were put on public display.

Now this much I knew but until recently had never come across the home of John Bradshaw which was in Marple, and which we came across at the end of a long walk on a hot spring day.

That said if you want to know more then you can either visit the excellent web site Marple Hall,** or take a trip out to Furness Vale and join the Furness Vale Historical Society listen to Neil Mullineux present a virtual history of the Hall on Tuesday September 2nd at 7.30 in the Community Centre Yeardsley Lane.***

Picture; advertising poster

*The Putney Debates, http://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/The%20Putney%20Debates

**Marple Hall, http://www.marple-uk.com/Hall.htm

***Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

One for the diary, the History of the Coop, the talk at Furness Vale on May 6

Now there was a time when most places had their own Co-op shop and until the mergers of the middle and late 20^th centuries there were plenty of different societies, some larger than other others but all committed to the concept of co-operation.

In Chorlton there was one on Beech Road, two at various times near to the Four Banks and up by Hardy Lane another.

And in Furness Vale until it was merged with Whaley Bridge Co-op, they had their own society in with just one shop.

The original store which closed in the 1970's is now the Imperial Palace Chinese Restaurant.

So given that Furness could offer its own little bit of cooperation, the local history society is telling the story of the movement with guest speaker Gillian Lonergan of the National Co-operative Archives.

I freely admit that Furness Vale is tad far from Chorlton, but that has not stopped me from heading out there.  There is after all a good train connection and the Community Centre is not far from the station. 

And if like me you have a tendency to misread the timetable and arrive early there is a choice of pubs and that Chinese Restaurant which just happens to be beside the Community Centre and was once he Co-op.

Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

Down in Furness Vale with a colliery and a pantomime

Time to mention Furness Vale Local History Society again.*

I collect history societies and while I can’t always get to their meetings I relish reading what they are doing, what is currently being researched and just a little bit about their history.

Like all societies they have a programme of events and a blog which features stories from the area.

And I was caught by this one on "Furness Clough Colliery, the Brickworks and the canal wharf which were all linked by a narrow gauge tramway.  There is no record of the date of construction although it was certainly in existence in 1810."**

Now if you want to know more you’d better follow the link at the bottom and in the meantime if you live in the area why not go to their January Meeting on Victorian Pantomime in Manchester.



*Furness Vale Local History Society http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

****http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/r-e-knowles-siding.html

In Furness Vale, three stories of a small Derbyshire village

There  are some nice stories on Furness Vale local history site at present.

I was up there giving a talk on Chorlton in the 1840's last month.

Like us it was a small village but given its position never grew remaining a little community of about 2,000 people but it supports a fine local history society.

This week’s crop includes an insight into the local Sunday school in the 195os, a wonderful collection of photographs of a local who died in France in 1916 and an advert for Ferodo in 1943.

Well worth a look.

http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/sunday-school-anniversaries.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+FurnessValeLocalHistorySociety+(FURNESS+VALE+LOCAL+HISTORY+SOCIETY)

http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/jim-mycock.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+FurnessValeLocalHistorySociety+(FURNESS+VALE+LOCAL+HISTORY+SOCIETY)

In Furness Vale

One of the nice things about leaving your comfort zone is how rewarding it can be.

So last night I accepted the invitation of the Furness Vale Local History Society and did a talk.

I have to be honest and admit that alighting from the train at Furness Vale Station was daunting. It was cold, wet and pretty empty.  But the company and staff at the Soldier Dick were welcoming and David my host at the Society made me feel at home.

And that was just the start.  On that wet very unpromising night nearly 30 people had turned which for a community of about a thousand people is not bad going.  And the added bonus was that my old pal Joe, came over from Disley to join in.

Now I have written about the society already and I am always impressed by the variety of their activities, and publications, ranging from a collection of historical photographs, a new book on the print works and a very interesting blog. http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2013-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2014-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=3

For anyone like me interested in history there is always something exciting about local groups who want to share their common history, exploring the memories, lives and landscape of where they live.

I rather think I will be going back to Furness Vale to enjoy some of their events.

Pictures; from the collection of Furness Vale Local History Society

The Marple Local History Society

Well I do seem to be picking up historical groups and today I came across The Marple Local History Society passed on to me by David from Furness Vale

“The Society was formed in 1961, following almost a decade of interest in local history matters. Originally called The Marple Antiquarian Society, it changed its name to The Marple Local History Society in 1990. The Society is a Registered Charity, 500099.

The Society is dedicated to the recording of the past and present of Marple – including Mellor, Compstall, Marple Bridge, Strines, Rose Hill, Hawk Green and High Lane.
We hold monthly meetings between September and April with speakers giving talks on subjects both local and from a wider area. Several field trips are held each year, usually with a connection to one or more of the talks.

The Society holds extensive archives of local and regional interest and is constantly adding to them. Many of these items are donated by local people but some arrive from as far away as the USA. We aim to preserve and protect these items and provide information to both local and wider communities. The archives are stored at Mellor Parish Centre, Church Road, Mellor SK6 5LX”*

So there you have it.  Its site also includes a virtual tour of Marple, which must be worth a look.

*http://www.marplelocalhistorysociety.org.uk/#

Picture; from their web site, I hope they don’t mind.  I usually ask but just this once haven’t had time.

Back with the Furness Vale Local History Society

One of the things that really excites me is the way small groups of local people get together to explore the history of their own community.

At one time they may have been sniffed at by serious historians as the tea time brigade, those retired and well meaning individuals with time on their hands and an over enthusiasm for all things parish pump.

But as my old friend Ian Meadowcroft often repeats these are the very people who not only make local history come alive but often are the ones who dig up and re-present vital information which feeds into the big picture that the so called serious historian writes about.

They are there in village, town and city suburb, collecting photographs, rescuing neglected documents and explaining how a building or an occupation is part of the local story and feeds into that big one.

And so today I am back with the Furness Vale Local History Society and their latest newsletter,* which is not only packed with some very interesting local activities and links but also mentions me and the blog, so come on down Furness.

Now I won’t spoil the voyage of discovery but in the light of what I have just said would point you to the link to a picture archive of New Mills.**  For most of us the old photograph is the first entry into a lost world and one which instantly helps open up the past, and then once drawn in it is the job of  local historians to make sense of that picture and give it meaning.

So enough of the serious stuff, go off and read the newsletter and get to see them.

Picture; courtesy of the Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/

* https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B85zleAY9rpbeEVPZlJlTXhPRjQ/edit
** http://www.picturenewmills.org.uk/index.php

The Furness Vale Local History Society

It’s always nice to be recognised and yesterday The Furness Vale Local History Society http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/ told their members of my blog and I want to return the favour.  
Furness Vale is a village in the High Peak between New Mills and Whalley Bridge. The society  hold an archive of documents, maps and photographs of the area and hold meetings on the first Tuesday of each month except July and August. A guest speaker usually presents an illustrated talk of local or regional interest. Membership is available at an annual fee of £5. For further information contact George Tomlinson 01663 742440.

Now I know Furness Vale.  It is another of those places that canal, road and a railway come together.  The High Peak Canal which was begun in 1794, completed in 1805 and connected Ashton Under Lyne with Buxworth while the railway came through fifty or so years later.  I guess at that period it would have had a similar feel to it as our township.

Pictures;  The recent and forthcoming programme of events of The Furness Vale Local History Society and detail from Bradshaw’s Canal maps 1830, courtesy of Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/