Support for Tarporley British Legion

Tarporley Allotments Society are organising a fund-raising event for the local British Legion. Mark Bevan (a regular speaker at TB&DHS) will be talking about the history of Oulton Park and memories of Cotebrook on Friday, 1st February, 7:45 at the Legion. Tickets will be available from the Legion, Tarporley DIY, Swaffields or organiser Ken Warburton (732598).
Please come along and support this good cause.

Chester Castle 13 December

The dozen or so Society members who braved Christmas shoppers and the weather were warmly welcomed by Major John Ellis at Chester Castle. Highlights of the morning were conducted tours of the Cheshire Military Museum and Agricola's Tower. A visit thoroughly enjoyed by all.

For others, like myself, who couldn't make this outing, I recommend the Museums' website to see what you missed.

22 November 'Maps of Cheshire'

These days, we take maps for granted. With the internet and tools like Google maps, we can quickly find and view places anywhere in the world from the comfort of our homes. Jonathan Pepler, recently retired as head of Cheshire Record Office, gave us an insight into a time when maps were just starting to evolve. He described the development of maps from 16th to 19th centuries, showing examples of early British and Cheshire maps. Jonathan also introduced us to the first map makers such as Christopher Saxton and Cheshire born John Speed. Much of the initial detailed surveying was sponsored by landowners wanting to define their estates.
One significant historical event was the publication of 'Tithe Maps' in the early/mid 18th century. These maps were produced to show the owners and occupiers of land in English and Welsh parishes as part of the change from paying tithes in produce to paying in cash. Pioneering work has been carried out by Cheshire Records Office to make the Cheshire tithe maps available online as a resource to the public and historians. Please visit Tithe maps for a fascinating browse.

Getting to know the Record Office

The October meeting of our society took place as usual at the Tiverton Village room on 25th, the fourth Thursday  in the month. Our speaker was Lisa Greenhalsh from the Cheshire Record Office and her talk with powerpoint presentation was entitled, “Getting to know the Record Office”. All of us, including those who use the record Office extensively found it most interesting and helpful, and could recommend her and her talk to anybody. She portrayed the Office  as a truly massive store of knowledge and we all learned much about how to use that facility.
Doug Haynes

A new season starts

The Society's 2012/13 season started on 27 Sept with Mark Bevan telling us about Tarporley races. As usual Mark gave a polished talk explaining how horse racing first started locally in the late 17th century on a course to the south of Delamere forest. From the mid 18th century, races were organised by the Cheshire Hunt and took place on land north of Cotebrook. In the 19th century, the race course moved to Rode St, Tarporley, on what is now the Tarporley Tractors site. Mark painted a picture of wealthy horse owners, young bloods, extravagant wagers, crowds streaming to the race days and all the fun of the fair. Sadly this all came to an end in 1939 when the course was requistioned by the army and later turned into a prisoner of war camp.

Welcome to our new season

Sadly it seems that summer (what summer?) is finally coming to an end. So as the nights draw in, it must be the start of the Society's new season. The first talk, to be held at 7:30 pm on Thursday 27th September at Tiverton Village Hall, will be Mark Bevan telling us about 'Tarporley Races'. Everyone welcome.

See the Events page for the full year's programme.

At the meeting we will also launch our research project on local schools. We are starting to compile a list of active and closed schools. See Schools Project page for more details.

Chester Town Hall 28 June

The Society enjoyed its summer (well it wasn't raining that much) outing going around Chester Town Hall. Although I've been walking past the building for the last  40+ years and although I've been to the occasional function there, this was my first opportunity to explore inside a Victorian town hall. We were very lucky to have Doug Haynes, our chairman and a former Lord Mayor himself, to show us around. Doug could not only to tell us about the building but he could also explain the changing political fortunes of the city. Chester has declined from the centre of a palatine controlling one quarter of England to now a partner in CW&C. I was impressed by the scale of the building, by its largely original state, and the size and decoration of the rooms. I came away wondering however what next for this marvellous building, stripped of its original function, and somehow lost in time.

To round the visit off, we enjoyed a leisurely meal in another historic building, the Cathedral refectory. Many thanks to Doug for his organisation and guidance.

For those further interested, try these links.

History of Chester.

Chester Town Hall

And for far better photos than I took photos

Schools Research Project

I have updated the 'Schools project' page (click tab at top). Please see what we are starting to do.

Cheshire History Day

The Cheshire Local History Society (of which TB&DHS is a member) is holding its annual History Day on Saturday 27 October in the Northwich Memorial Hall. The theme this year is "Hard at Work in Cheshire". Details of this event can be found on their website: follow link.

Tickets are limited and early application is advised. Application forms can be found on their website or by telephoning the Association's Chester Offices on 01244 972559

A Spurstow family

I've just had a query from an Alex Perry who is researching a family named Hewitt who kept a store in Spurstow from late Victorian times. Do we have any members who live or lived in Spurstow?  Alex would be grateful for any help. Alex can be contacted on vitoria1813@yahoo.co.uk.

History of Local Schools

As introduced at the AGM (see below), the Society has decided to carry out a pilot project and do some research into local history. The topic we have chosen is the "History of Local Schools".

We are looking for volunteers to help with this project. We want to:

• Set up a small project committee to meet occasionally over the summer to set up some guidelines for a formal launch at the September meeting.
• Have a brief update at each monthly meeting.
• Report our findings at next year's AGM.
• Use the web to share information

The "Schools Project" page will have more details.

Please contact me (paul.bujac@virgin.net) or any committee member to find out more and hopefully to volunteer.

Visit to Chester Town Hall 28 June

Doug Haynes has kindly organised our summer outing on Thursday June 28. This will be a morning visit and tour of Chester Town Hall. We meet at the Town Hall at 10:30. 

Provisional arrangements have been made for lunch in the Cathedral Refectory. The Refectory are offering a 2 course meal for £10 provided they have at least 20 diners.

Please let Doug Haynes (dhaynes@gotadsl.co.uk or 771400) if you would like to join us for lunch.

The AGM

This post briefly summarises the AGM held on 24 May. Formal minutes will be available later.

Main points:

• Doug Haynes reviewed the talks and outings held during the year
• Ann Wall presented the minutes of the last AGM
• Bob Welch reported a healthy £800+ bank balance and it was agreed that the yearly subscription should remain at £10
• Di Carr presented the proposed programme of meetings for next year (see Events 2012/13 page)
• As no other nominations had been received, the existing committee was re-elected
• Paul Bujac introduced the Society's new research topic 'The History of Local Schools' (see separate post)

The meeting concluded with a video on 'The Meres and Mosses of South Cheshire and North Shropshire'.

Gentle reminder AGM 24 May

You should have received an email from Ann Wall inviting you to the AGM to be held on 24 May, 7:30 pm, Tiverton Village Hall. Apart from the formal agenda (document link), we hope to be introducing our ideas for a research study project for next year, and Doug will be showing a video on the Meres and Mosses of South Cheshire and North Shropshire.

We look forward to seeing all members.

Northwich and the River Weaver

Following on from our visit to Weaver Hall (Salt Museum) in December and Tony Bostock's talk on salt making, members should be interested in this talk by Colin Edmondson on June 14th. Details can be found by clicking on this link.

Thanks to Andrew Needham for pointing this out.

Recent talk on Salt Making

A brave band of members dodged the heavy rain showers for the last speaker of this year's programme. Tony Bostock told us about salt making in mid Cheshire. Tony took us back to the early origins in the Dark Ages, discussed Roman military works, but concentrated mainly on salt production in Northwich, Middlewich and Nantwich in medieval times. He described the manufacturing and trade, emphasising the complex local laws and customs that governed this business for several hundred years. Tony's interest and knowledge certainly reinforced what we had seen when the Society visited the Northwich Salt Museum (Weaver Hall) before Christmas.

Next Meeting 26 April: Salt Making in Cheshire

As someone who spent their working life in the Cheshire chemical industry, I am very conscious of the importance of the salt resources in mid Cheshire. The society is therefore very pleased to welcome Tony Bostock who will talk about the early history of salt production in Cheshire. Tony will focus on the way in which salt was produced in medieval times, particularly the customs, and the rules and regulations associated with the business.

Usual time 7:30: usual place Tiverton Village Hall. Non members always welcome.

While we are talking about salt, Andrew Needham has pointed out that CW&C have just  announced major support for the restoration of Lion Salt Works. This work, also funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, will restore a historic brine salt making plant near Northwich. Click on Lion Salt Works for their website.

Recent talk on Spinning

It's always rewarding when you listen to a speaker who is passionate about their subject. Val Bryant told us about her interest in spinning wheels. Born into a family with a long connection to the textile industry, Val has been spinning since a young child.  After retiring from the NT Styal Mill, she and her husband have been researching the history of spinning wheels and searching out wheels from all over the country. Val described the development of domestic spinning technology from Roman times to the early part of the 20th century. Her researches have taken from the Scottish  Islands through stately homes to Royal residences, from crofters' wheels to those owned by Queen Victoria. Her particular interest is in the different designs from different makers. Val demonstrated how to use  a wheel to turn carded wool into yarn. A craft which she made looked deceptively simple.

Val's husband David repairs and makes spinning wheels. See his website.

For those wanting to know more about this subject follow link.

Val also alerted us to events at her local Knutsford Heritage Centre. For example there is an display on the History of Booth's supermarket. Follow link for more details.

Next Meeting 22 March: Spinning through time

Valerie Bryant will be coming to talk to us about her fascination with the history of spinning and spinning wheels.Val has worked in textiles for over 30 years. She retired recently from the NT Quarry Bank Mill where she was textile co-ordinator. Val now runs 'Textile Twists'. She researches early spinning wheels and their makers, and has developed a database with information from country houses, museums and private individuals.

As usual 7:30 pm at Tiverton Village Hall. Non-members welcome.

Next year's programme

As Doug Haynes announced on Thursday, the Society committee is starting to prepare next year's programme. The committee would like to hear your views. Please let us know your ideas, whether for good speakers or whether for topics you would like to learn more about. You can add a comment to this post, or contact Doug or any other committee member (email or phone). Our contact details can be found on the 'Committee' page.

Sandstone Ridge Trust

Andrew Needham reminds that as well as the archeological studies being carried out on the hillforts, a charitable trust has been set up to protect and enhance the wildlife habitats and historic heritage on and around Cheshire's Sandstone Ridge. The Trust is looking for volunteers and Andrew notes the following from Councillor Eleanor Johnson, one of the trustees:

“The Trustees of the Sandstone Ridge Trust are keen to build on the work that the Habitats and Hillforts programme has delivered so successfully by protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment; improving public understanding and knowledge of the area and improving access to the beautiful Sandstone Ridge landscape.
“The Trustees are also keen to encourage volunteers from the local area who are interested in nature conservation and / or heritage in Cheshire to come forward with ideas for activities, to get involved with what's on or to be kept informed of future opportunities.”
 
The Sandstone Ridge Trust is proud to announce that it has recently been approved for charitable status by the Charity Commission. The new charitable organisation has been set up to protect and enhance the wildlife habitats and historic heritage on and around Cheshire's Sandstone Ridge. The Ridge stretches from Frodsham and Helsby in the north part of Cheshire West and Chester right down to Bickerton Village in the south of the Borough.
A group of six voluntary Trustees have worked together with the support of officers from Cheshire West and Chester Council over the last 18 months to build on the work of the Heritage Lottery Funded Habitats and Hillforts Programme. The landscape partnership scheme delivered by a number of organisations enabled a wide range of activities to take place over the last three years.

More details of the Trust's activities can be found on their website and they have just published a 'captured memories' book.

Recent talk on Hillforts

One of the measures of a good talk is the extent to which the speaker opens up new worlds to the audience.  Danny Garner, archaeology project leader with CW&C and a local resident, gave a fascinating insight into modern archaeology. Danny described the work being carried out to better understand the six hillforts that dot the 'sandstone ridge' from Frodsham south to Bickerton.  Surprisingly little is known about these ancient constructions. Field studies, using modern techniques such as LiDAR, have extended the knowledge from earlier 20th century excavations.  This  research has provided evidence that some of these sites were constructed and occupied from the Neolithic, through the Bronze and Iron Ages, and to medieval times. The sites are all found on high points and make use of natural escarpments which were then protected by stone and earth ramparts. The sites have not fared well over the years. The construction of Beeston Castle, farming, removal of stone for building, and even World War 2 training have caused much damage. Field studies have disappointingly found few artefacts and our understanding of the life and culture of the earlier occupants is still very limited. However Danny noted a recent discovery from Eddisbury. This site has been the most studied; it is close to a Roman road and several Roman items were found. The most relevant find has been a Roman Christian Chi-Rho copper 'coin'. This is the first example of Roman Christianity in Cheshire.

A well attended and illuminating talk. 

For those like me who were intrigued to learn of the different geophysical research techniques, the English Heritage site has some excellent articles.

Next meeting 23 February: Habitats and Hillforts

Our next talk will be given by Danny Garner who is the Archaeology Project Officer for CW&C's 'Hillforts and Habitats' initiative. These hillforts are iron age communities which are found along the sandstone ridge from Helsby to Maiden Castle. Danny will introduce us to the work that is being carried out both to understand the history and to enhance the natural habitats.

To whet the appetite please have a look at CW&C's excellent site 

Meeting as usual 7:30 pm in the Tiverton Village Hall. Non-members welcome.

The aims of this weblog

This weblog has been set up to:

• Act as a noticeboard  to publicise meetings and share news, and to be a point of contact for both members and visitors
• Allow feedback so members can comment (constructively) on events or add suggestions for Society activities
• Share information eg Society's publications, photographs, memories, references, links etc
• Support any projects eg research or education 

It will only be useful if people view and contribute. So comments please.

Minor updates

I've just made some minor changes to this blog. I've re-arranged the pages (those tabs across the top) and their content. I've put a link to the first journal the Society published (Publications tab) and I've added a page counter. This counter shows readers how many other people are viewing the site.

Please feel free to let me know your views on this blog, either by leaving a comment onto this post or emailing me directly.

Pots of Orchids

A reminder that the Cheshire Gardens Trust will be holding a lecture on Saturday 25 February, 10 for 10:30, in the Community Centre, Tarporley. The lecture is 'Pots of Orchids: The Spode-Bateman Connection' by Pam Woolliscroft.

Members should have had an email about this but more details can be found by following lecture link.
              Non-members are welcome but booking is essential

Habitats and Hillforts

Our next meeting (23 Feb) will be a talk on local hillforts and more details will follow nearer the date.

Andrew Needham has pointed out that a new Sandstone Ridge Trust has just received charitable status with support from CW&C (see last week's Chester Chronicle 26 Jan, p3).

Please follow Habitats and Hillforts link  for more information on this initiative to protect and enhance our local environment.

Lost Heritage - lost country houses

Whilst looking up about Oulton Park (following Mark Bevan's fascinating talk), I came across the following website Lost Heritage

The author (Matthew Beckett) is compiling a list of the lost country houses of England including many in Cheshire.

Oulton Park from 'Downton Abbey' to motor racing

It was very pleasing to welcome new members to a packed Tiverton Village Hall as the Society enjoyed a fascinating illustrated talk on  Oulton Park by local historian Mark Bevan. Mark's well crafted talk, brimming full of lively anecdotes, covered the history of the estate over the past few hundred years from the time when it was the home of the Egertons to the start of motor racing. Mark took the theme of the 'real life Downton Abbey' as he described the fortunes and tragedies of one of the wealthy aristocratic Cheshire families, the Grey-Egertons. During the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, the family had amassed considerable wealth and land, and had built a magnificent Palladian mansion full of priceless treasures. Tragedy struck during the first World War when twin sons were both killed on the Western Front and the dynasty was broken. Even more tragedy struck when the house itself was destroyed by fire and when 6 people (servants and a Tarporley fireman) died trying to recover the treasures. The derelict estate was requisitioned during the second World War to become a major US army post prior to D-day. Mark also described how, through the efforts of the local Mid-Cheshire car club, motor racing was first introduced in the 1953. An evening enjoyed by all.

For more on Mark's talks follow Mark Bevan

For more on modern Oulton Park follow circuit

For more on the history follow Wikipedia Oulton_Estate

A violent storm

Doug hopes this item will be of interest to members.

In this age when we would appear to be changing the world at large with the manner in which we live our lives, I bring to your attention this note  (link to note) of 1687, taken from the Cheshire Sheaf, a true wealth of information, purely out of interest, and from residents in those long gone days from the area of our TBDHS.

It is as written at that time and is not representative of my typing abilities!!!!.

(and just as another useless bit of info, he, the Sir John, is back in my family ancestry

Regards, Doug

Thanks

I am pleased so many people have responded to Ann's invitation to view this blog. The stats below show a healthy interest.

This blog is public; that is anyone can view it. Currently only committee members can add posts but I'm happy to allow any other Society members to contribute. You just need to email me. Anybody can add comments to a post, though you need to have a Google account or similar.

I will be at the next Society meeting on Thursday and I will be happy to answer any questions after the talk. In the meantime, email me at paul.bujac@virgin.net if you have any problems.

If you are interested in the mechanics of blogger go to blogger help

A Tarporley Photographer

One aim of this weblog is to share information. Bob Welch notes that last year the Society had a query from a Mr Ellis who contacted us after reading our first Journal. Bob's research resulted in this answer.

"As a collector of postcards of the Bunbury/ Tarporley area I am well aware of the man and I have quite a lot of his postcards in my collection.

Anyway Frederick Harold Haines ( usually referred to as Harold ) was the only son of Frederick Haines and his wife Jane.He was born in Yorkshire and his birth was registered in Selby in 1876.

His father was a Wesleyan Minister and so moved around the country in the course of his ministry. In the 1881 Census the family were living at Leftwich, Northwich. So far I can't find him in the 1891 Census but in 1901 he is recorded as living in Edgbaston,Birmingham as an Ironmongers Assistant.

However, within a few years  he was living in Tarporley as a Photographer. Although mainly a portrait photographer, he also produced postcards for sale from about 1904 onwards. Most of his postcard photos were of the area within a few miles of Tarporley although he also produced a series of North Wales around Flint and Denbighshire".

In the 1911 Census he is living at 29, Eaton Road, Tarporley with his widowed mother and an unmarried sister.

He later produced series of postcards. One series was called the "Beeston " Series and another the "Clovelly" Series named after his art studio at the Eaton Road address.

As far As I can find out he never married and died in 1945.

Now to the picture "Glyndwr Hotel". After consulting a friend who is a dealer and something of an expert in N.Wales postcards we came to the conclusion that it was probably in the Mold, Flintshire area. Further enquiries showed that the Hotel is in fact the Owain Glyndwr Inn at Gwernymynydd, Mold, an establishment that is still in business today.

According to a pictorial history of the village http://www.gwernymynydd.co.uk/Gwernymynydd_Book.pdf  the year was 1938 and they were expecting the visit of the Duke of Kent to come and open a wooden hostel for unemployed men from Liverpool. (The area, especially Loggerheads and Moel Fammau has been attracting visitors and walkers for years.) Apparently at the last minute the Duke had to go to a funeral and so in the end never visited the area."

A welcome and a reminder

Welcome to this new weblog which the Society hopes will help publicise its activities.

A reminder: Our next meeting will be a talk given by Mark Bevan on the 'The Egertons of Oulton Park'.

Usual place: Tiverton Village Hall

Usual time: 7:30 pm