King Edward VII memorial service

One of our weblog readers has sent us a photocopy of the order of service for a memorial to King Edward VII held in the Wesleyan Church presumably Tarporley. The lady found it in her late father's papers. Her father was the Rev Harold Leah Swindells, the Congregational minister at Farndon, Barton & Tattenhall. Click on order of service to see this document.  

So just out of the blue, we have a little piece of history from just before the First World War. The lady would is very happy to pass this on for safe keeping. Any suggestions?

BALH e_Newsletter

Bob Welch reminds us that our Society is a member of the British Association of Local History (BALH). The BALH has just started to publish their newsletter on-line. Please follow this link BALH newsletter March 2104 to see a fascinating set of articles.

Thursday 27 March - Change to programme

There is a change to our programme for 27th March. John Hess from the Cheshire Local History Society will be giving us an illustrated talk about George Ormerod the historian and author of 'The history of the county palatine and city of Chester.' As John lives in Ormerod's old home we think that this will be a particularly interesting and personal account of his life and work.

The Piper's Tale 27th February

A dry summary of Tom Hughes' talk would say how Tom described the development of bagpipes, from ancient times in Mesopotamia, across Europe to modern Cheshire makers, and their place in social history, particularly in medieval Cheshire, and with some examples of live music.

A more accurate summary would be to say how the audience were educated and entertained by someone with an obvious enthusiasm for this historic instrument. Tom tells a good tale, well illustrated by a range of bagpipes and traditional tunes. One won't forget Tom simultaneously playing and dancing, bringing Breughel's merry peasants to life in Tiverton. What was intriguing were the references to bagpipes in Cheshire. The county has a wealth of examples particularly Cathedral and Church carvings. The evening also somewhat put to bed the myth that Scotland is the only place for bagpipes.