No Rest for the Wicked Thursday 26th February

Our next talk will be given by Vivienne Derricutt.

This talk covers all aspects of the life, loves and hardships of women in the 17th Century. The Talk starts with birth and all the trials and tribulations which women endured in order to bring new life into the world, through infancy, childhood, adolescence, the marriage market, beauty, fashion and concludes with the expectations placed on a 17th century wife. As part of this talk there will be examples of period dress which can be examined. Vivienne will be  dressed as a gentlewoman of the period. Vivienne is involved with the Chester Civil War Tours and speaks on a variety of local subjects.

Usual time 7:30 at Tiverton Village Hall. All welcome.

John Ellis and the Cheshire Regiment in the Great War 22nd January

Our local military historian, John Ellis, gave us a moving insight into life and death at the front in the First World War. John shared letters from soldiers from the Cheshire Regiment. Although the recent 100 year anniversaries have opened our eyes again to the horrors of that conflict, John's talk, given with a soldier's dry sense of humour, reminded us that those soldiers were real people not just numbers. 

John has kindly donated the Society a copy of his book 'From the Boyne to Basra'. This is a concise history of the Cheshire Regiment since its foundation in 1689 up to modern times. The early history shows the versatility of the Regiment from service in Ireland and Europe to building and protecting the British Empire from Canada to India. A fascinating insight into British history. Please ask us to borrow the book.

University of Chester event on Contest and Collaboration

The Cheshire Local History Association is supporting an conference on the archeaology and history of the March of Wales on Saturday 11 April.

Follow link to poster.

There is an accompanying website www.chester.ac.uk/contestandcollab

John Ellis and the Cheshire Regiment Thursday 22nd January

Our first speaker for 2015 will be John Ellis. John will be doing readings from archives of Cheshire Regiment plus extracts from letters and diaries of soldiers relating to the progress of WW1. As well as giving an insight into the war it will be humorous and gives a picture of the feelings and opinions of those involved. 

As usual Tiverton Vilage Hall at 7:30pm.  All are welcome.

Magna Carta: a course by Roger Wickson

Helen Kerr has just received details from Keele University of a course tutored by Roger Wickson on Magna Carta: Myth and Reality.

The course will be held at Nantwich Museum from 10am to 12noon for twelve weeks from Monday 16th February to Monday 23rd March and Monday 13th April to Monday 18th May.
The fee for the course is £100.
For further details contact Roger at wickson@audlem2.freeserve.co.uk

Members will remember the fascinating talk Roger gave us a couple of years ago on the Fourth Crusade

Christmas and medieval festivals

Christmas came early to the Society this year. We had decided to hold our festive meeting on December 4th to avoid clashes in busy calendars.

We were very pleased to welcome back Tom Hughes who led us through a calendar year of seasonal festivals. These festivals reflected both Church and the rural life of ploughing, sowing and harvesting, and even the odd hanging. Not only did Tom entertain us with music on contemporary instruments, he discovered a troupe of mummers in the audience.

The evening ended with mulled wine and punch, and home-made pies and gingerbread. Many thanks to those who provided these refreshments.

British Association for Local History (BALH)

Bob Welch reminds us that our Society is a member of BALH. The BALH has just launched a new website http://www.balh.org.uk/. This website is a comprehensive introduction to the Association, its activities and publications. Well worth a visit.

BALH also produces a regular Newsletter. Click on Newsletter for the December issue.