100 years of trains to Audlem 22nd February

Jeremy Nichols came to tell us about the Nantwich and Market Drayton Railway. This railway was opened in 1863 and provided part of the link between Crewe and the Midlands for the GWR. Although passenger traffic was modest, the line was an important freight route. However as part of the Beeching rationalisation plan, the line closed to passenger traffic in 1963 (just 100 years of service) and to freight traffic in 1967. 

Jeremy grew up in Nantwich within sight of this railway, and he retrieved many old documents from the derelict Audlem station before it was demolished. He used many of these documents, eg receipts for goods carried, to show how the railway was managed and, intriguingly, how the railway changed the rural life in South Cheshire. Jeremy also showed us photographs both from the railway's heyday and from the final years before closure. The talk brought back memories for many members, who wherever they were at the time, had been brought with steam travel.

History through Metal Detecting 25th January

Martin Tobbit, who is a member of the Crewe and Nantwich Metal Detecting Society, gave a very personal talk on metal detecting. He explained how he became fascinated with how metal detecting can be used to discover the past. Briefly introducing his modern detection equipment, he told us how he has been searching the local fields, and what he had unearthed. Perhaps the most memorable part of Martin's talk, was when he passed around some of his finds. It's not every evening that you handle a neolithic arrow head and a Roman coin.

Christmas Social 21st December

The run up to Christmas is always a busy time so we had decided not to invite a speaker. Instead we had an enjoyable 'homespun' meeting when members brought along and described a few historic personal items. It's amazing what people have tucked away at home. The evening finished with mince pies, stollen, and a topical quiz.

The Canal Duke 23rd November

The Society welcomed back one of our favourite speakers, local historian, Bernard Dennis. Bernard talked last time about Sir Thomas Egerton, a local lad who made good in high offices of state under Queen Elizabeth and King James 1. Tonight's talk continued the Egerton saga with details of the life of one of his descendants, Francis Egerton, the Duke of Bridgwater. Francis Egerton was known as the 'Canal Duke' because he was one of the men instrumental in launching the canal age. The Duke, who had inherited lands including Tatton Park and coal mines at Worsley, recognised the canals as an effective way of transporting goods, particularly coal, to and from the industrial areas. His fortunes, land and good contacts, allowed him to the build the Bridgewater Canal linking Worsley to the Mersey.

Bank Notes 26th October

Bob Welch writes

In his talk which was both informative and amusing Chis Leather told us of the German Nazi Government's plan to try and destabilize the British economy by forging and then releasing millions of pounds worth of British Bank Notes.He explained in detail how they went about organising this, how they recruited people with the relevant skills, including criminal forgers from prisons. He explained the lengths that they had to go to to get the right sort of paper, ink etc. It was not an easy job but in they end they succeeded and many millions of notes were released, manly for the purchase of gold, jewels etc of for payments of bribes to agents and contacts in other countries. By the end of the War most of the participants managed to escape from Nazi control and went on with their lives as before the War. One Officer was executed for War Crimes but the last actual forger didn't die until January 2017. Chris had with him examples of the forged notes which were interesting in themselves. A good talk.

Cheshire Landowners 28th September

Our Chairman Doug Haynes started our new season by giving the first talk on 'Cheshire Landowners through the ages'.

Anderton Lift Boat trip 22nd June

Some 18 members visited a local feat of Victorian engineering, the Anderton Boat Lift. (Lift website) This lift built in 1875, but recently restored, allowed laden canal boats to be moved to and from the River Weaver below and the Trent and Mersey canal above. The river gave good access to the Mersey and Liverpool; the canal gave good access to the Cheshire salt towns and the Potteries. The feedback from members was that this was a very successful and enjoyable outing with lunch, then a river cruise to Northwich, and finally a ride up the lift itself at the end.

 

Pictures Cathy Peel and Paul Bujac