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.