Local History

Whether indoors in winter or outdoors in summer, Local History events are always a treat!

	Scout & Guide HQ (unless stated otherwise)
	1st Tuesday of the month for Indoor Meetings; details below for Outdoor Meetings during the summer months
	2.15pm for Indoor Meetings; details below for Outdoor Meetings during the summer months
	Leader: Margaret Gibbon - 01695 422678

We return to our indoor meetings in the S&G HQ on Tuesday 2 October, meetings begin 2.15 pm. By drawing together some of the events of the Great War that we have covered and some that we have not yet presented, our October and November meetings conclude our commemoration of W.W.I.

Tuesday 2 October meeting includes a film, Defeat to Victory. The film centres around the 2^nd Salford Pals Battalion of the 16^th Lancashire Fusiliers as they prepare for the Battle of the Somme (1916). Authentic and deeply moving, the footage reveals what it was like to go `over the top` and how British tactics changed after the appalling consequences of that first day (01.07.1916).

Tuesday 6 November we will review war events from 1916-18 and Daniel Tyler joins us to relate some of the crucial incidents that led to the memorable time and date 11 am 11.11.1918. The Twenty Year Armistice is the title of Daniel`s presentation.

If members have any letters, documents, other memorabilia relating to W.W.I. that they would like to share information about, please bring the item(s) to one of our meetings.

Tuesday 4 December – Muck, Fylthe and Executions. Time to revisit the Tudor era as we mix facts and fun whilst sampling some themed food and drink. Led by the `Lord of Misrule` with special guest, one of Henry VIII`s wives. Please book for this meeting at the end of November meeting or at Horizons. Cost 3 Groats or £3 in `modern` money.

No meeting in January.

Tuesday 5 February – Medieval Manuscripts. Illuminated manuscripts are an interesting resource for understanding some aspects of medieval life, not only in castles and palaces, and they provide an insight into everyday life at the time. Brian Farrimond will bring examples of medieval manuscripts and will tell us more. As it is the first day of the Chinese New Year we will begin our meeting with fortune cookies and our horoscope for the year. Jasmine and green tea available.

Tuesday 5 March – The Architecture of Lord Street, Southport and Bed and Breakfast in Southport. One of the most well-known streets in our local history is Lord Street, Southport, a fine example of a Victorian canopied boulevard. But have you ever stopped to look up at the interesting buildings? Julia Clayton’s illustrated presentation will highlight some of the architecture of Lord Street. We continue our afternoon with Jill Newsham’s presentation of some of the historic venues that have provided bed and breakfast for visitors to Southport over the years.

Our meetings are in S&G HQ and begin at 2.15pm. All members are welcome.

Last Updated - Thursday, December 6, 2018

2018 Local History Summer Outings

Tuesday 1 May Imperial War Museum and a Tour of BBC Studios at Salford Quays

The coach departed from Long Lane at 12.30pm for a ‘self guided’ tour of the Imperial War Museum, followed by a guided Tour around the BBC Studios at Salford Quays. After extensive and comprehensive security checks, we were shown one of BBC Radio 6’s studios followed by the ‘Match of the Day’, ‘Blue Peter’ and ‘BBC Breakfast’ studios. Cost was £22.75. We returned approx. 7pm.

Saturday 2 June Tour and Tales around the Ribble Valley

Our popular trip is fully booked with a waiting list. If your place is reserved please pay at Horizons and select your lunch menu. Cost: £32.

Departs 9.30 am outside S.&G. Hq. Returns approximately 6pm.

Tuesday 3 July Merseyside Maritime Museum and Afternoon Tea at 30 James Street Hotel

We were treated to two role play performances at M.M.M. Firstly, from Robert Hitchins who was at the wheel of R.M.S Titanic on that fateful night, 15 April 1912. We heard his moving account of the tragedy.

This was followed by Hope Chapin who was a passenger on R.M.S. Carpathia, the small liner that rescued the lifeboat survivors of Titanic from the freezing ocean. We listened to ‘Hope`s’ narrative of the event.

We strolled to our next appointment, along Strand Street, to Afternoon tea at the former White Star Line Hq., Albion House, now restored as a hotel that pays tribute to its history. We had a short tour of the hotel including one of the themed suites, followed by Afternoon Tea in the Carpathia Restaurant, overlooking Liverpool’s Historic Waterfront.

Cost £18. We met at M.M.M Albert Dock.

Last Updated - Monday, November 5, 2018

Spring 2018 Indoor Meetings

Tuesday 6 February: Liverpool Revisited in Film and in Conversation

From a small fishing inlet to Capital of Culture in 2008, Liverpool has been home, a place of employment, a cultural and shopping venue and more, for many of our members. All members are welcome to the meeting to discover/rediscover more about the pool that became the City of Liverpool.

Tuesday 6 March: Poverty and the Workhouses in South-West Lancashire – 2.15pm

Vivian Mumford joins us to present her research.

Tuesday 3 April: It’s World Cup Football Year – Kick Off – 2.15pm

Hear how Lancashire played a major role in the development of football and how local people have been involved in the game. Second half – `The Voice of Anfield` – stadium announcer George Sephton will talk about some of his memorable times with Liverpool Football Club.

There will be ‘Spot the Ball’ and other easy football related competitions plus pies, prizes and pots of tea and coffee.

Oyez – find out about the indoor and outdoor activities of the very popular Local History group

Last Updated - Monday, October 29, 2018

2017 Indoor Meetings

18 February : Cork Jackets and Drill – tells the story, through original music, songs and narration of the 1886 Southport lifeboat disaster, which claimed the lives of almost all of the crew members of the Southport and St. Anne’s Lifeboats.

The music, songs and script are by Southport based playwright Len Pentin whose work has been performed at local theatres, on BBC Radio Merseyside and at the London Fringe. The six person musical performance with its folk roots tells how the dreadfully impoverished mostly fishermen bravely gave battle one terrible storm-ridden winter night in 1886, in an attempt to save the crew of a ship in distress off Southport Sands.

At the time, the tragedy touched and deeply affected the whole of the UK but it is now sadly, largely forgotten. Cork Jackets and Drill attempts to reinstate the memory of the brave lifeboat men who risked and gave their lives that night for others.

‘And they call us part-time sailors, but we are soul-savers’

Last Updated - Thursday, November 1, 2018

2016 Local History Summer Outings

In April, some of our members visited Ormskirk Magistrate’s Court for the last time. The Court closed its doors at the end of June.

3 May: After an interesting guided walk around the area known as the Ropewalks in Liverpool, the Athenaeum opened its doors to us for a tour and lunch. The Athenaeum was founded in 1797 as a library and newsroom for gentlemen. During its time it has acquired, usually from donations, an interesting collection of artefacts. We were able to see some recently discovered historical items such as an ‘1836 passport’ used as a bookmark, and the typewriter which belonged to the Liverpool born Nicholas Montserrat, who served in the Royal Navy in WW2, and who based his novel ‘The Cruel Sea‘ on his wartime experiences.

Visit to the Athenaeum in Liverpool

The Athenaeum has a unique library collection

7 June: A warm welcome awaited us in June at Fulwood Barracks, Preston, home of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

The Lancashire Infantry Museum at Fulwood Barracks

Medals galore

7 June: We travelled on to Lancashire Record Office and heard a fascinating presentation of our local history and had the opportunity to see and handle some of our precious documents, maps and ledgers, linking us with our ancestors.

Lancashire Archives tells the story!

Examining the record books

11 June: We enjoyed a Tour and Tales around the Ribble Valley on Saturday 11th June, visiting a few ancient Inns. According to the Ordnance Survey map we were in the centre of the UK when we visited Dunsop Village. Yes, we did have some rain puddles.

Dunsop Bridge

Puddleducks and Puddles!

Remembering

5 July: On our last outdoor visit we walked in the footsteps of Agnes, Kitty and James listening to some of the history of our three humble local history representatives. The photo shows us next to the statue of Kitty Wilkinson in St. George’s Hall.

Agnes Jones worked tirelessly to improve the conditions in Britain’s largest workhouse situated on Brownlow Hill, Liverpool. Kitty Wilkinson is remembered for her selfless humanitarian work especially during the cholera epidemic of 1832. James Carling was a pavement artist known as the `little chalker`.

Kitty Wilkinson’s statue in St. George’s Hall

Much appreciation to our photographers for taking and supplying the photos.

Last Updated - Thursday, November 1, 2018

2015 Local History

Margaret Gibbon’s sensational Local History Group summer outings have been a testament to her enthusiasm, organisation skills and eye for historical detail.

May: Brief Encounter

A day out for a “Brief Encounter”

The famous clock at Carnforth railway station, featured in the film, “Brief Encounter”

June & September: Houghton Tower and Canal Cruise

December: Did we step back in time at our Lancashire Day celebration?

Town Crier, Don Evans

En garde!

Did we step back in time?

Lancashire Day celebrations

Last Updated - Thursday, November 1, 2018

Autumn Indoor Meetings and Xmas Celebration

Tuesday 4 Oct. Boat people on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal

2016 was the bicentenary of the Leeds to Liverpool canal; the first sod was cut at Halsall in West Lancs. Nov. 1770 and the canal was completed Oct. 1816. Essential commodities such as coal and cotton were transported in barges along the canal and also essential were the hard working boat people. Bill Huyton joined us with an illustrated presentation of two local boat families.

Tuesday 1 Nov. The Battle of the Somme

The battle began on 1st July 1916. On that first day the British Army suffered 57,470 casualties,19,240 of whom were killed – the bloodiest battle in British military history. Of the fatalities almost 2,000 were from the Lancashire Pals battalions. Military historian Richard Houghton recalled more about the Battle of the Somme.

Tuesday 6 Dec. Christmas Traditions

All members joined us to discover/rediscover the history of the traditions and ceremonies of one of our most important festivals – Christmas. Traditional food and drink was available for £2 50 on the day.

Last Updated - Thursday, November 1, 2018