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Spring 2007

 

 

Newsletter No 2

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A hard copy of this Newsletter is distributed to the Timeline York Plus groups and to libraries in the Greater York area.

Timeline York Plus is an informal association of historical and archaeological societies in the area of greater York, providing a forum for the exchange of news and views.

 

 

SOCIETY & GROUP ACTIVITIES

 

 

Acomb Local History Group

Despite a late change of venue due to blood donor sessions, we had a very good opening to the year when about 130 people attended to hear Marjorie Harrison speak about Acomb in the 16th and 17th centuries. We have a very full programme planned for the rest of the year, meeting at 10am on the second Wednesday of each month except August. We will also have evening meetings in March and October. The topics are mainly of local interest, not much research but we are collecting a good number of photographs and memories. There have been several reports of developments on Front Street which we are monitoring.

Contact: John Terry 01904 798956.

 

 

Bishopthorpe Local History Group

We are still providing information on the 1910-15 Valuation Office survey and this activity has proved hugely popular thanks to Linda Haywood’s efforts. We have received a great deal of feedback on this subject including old photographs, sight of deeds and family anecdotes for our oral archives. Apart from the revenue from photocopying, we have received generous donations towards the project.

More archive material means that we are still seeking a safe and permanent storage facility for our archive materials.

Contacts: D Forrester 01904 705396 and L Haywood 01904 704584.

 

 

Dringhouses Local History Group

The Group has over 70 members and the programme of talks and visits is very well supported. Recently we have visited York Archives to study a varied selection of documents concerning Dringhouses and “Goddards”, the family home of Noel Terry. This house, designed by Walter Brierley, is the most important listed building in Dringhouses.

We have enjoyed a talk by Hugh Murray and a members’ evening when four members talked about their research in Dringhouses and archaeological, finds were identified by Jon Kenny, the Greater York Community Archaeologist.

Our article in the press and the display in the Central Library about the Royal Observer Corps created much interest.

Current projects include the preparation of two leaflets about the buildings of old Dringhouses and the history of the Knavesmire.

To contact the Group please telephone York 706384. New members are always welcome.

 

 

Dunnington Through The Ages

Members of the group continue with research on the Manor Court Rolls and additions to the database of Dunnington people, and further information can be obtained from Marilyn Jones on 01904 488433. A dig was undertaken in late autumn to try to find a Roman road near Dunnington. We were not successful on this occasion but a further geo-physical work is being done with, probably, another dig. Later this year our group plans to survey another feature shown on aerial photographs. Luckily we have a couple of months to carry out our investigations once the current crop has been harvested.

Contact: Marilyn Jones 01904 488433

 

 

Friends of Hagg Wood

2007 is going to be an exciting year for us. We have been awarded two grants to carry out our projects including a landscape history survey of the wood, set in the medieval township of Scoreby. Stephen Moorhouse, an eminent landscape historian, is already making interesting discoveries, mapping out the original manor house, the farmstead and gardens of the deserted village of Scoreby. We intend to look at the boundaries around the wood and the ditches & dykes within the wood to try and place them in chronological order. Barry Wright, Chairman of Ainsty Conservation Group, is helping with the ecology. Stephen will report on his work at our AGM on Wednesday 23rd May.

Our Breathing Places grant has been awarded to transform one particular section of the wood into a more attractive area. We have chosen a piece of boggy scrubland and we intend to create a new deciduous grove of trees with the help of the Scouts and the Community at large. We will clear the area of rhododendrons and brambles and on Sunday 11th March we are having a big tree-planting day – everyone is invited to come along.

Another project is to look at all the hedgerows, first in the medieval township of Scoreby and then in Dunnington, through 2007 and 2008. Hedgerows are an important part of the fabric of the English countryside and we need to monitor and record them before we can protect them. If you would like training from BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), to start in April, or more information then please phone Linda Maggs on York 489127. Everyone is welcome.

 

 

Forest and Hopgrove Local History Group

We have now selected and agreed target activities for our group and an indication of probable time scales .These include

“A walk through the village” brochure – to be available by July 2007.

A “Now and Then” booklet – a photographic record comparing old photos with the location as it is now. The timescale for this project is about 2 years.

A history book of the village – the ultimate goal with a timescale of about 5 years.

Teams have been organised to cover research into many areas of previous village life. Much pleasure is being gained by our oral history interviews and we are learning the skills and work involved. Research into the parish records has enabled the complete documentation of the census returns for the years 1851 – 91 to be put on disc. We are also investigating a long-held belief that the main Roman road out of the East of York passed through Stockton.

Contact: Terry Briggs: 46 Kingsmoor Road, Stockton on the Forest, YO32 9TY (Tel. 01904 400013) or Steve Burton: 98, the Village, Stockton on the Forest, YO32 9UW (Tel. 01904 400066)

 

 

Haxby Local History Group

Following the success of the Haxby Carnival at which much interest was shown in the History Group marquee we moved into the autumn with a number of talks and special occasions. We heard from Ian Winduss who captured many memories with his talk of his childhood in Haxby. At our Annual Talk we heard from Hugh Murray about the history of old York, supported with a slide show. There was also a visit by Ann Brown who displayed ‘grannie’s garments’ and gave an amusing talk on fashion and dress of yester year.

In November the Group had a very interesting visit to the Roman Baths in York followed by a meal at a local venue. In Haxby at the local Memorial Hall the Group supported a local Wartime Sing-along with a display of relevant pictures and artifacts. Then in December there was a celebration for the 130th anniversary of the Memorial Hall which initially opened as a school and remained so until 1954 when it became the Memorial Hall of today. Following a general canvass the Group managed to invite many ex-pupils to visit the occasion and for them to sign a ‘Book of Happy Days Remembrance’. We concluded the year with an informal meeting in December.

We look forward to 2007 and note that our membership is increasing.

For more information Telephone 01904 768616

 

 

Hungate Excavation (Hungate Community Archaeology Group)

The Hungate excavation has started and we intend to revive the Hungate Community Archaeology Group. At present there are a few members of the Hungate Community Trust who are planning a meeting with Peter Connolly (Hungate Archaeological Director). We need to explore the participation of the community in the archaeology. We are also interested in seeing that the Hungate community is kept informed of the archaeological progress of the project.

Contact: Liddy Dalesman 01904 332784

 

 

Poppleton History Society

A report on the geophysical survey carried out on the Scheduled Ancient Monument site by members of the Archaeology Group in June / July of last year was sent to English Heritage. The plan is to continue the survey, using magnetic anomaly equipment, in the Spring and extend its scope to cover more of the likely area especially that part which may well contain the remains of a Tudor Manor.

The History Society continues its monthly presentations, starting at 7.30pm, at the Methodist Church Hall in Poppleton on the first Wednesday of each month. For further details contact 01904 338610.

 

 

Stillingfleet Chroniclers

Sadly, our request for a grant from the Heritage Fund has not been successful but the Group continues to meet. We operate with a few people but are ever hopeful of increased membership. We have a display and open day organised for 24th March in the Village Hall at 2 pm. The display will feature the WWII period. The research we have undertaken into housing in the period will be supported by some interesting photographic evidence. Please come along and participate with us. Contact Yvonne Clark 01904 728877

 

 

Strensall Local History Group

Our “Then and Now” book was published in November 2006. A great deal of interest has been generated as a result and sales are going well. All the photographs obtained by the Group are being archived in digital form and will be available eventually for public viewing on the internet via the Comma-Net program. This is a huge project that could take some time as we have hundreds of photographs. The investigations into the history of the Tannery continue with the completion of the study of the 1841 to 1901 censuses for references to people living in Strensall who worked at the Tannery. Our monthly meetings re-started after the Christmas / New Year break and talks will include “What was Prebend” and “The Synod of Strensall”. We have a special visit arranged to the Minster in April. For more information contact: 01904 794540 or 01904 490413

 

 

South Ainsty Archaeological and History Society

Work has continued on writing up the excavation at the Knights Templar site; the full report will be available shortly. Discussions will be held soon with the farmer as to whether any fieldwork will be possible later in the year. Marjorie Harrison and Catrina Appleby gave a talk on the society’s work at Copmanthorpe at the recent CBA Yorkshire symposium which was well received. A meeting was held to discuss writing a book on the history of Copmanthorpe, and from this a small group was formed to start work on transcribing the post-medieval wills, inventories etc.

The society will be holding its AGM on Thursday 29 March 2007 at 19.30 in Acaster Malbis Memorial Hall. The business will be followed by a talk by one of our members, Ruby Foster, on ‘The History of The Retreat Mental Hospital’. Non-members are welcome.

 

 

Tang Hall Local History Group

Our group was formed in 1999 and meets on the third Thursday of each month in Tang Hall Library at 10.am. The area we cover extends from Malton Road through Heworth and Tang Hall to Lawrence Street/Hull Road. Our aim is to record and preserve aspects of the history of this area and make this available to interested members of the public.

Space in the library houses our computer via which visitors can access our archive, along with other information and photographs in folders. Ongoing work includes updating the computer data and building up a record of oral reminiscences of past and present residents. We also take photographs to record changes taking place in the area. Over the years we have held several open evening meetings to which speakers were invited. Our greatest achievement to date has been the publication in 2006 of our book “East of York”, a mainly photographic record of the area. This was made possible by a grant from The Lottery Fund and has been a most successful and rewarding undertaking. At present we are organising a programme of speakers for some of our monthly meetings.. Contact Jon and Jane Burrows [jburrows17@rhrt.fsnet.co.uk] or 01904 345942. Wendy Simmons – 01904 410982, and John Garton – 01904 416222 A warm welcome is assured to anyone who would like to join us

 

 

York Young Archaeologists Club

The Young Archaeologists Club is run by the Council for British Archaeology on the basis of individual membership (9 to 16 years) but it also promotes the formation of local branches which members can join to meet other members and join in club activities. The local branches are run by volunteers.

The York branch is run by Helen Bachelor (helen@bachelor5884.freeserve.co.uk) and Jon Kenny (jkenny@yorkarchaeology.co.uk) with other volunteers and helpers. The Branch meets once a month on a Saturday afternoon for various archaeologically associated activities. We try to organise a dig for our members, during the summer, supervised by our leaders and helpers. We spent a week at the Dunnington dig in the summer of 2005 and would be happy to participate in other community digs.

Anyone interested in becoming a member is welcome to contact Helen or Jon.

 

We hope to include the news from other groups in future editions.

 

 

MEETINGS SCHEDULE

 

The next meeting of Timeline York Plus is scheduled for April 14 at 2 p.m.and will be hosted by the Bishopthorpe Group.

 

 

THE COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGIST

 

Dr. Jon Kenny is the Greater York Community Archaeologist. He has already made contact with most members of the TYP Groups and is keen to build a close association with everyone. Make contact via: the York Archaeological Trust at 47 Aldwark, York: Tel. 01904 663020.

Jon’s e-mail is: jkenny@yorkarchaeology.co.uk]. Jon is looking after the list of speakers who might address meetings. If a Group is looking for a speaker for a particular event or has knowledge of speakers who may talk on subjects of interest please contact Jon with details.

 

 

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEWSLETTER

 

This newsletter has been edited by Elizabeth Smith and Ted Kendall. Comments and enquiries may be sent to the various Groups’ contacts, where given, or to Ted Kendall at: gandt.kendall@ntlworld.com or telephone 01904 338610.

 

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