BALH are planning visits to York on Wednesday 3 September and to Leeds on Thursday 4 September, and we still have places available.  Each day will have two separate events. Each event will be self-contained but the timetable has been devised to enable participants to undertake all if they wish; there are frequent trains between York and Leeds, taking about half an hour. 
The proposed programme is as follows:
 
York – Wednesday 3 September 2014

Visit to the arguably the most historic northern city, noted for its Roman, Viking, Mediaeval and Georgian past as well as home of the National Railway Museum.

10.30 Visit to National Railway Museum & Archive  (a short walk from the railway station. The York Park & Ride service from Rawcliffe Bar has a stop at the NRM). The Archive has original material on all aspects of railways, including drawings, timetables, diaries, photographs & ephemera.

Meet at the main entrance to the Museum at least 5 minutes prior to start of the tour. This begins with a 45 minute tour of the Archives followed by a display of items of interest to examine and handle. Fee £4.00 per member £5 per non-member.

Snack lunch available in the NRM or at many cafes, snack bars, and restaurants close to the Minster.

2.00 Visit to York Minster Library, (a 20 minute walk from the NRM, also on a bus route.) The Library is housed near the Minster in the Old Palace, part of which dates back to the C13th. The Library contains over 120,000 books on local history, Civil War Tracts, theology, church history and architecture.

Meet at the entrance to the York Minster Library at least 5 minutes before the start of the tour. This begins with a 45 min tour (no disabled access) followed by use of the search room, where numerous items of interest will be set out. Fee £8 per member £10 per non member.
 
Leeds – Thursday 4 September 2014
Leeds now challenges Manchester for the accolade ‘capital of the North’, and there is much to see and do in the city.  Two visits are offered, with participants free to strike the balance between them.
 
10.30 Visit to Liddle Collection of WWI material, Leeds University Special Collections, Brotherton Library (15-min walk or short bus ride from railway station).  This contains individual collections relating to 6000 people who experienced WWI, in every capacity – military, merchant navy, home front, COs etc, including both personal and official papers and artefacts – and also a museum of equipment.  The visit will offer:

• 1-hour introductory session on the Collection and how to use it.
• Personal research time; the catalogue is searchable by name, place etc.  Possible access to other special collections.
• Concluding Q and A session, mid-afternoon.

12.0 Visit to Marks & Spencer Archive, Michael Marks Building, Leeds University (10 mins from above).  This contains 70,000 items including products, national business papers, images of stores through time and a complete run of the company newspaper.  The visit will offer an introductory tour of the exhibition, brief introduction to the collection and personal research time.  The catalogue is searchable by place etc, but searches would have to be undertaken on-line in advance and desired items notified in advance.

Lunch is available close to both venues and the schedule aims to allow participants either to get the flavour of both collections or to spend the whole time on their preferred interest.

There is a single fee for the whole day of £6 for members, £8 for non-members