5th – 25th September 2014

Celebrating the life of D.H. Lawrence

This year’s festival programme is packed with events celebrating both the life and work of D.H. Lawrence and the rich heritage and culture of this part of Nottinghamshire and Eastwood where he was born and raised, and which so influenced his work.

This year’s festival exhibition ‘Lawrence’s War’ marks the centenary of the outbreak of World War One by exploring how the war affected Lawrence, his life, his work and the lives of those at home in Eastwood. ‘Lawrence and the War Years’ is also the subject of this year’s D.H. Lawrence Society birthday lecture delivered by Dr. Catherine Brown on 11th September.

There is a huge variety of events on offer at this year’s festival including walks, talks, tours, film screenings, concerts, reading groups and more. Many local heritage attractions are opening their doors for special events to celebrate the festival and Saturday 6th September sees the return of the popular Vintage Craft Fair featuring free ‘try-it’ craft sessions.

• Creative Workshops
• Drama
• Exhibitions
• Film Screenings
• Guided Tours
• Guided Walks
• Lectures
• National Heritage
• Open Days
• Mining Heritage Day
• Music
• Reading Groups

To download a copy of the wall-chart and event planner go to [D.H. Lawrence Festival programme]

‘Prophets, Martyrs and Pilgrims – the Christian heritage of our region.’ 

A chance to discover fascinating stories from 1600 years of spiritual history in which Retford and the surrounding area changed the World we live in. Find out about:

• The death of King Edwin and the mysterious search for his body
• How a family from Sturton and Worksop brought Catherine Howard to the executioner’s block, but ended up burnt at the stake

Tales of the Puritans and the Pilgrims

Controversy over the Mansfield ‘exorcist’

The first Quaker martyr – a young man from Retford

Illustrated talk by local author, Adrian Gray on Saturday 13^th September, 7pm

Admission free – collection in aid of new heritage displays in Retford

The Well Community Centre, Hospital Road, Retford

Debbie Cooper, Past Lives Project Co-ordinator, writes:

“I’m co-ordinating an arts and heritage project in Nottingham over the next few months. With funding from Arts Council and Heritage Lottery Past Lives Project is calling out for local cine film, photos and history featuring everyday lives of the region. We are digitising local film for free; the original depositor keeps their film and gets a free digitised copy too. The digitised film will be edited and a live composition created by international musicians and strings from Sinfonia Viva Orchestra will be created as a soundtrack to the new Nottingham film.

in 2012 we worked with MACE footage to create a film of the Midlands using cine film from 1930s – 1970s, now we are doing the same for Nottingham.

We will be doing archive days, memory events, cine film viewing and digitisation.

Would you be able to help us find local cine film? People hide it away and often it gets destroyed when people move house, or is stored in warm conditions and deteriorates rapidly. Cine film has so much social history and we are losing it at an ever increasing rate. We are asking groups with heritage contacts to help us spread the  message, to get people looking in cupboards and under beds to save this precious social history before it is lost forever.

We are running a photo and cine film heritage day on 9th August and we are also calling out for heritage volunteers on that day too. As we are a short project we will need local groups to pass volunteers on to us afterwards.

Kind regards”

Debbie Cooper, Past Lives Project Co-ordinator, 07866693436

09 August – Lakeside – Volunteer Training Day – learn how to conserve your precious photos and cine film

23 August – Beeston Parish Church, Middle Street, Beeston – Cake for Memories – swap your memories for tea and cake, vintage style

13 September – Lakeside – Oral History Day and film viewing

11 October – Djanogly Theatre – Past Lives Project followed by post-show discussion

06 December – Lakeside – Legacy Day – Launch of the Past Lives Project Nottingham archive

It’s the story of an African baby sold into slavery in England….

An African child – destined to become Nottingham’s First Black businessman…..

George John Scipio Africanus

It’s a story that is TRUE and it’s full of unanswered questions!

Belong Nottingham is piecing together the missing links and we invite you to join us in our search. Volunteers will receive free training. For more information contact Rosanna Ottewell on 0115 978 3020, 0115 979 0015 or email rosanna@belongnottingham.co.uk

Are you interested in research, local and black history, technology, writing or volunteering – then this is the project for you. You will be searching for historical evidence of George Africanus in local and national archives, libraries and other records. We will be delving into historical information, promoting George Africanus to a world audience and handing down his legacy to our children. You can help build our website and will work with our consultants – who will give support and training. We will be running journalism and other courses to help you produce information for learning materials, our website and publicity. We are offering training and support and your involvement and will help us commemorate a person of importance and local significance.

MAKE HISTORY HAPPEN!

Youth Heritage Conference 2014

(FREE!)

at Wollaton Hall Natural History Museum, NG8 2AE

Tuesday 15 July 2014,  10.15 am – 3.45pm

Hosted by the Learning, Engagement & Collections Team, Nottingham City Museums & Galleries and in partnership with Nottinghamshire Local History Association and Nottinghamshire County Council (Nottinghamshire Archives).

Join us at this Conference with a difference! If you are a young person (approx 16-21 years) and interested in heritage come along to this unique event, being held at Wollaton Hall, a magnificent  Tudor mansion. The day aims to bring together young people and heritage workers involved in museums, archives, libraries, archaeology, arts, heritage and community activities.

Tours of Wollaton Hall are included in the day

Booking is essential as places are limited.

Telephone 0115 8762194 or for further information contact loansservice@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

The event is free and some catering is provided.  There is also a café in the stable yard that sells drinks and food.

The programme will include ‘Bringing the Tudors to Life!’,  Tours of the Hall, Presentation of certificates to Wakefield Project (Nottinghamshire Archives/Home Education Students) for work on World War 1 memorial catalogue, Lunch (in the Lord Middleton Suite),  Getting Into Film – How a group of young filmmakers (Rubber Goat Films) are ‘making a difference’ in local communities and the creative arts, Stalls & Workshops (in Education Room).

‘Have-a-go’ with a quill pen, find out about conservation and bookbinding (Nottinghamshire Archives), get information about NOTTINGHAMSHIRE LOCAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION it Is doing about heritage. Discover what’s happening in Community Archaeology, discover more about the George Africanus (Belong) project that has been finding out about a former slave who became a Nottingham businessman. take a look at Greenshoots youth projects, see how Junction Arts and ‘Combine’ (farming heritage) have been involving young people and what they are planning for the future, check-out the handling collection of the City Museums & Galleries Loans service, discover what young people with the Illuminate Project have been doing on WW1. 

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

Blidworth and the First World War tells how life in the Parish of Blidworth (which included Fishpool, Rainworth and Blidworth Bottoms) changed during the first thirty years of the 20th century.

The book commemorates the local men who sacrificed their lives in the ‘War to end all Wars’. It also tells of how the war might have been avoided if a shooting accident had ended in a fatality.

We glimpse life as it was through the eyes of a boot maker – Sam Clarke – and hear stories about the daily life of our Parishioners. We learn that Blidworth had the first Co-Operative in the country. We introduce the reader to ‘Plough Bullocking’ and learn the rules of ‘Husky Fusky’. We also tell of the revival of the unique ‘Rocking Ceremony’ in St. Mary’s Church of the Purification.

The men who returned from the war faced great changes and some experienced severe hardships. The village became less dependent on agriculture as the mining industry developed and changed completely with the sinking of Blidworth Colliery.

This book is richly illustrated with photographs of Blidworth Parish and its people, many of which have not been previously published.

Produced by John and Dale Smallwood on behalf of Blidworth and District Historical and Heritage Society this book has been published by NOTTINGHAMSHIRE LOCAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION.

For more details or to obtain a copy please contact John Smallwood at john.smallwood1@ntlworld.com

Woodborough Heritage has launched a new website on 1st July 2014 titled “Woodborough’s Heritage – Themed Photo Galleries”.

The ambition is to place the majority of our collection of 4,000 ‘Woodborough’ photos on to the new site. This site will be built up over a period of time. The first release of albums includes:

• Woodborough during WWI (this in time for the 100th anniversary of WWI commencing)
• Woodborough Hall
• Woodborough Woods Foundation School (class photos, teachers, and school buildings)
• St Swithun’s Graveyard

The new site has an interesting and important feature in that it has the ability for the viewer to provide instant feedback should they have new information about any of the photographs, or wish to correct the captions that are provided.

It is never too late for the general public to provided us with new photos, in fact there is a constant trickle of previously unseen photos that are passed to us and contact can be made to enquiries@woodborough-heritage.org.uk

To view the site go to www.woodborough-heritage.org.uk

Free Family Fun Day to Celebrate Re-Launch of Nottinghamshire Museum

On Saturday 26 July the Framework Knitters Museum, Ruddington, is celebrating the launch of the first stage of the redevelopment of the museum made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the opening of two brand-new exhibitions – including the UK’s first gallery entirely dedicated to the Luddite revolt. To mark the occasion they are holding a free family fun day at the museum on Chapel Street, which will run from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm, with last admission at 4:00 pm.

Visitors will be able to experience what life was like for the Framework Knitters of Nottinghamshire as they explore the historic site. As part of the redevelopment of the museum, special effects have been added to bring the museum to life for the visitor, and a new sense of drama and interaction will mean they will get to experience the site in a completely unique way. In addition visitors will be able to see a framework knitter in action, and will even get to make their own knitted souvenir on our historic sock making machines.

The two new galleries will enable visitors to find out how the historic industry is intrinsic to, not just the county’s heritage, but issues that still affect people across the world.  The new Luddite gallery will tell the story of the Luddite revolt, which started in Nottingham before spreading across the country, and examine the conditions that surrounded the uprising. While the new Machine Room will chart the development of the industry, explore the birth of lace, and encourage the ongoing debate about the production of cheap clothing.

“Finally the region has an exhibition dedicated to the Luddite uprising. It was a national revolt, yet it started here in Nottingham, so we feel it is really important that it is commemorated,” said Paul Baker, Museum Manager. “We’re really excited about the changes to the museum and we can’t wait to welcome visitors to see our improvements. We set out to make our historic spaces more dramatic and interactive, and I’m sure our visitors will have never seen anything quite like it before.”

To add to the celebrations on the family fun day actors, musicians, and street performers, will be performing throughout the day. Light refreshments will be available from the tea room, and the museum shop, which sells locally-made textile gifts, will be open.

The museum, including the two new galleries, is open Wednesday to Sunday. For opening hours, and for more information, visit www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk

From 15 – 26 July Lakeside Arts Theatre’s production of Oh What A Lovely War will mark the centenary of the First World War. Lakeside would like to offer everyone at the Nottinghamshire Local History Association tickets at concession prices to the show; all you have to do is call the Box Office and let them know you are from the NLHA. This offer is available to NLHA members and members of organisations who are part of NLHA.

It’s 1914 and Europe is on the brink of war. Your king and country need you. So be a man and enlist today!

Oh What A Lovely War takes the ideas of satire and ensemble musical to a whole new level – inviting the audience to consider the horror and pointlessness of the war by presenting a funny, lyrical evocation of the first world war and making them laugh at the pointlessness of it all.

This production, directed by Martin Berry (Lysistrata, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors)will tell the story of one of the defining events of the twentieth century through songs, audience interaction, game playing and laughter, as a cast of all ages open up a toybox of images, musical instruments, costumes and props to create scenes of the trenches, the seaside, a forest, battlefields and much more.

Part circus, part seaside entertainment, part music call – Oh What A Lovely War is a riot of colour and music, brilliantly comic and deeply moving.

An amateur production by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

Lakeside Box Office: 0115 846 7777