Happy New Year

Wishing you all a Happy New Year for 2012 from Southumbria

Events - get yours mentioned on this blog

In a history, archaeology or metal detecting society and want your events publicising on here?  Are you an author who wants to publicise a new book or do you want to get an article out to the greater public?  

So long as the event is in Nottinghamshire or South Yorkshire or the book article is about the area or people from this part of the world we'll gladly help. There's no charge as this service is set up to work for the community and to publicise as much of our great wealth of history as possible. 

E-mail me at priorieshistoricalsociety[@]rocketmail.com

Audio - Luddite debate on BBC

Rana Mitter chairs a debate about the Luddites to mark their 200th anniversary. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC Radio 3 Free Thinking Festival 2011.

Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/r3arts

Event - Local History Fair (1st October 2011) (Creswell Crags)

Come and join us at Creswell Crags and learn more about your local area.

On Saturday 1st October from 10.30am until 4.00pm, Creswell Crags will be hosting the now annual Local History Fair. This special event gathers groups together from across the region and gives visitors the opportunity to find out more about their local area. The event will be opened officially by the director of the Creswell Heritage Trust, Ian Wall at 11.00 and a playlet will be performed at various times through the day by the Friends of Sheffield Manor Lodge. Presenters from over 20 societies will be displaying artefacts and on hand to answer questions. We invite everyone with an interest in the area to come along and join us. Additional parking will be available at Lafarge Car Park with a shuttle bus ferrying visitors back to the museum.

The event is free and parking at the centre is by donation.

From: http://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/Whats-On/Events/2011/10/local_history_fair_

SURVEY - 2011 Southumbria Survey (Notts & South Yorkshire)

Please take part in the 2011 'Southumbria' Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire Archaeology and History Survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BY3PM2C the more results we get the better :)

Museum plan (Worksop)

the future of one of Worksop’s most iconic buildings could be in danger if no one comes forward to give it a new lease of life.  The old library on Memorial Avenue currently houses the tourist information office and the council’s CCTV suite.  But much of it stands empty since the library services moved next door to the new community hub.

Last summer, Bassetlaw Council invited anyone wanting to lease the 72-year-old building to express an interest. But the response was limited.“Many people think it should revert to its original purpose as a museum,” said Trevor Dolby, chairman of Shireoaks Local History Group.  On behalf of history groups across Bassetlaw, he submitted an application to the council to transform the building into the Centre for Worksop and West Bassetlaw History. 

“We’d like to take over part of the building and bring back some of the exhibits that are at Retford museum,” said Mr Dolby.  “Worksop’s heritage is in mining and Retford’s is agricultural. Our exhibits should be here for local people to see,” he said.

He said if successful, some displays and cabinets could be moved from Retford. But the big problem is funding. The library building is too big and expensive for the history groups to lease alone.“It needs someone to take on a large part of it on a commercial footing,” he said.  “This is not going to happen unless there is a commitment from a commercial sponsor.”  “The building is very close to the public’s heart, we wouldn’t want to see it demolished.”

A spokesman for Bassetlaw Council said the building’s future is due to be discussed by Cabinet members in March. No announcements will be made before then.  Carl Andrews, an architect with Gateford based Soul Architects, surveyed the building for Bassetlaw Council.  He said: “The building is in quite a poor condition and becoming more and more vulnerable.”  He estimated repairs – including re-roofing – could cost around £300,000.  “The council was keen for it to be a restaurant or function room, but a museum would also be viable,” he said. “But it all comes down to money. What Worksop doesn’t want is a building of that size standing vacant.” 

“It’s a fantastic property, of significant historical interest and it deserves to have a use that Worksop people can enjoy.”

From: http://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/news/local-news/museum_plan_1_2923670