News - New Worksop Conservation Area

Bassetlaw Council has released a new draft version of the Worksop Conservation Area for 2011 (The first one was drawn up in 1983).

This is a fascinating read and has plenty of information on Worksops past and building information.  The town is split into several zones including the canal, priory and Some of the photo's aren't really up to scratch for such an important document and some of the scans of maps are pretty poor too, nether the less worth it's weight in gold.  It also shows the lack of care shown for the oldest buildings in the town with most of them boarded up and neglected.

It can be viewed at: http://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/pdf/Worksop%20Draft%20CAA.pdf

News - An insult to our history (Southwell Roman Villa)

Opposition to homes on a historically-important site in Southwell has been reiterated as one councillor branded the plans an insult to the people of the town. 

Slightly amended plans for 31 homes on the former Church Street site of The Minster School have been submitted by Caunton Properties Ltd to Newark and Sherwood District Council.

As members of Southwell Town Council’s planning committee discussed the application, there was further dismay that the plans were even being considered.

The site contains Roman remains believed to be those of a large villa or a temple.

Experts believe the remains are of significant national importance.

The planning committee chairman, Mr Brendan Haigh, said the new plans were no better than those first submitted.

He said: “I really do think this is an insult to the people of our town and their history and it does nothing whatsoever to enhance or protect the conservation area. In fact it does the exact reverse.

“We confirm our previous objections and say this building has done nothing whatsoever to make us change our minds on that.”

Mr Haigh said he did not think the buildings proposed were suitable.

He said: “I think they are unsuitable for a heritage site such as this, in a conservation area, right next to Southwell Minster and on the site of Roman remains.

“These are the sort of buildings you expect to see in a city. They are more like a big block of flats near the city centre.

“They are totally out of character and totally out of keeping.”

Mr Andy Gregory said he did not see the point in the committee discussing the plans for a second time.

He said: “We have made our objections so I don’t see any need for any further discussion.

“If these plans were next to York Minster or Beverley Minster or any other cathedral in the country these wouldn’t be considered so for the district council to even consider it is ridiculous.”

Mr Roger Dobson said it was disappointing that plans had been submitted for any development on the site.

He said: “It is a site of national archaeological importance so surely our views are that any development is unacceptable.”

The committee agreed to object to the plans for the reasons agreed when they were first discussed in July.

The reasons included that the site contained important archaeology and that the design and number of houses were not suitable.

There was also concerns about highways and flooding.

 

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/An-insult-to-our-history

 

News – Conisbrough Priory to be Auctioned Off

…In one auction house in Sheffield on February 15th and then three days later in London they have the Grade II listed 19thcentury Conisbrough Priory which is situated west of Doncaster.  Rotherham swimming baths is also available at a guide price of £150,000….From: http://www.stockmarketsreview.com/realestate/2011/02/07/the-big-council-sell-off/

 

Another off loading from the Council to raise funds - From what I can ascertain this is a Nursing home and A1 offices on Castle Street:

 

CONISBROUGH HIGH STREET
SK59NW (east side)

4/28 The Priory (offices of
5.11.62 Local Authority Housing
Department) (formerly
listed as Priory House).

GV II


House now local authority offices. Early-mid C19. Ruled stucco, Welsh slate roof. 2-storey, 3-bay front with wing across rear projecting beyond right return. Giant end pilasters and raised central bays Rectangular stone steps to central door with fanlight in doorcase having keyed archivolt and modillioned  ediment. Outer bays each have a canted bay window with sashes and modillioned cornice. 1st floor: plain central sash with projecting sill in segmentally-arched recess rising from doorcase; outer bays have similar paired sashes. Cornice, breaking forward over ends and centre, beneath parapet with balustraded panels over each bay. Hipped roof with stacks to rear, at junction with lower wing, and on ridge of rear wing.

Listing NGR: SK5129898751 Source: English Heritage

From http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-334801-the-priory-offices-of-local-authority-de

 

News - Anger over abbey lodge sale (Newstead)

NOTTINGHAM City Council has announced plans to sell one of the residential lodges in the estate of Lord Byron's former home, Newstead Abbey.

The proposed sale of the grade-II listed West Lodge has provoked fears that the council may "split up" the estate, which it is struggling to maintain.

The Post previously reported that the council plans to close the abbey and its museum collections every day except Sunday in a bid to save cash. It is currently open four days a week.

Ken Purslow, chairman of the Newstead Abbey Byron Society, said the West Lodge was in a "dilapidated state" after being empty for about 10 years. Before that, he said, the caretaker used to live in the lodge."It's a clear indication that they can't look after it," said Mr Purslow."If it's got into a dilapidated state like this, then the solution is to find someone who will put it in decent order."There is a great danger of breaking up the estate if they're starting to do this now – what are they looking at next?"

The council claims it has been forced to reduce the opening hours because it has been hit by a 16.5% cut in Government funding, which is about £60 million. It has revealed budget proposals to save £33 million.

The two-storey stone lodge is about half a mile from the abbey and has a large garden surrounded by a brook and a grade-II listed wall.

The council plans to sell it in an auction with a reserve price on it, to prevent it going too cheaply.

A spokeswoman for the council said she was unable to confirm any other details.

The abbey was given to the people of Nottingham in 1931 by owner Sir Julien Cahn, whose granddaughter Miranda Rijks has written to the council urging it to give or sell the property to another organisation to help keep it open.

The plans for West Lodge were approved by Councillor Dave Trimble, portfolio holder of leisure and culture.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Anger-abbey-lodge-sale/article-3192821-detail/article.html

 

News - Take a look at Newark as seen in 1942

A wartime propaganda documentary set in Newark has been published online as part of a project to make a national archive of films available to the public.

 

The 1942 documentary, called Market Town, was one of many films commissioned by the British Council.

It would have been sent all over the globe to showcase Britain to the outside world. The ten-minute film follows the events of a typical market day, highlighting Newark’s importance as a central hub for buying and selling activities between town and country.

 

Although the narrator makes a point of not naming Newark or its landmarks — there were wartime security restrictions and the plan was to focus on a typical, not specific, market town — there is no mistaking its identity as the film’s location.

The view of Newark Parish Church from the surrounding countryside as people walk, cycle or drive to the town for market day is the first give away.

Vehicles pass the former Midland Hotel, near the Castle Station railway crossing, heading over Beastmarket Hill into the town.

Farmers are filmed driving their animals through the streets to the cattle market, which, in 1942, was located at what is now the Riverside Arena on Tolney Lane, where it remained until 1990.

An auction at the cattle market is captured on film, along with buying and selling at the poultry market at The Wharf.

An aerial shot shows old-style market stalls in the largely unchanged surroundings of the Market Place.

The Town Hall and other historic buildings around the Market Place, including the Governor’s House (now Greggs) and the White Hart Inn, which was Bainbridge and Co at the time and is now The Nottingham, are featured.

The film also shows scenes of the old British Sugar factory and maltings along the River Trent.

The footage has been digitised and published online through the Time/Image project, which is inviting the public to explore and discuss the films of the British Council.

The Newark film has been held in the British Film Institute archives for decades without being seen by the public.

A member of the project, Sarah Cole, said they did not know why Newark was chosen.

She said it may be because a similar film, called Country Town, was filmed about the same time at Boston.

The film charts the development of Newark at the crossing of the River Trent, including the building of the Fosse Way, now the A46, and the Great North Road, now the A1.

Sarah Cole said there were some complaints at the time that it misrepresented Newark’s history, showing it growing up around the roads and market rather than the castle.

She said: “The differences between Newark today and Newark in 1942 are compelling — seeing how the main landmarks have remained the same while the scenery and people around them have changed is fascinating.”

She urged people to contact them with their opinions about the film and if it held any particular significance for them. Email the project team at info@timeimage.org.uk

 

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Take-a-look-at-Newark-as-seen-in-1942

 

If you go to the Newark Advertiser website you can watch the 10 minute film

 

News – Sheffield Council Calls On Local People To Name City’s Favourite Buildings

Sheffield City Council is inviting local people to put forward their suggestions on which of the city’s buildings have architectural and historic significance. 

 

The suggestions could then go forward to go on a local list so that they are formally recognised as important to the city. The locally listed status of a building will be a material consideration in any planning application affecting it

 

Councillor Penny Baker, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning said: “Sheffield is a very distinctive city and much of that is down to its buildings. Around 1,200 are ‘listed’ due to their national architectural or historical significance, but there are many more locally significant examples that do not meet the strict national criteria. What we want is for Sheffield people to nominate their personal hidden gems in the city, buildings that are part of our fabric. This is about Sheffield people having their say and helping to preserve some of the city’s amazing architecture.”

 
A local list will provide formal recognition of those buildings and structures that are valued for the contribution they make to the character of local neighbourhoods or for particular historical associations. Buildings and structures are eligible so this could include milestones, walls, shelters, bridges or even pillar boxes.
 

While local listing does not provide any additional legal protection or access to funding, it does acknowledge those buildings and structures valued by local people and will be a consideration in the planning process.

 
Councillor Baker continued: “This is an opportunity to provide recognition of the buildings and structures that are genuinely valued by local people; the features that make their city and neighbourhood special. The local list will not introduce an additional tier of bureaucracy; it is intended to complement existing measures.”
 
An online nomination form can be completed, and further details about the list obtained, at www.sheffield.gov.uk/conservation

Nationally listed buildings and those within the city’s 38 Conservation Areas already enjoy a significant degree of protection so will not be eligible nor will buildings within the Peak District National Park.
 
The local list will be based on the nominations of local people. Nominations are being accepted up until 12 February 2011 and decisions will be based on five criteria and must meet at least one. These are:

Architectural interest, local historical significance, setting or group value,
For this to apply the building should be by a significant architect, be a strong example of a particular style or type, or exhibit quality in terms of materials or construction techniques.

Local historical significance
Buildings associated with a particular historical event or movement, or a notable person.

Setting or group value
A landmark or a group of buildings that makes a significant contribution to the character of an area.

Age and rarity
Particularly old or rare examples of a building type.

Authenticity
Properties which have not undergone significant alteration  
 
The list will be formally determined by Community Assemblies. Once the provisional list has been endorsed the owners of the relevant properties will be contacted.

A copy of the final list will be posted on the City Council website.

For more information please contact conservation@sheffiled.gov.uk or telephone 0114 27 34223 

 

From: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/sys_upl/templates/PT_Directory/PT_Directory_details.asp?esLtr=ALL&ItemId=109739&action=Display&pgid=131107&tid=154&DirectoryKeywords=&OrderDir=DESC&OrderFld=

Medieval crosses found in nearby villages to on show at Bassetlaw Museum

A COUPLE of found in Tuxford and South Leverton are set to be shown at Bassetlaw Museum.

The Grove Street building has recently acquired several gold and silver objects through the Treasure Act.

Two of the star pieces are symbols of Christian devotion from over 400 years ago.

One item, found in the Tuxford area, is a gold crucifix, showing Jesus crucified on the cross and is described as small but spectacular.

Christ is shown with a crown of thorns, a halo and even the nails in his hands and feet are visible.

Originally the body was coloured with white enamel. Above Christ's head is a tiny enamel plaque with the letters INRI, standing for the Latin title, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." There is a second inscription in black enamel on the reverse of the cross. This translates as "By your cross, save us, Christ."

The second artefact, a small silver cross dating from medieval times, was discovered in South Leverton.

It is also inscribed with a Latin phrase meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews". It was made to be suspended, perhaps as a necklace, or with prayer beads on a rosary.

Both objects were purchased for more than £4,000 funded entirely from donations made to the museum.

Museum Curator, Sam Glasswell said: "These are fantastic additions to the museum's collection. I am so grateful to everyone who has put something in the museum's donation box.

"Even the pennies add up and make it possible for us to acquire important and valuable items like these when they are offered for sale through the Portable Antiquities Scheme."

Deputy leader of the Council and Portfolio holder for Community Prosperity, Keith Isard, said, "The crosses from South Leverton and Tuxford are the latest additions to the invaluable collection used by the staff to do their work throughout Bassetlaw.

"This includes giving talks to any group that asks, help with the Young Potential project at the Regal in Worksop and lending items for display at Worksop's new library.

" The Museum is keen to do more. It's patch extends from Tuxford to Carlton-in-Lindrick to Misterton and we are looking for ways to extend its services across the district."

The museum, owned and operated by Bassetlaw District Council, is on Grove Street in Retford and is open from 10am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Admission is free.

From: http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Star-pieces-museum/article-3152205-detail/article.html

Council’s U-turn on future of parks (Robin Hood Festival)

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE County Council has decided to continue running its Robin Hood Festival and keep a number of specialist park ranger posts open after complaints from the public.

The county council planned to put an end to the festival and make some park rangers redundant to save money in next year’s budget.

But a spokesperson said the council has done a U-turn and revised its savings to the country park service after listening to comments from the public.

The council has to make savings of £187m over the next four years.

The original proposal which identified savings of 47 per cent, has been reviewed by the council and revised to provide a further £200,000, reducing the savings to 34 per cent.

Comments came from a public consultation.

From: http://www.eastwoodadvertiser.co.uk/news/eastwood-kimberley-news/council_s_u_turn_on_future_of_parks_1_2954564

Council could write off £1.7m loan to Museums Sheffield

THE trust running Sheffield's museums has run up a £1.7 million debt to the city council - which may never be paid back.

Sheffield Council's culture department is facing a £1.1 million overspend - as it prepares to write off the debts racked up by Museums Sheffield.

A report to Sheffield Council's cabinet meeting tomorrow outlines the extent of the trust's liabilities.

Eugene Walker, of the council's finance department, said the culture department's overspend was directly due to the money owed to them by Museums Sheffield.

He said: "The forecast overspend assumes the following - that current loans to Museums Sheffield of £787,000 are not recovered, a £650,000 outstanding loan is written off, and that debts in relation to insurance recharges and a change of agent, of £278,000, are written off."

He added that the total debt of £1.715 million was being off-set with £240,000 left over from funding to pay for the failed City of Culture bid, bringing it down to £1.475 million.

Mr Walker said the impact of the debt could also be offset with a £170,000 underspend on the major sporting events budget and a £205,000 underspend in libraries.

The £787,000 loan total includes a £190,000 bailout given to Museums Sheffield by the council in August.

Mr Walker said the trust was not expected to exceed its budget further during this financial year.

Coun Simon Clement-Jones, cabinet member for finance, accepted writing off such a large sum of money was "difficult" as the council makes £219 million of cuts.

But he said: "The Museums Sheffield money simply isn't there and the idea is that the trust can go forward without this millstone around its neck.

"The debt goes back to the cost of revamping Weston Park Museum and we have been trying to get the trust on an even keel ever since, which is necessary to allow it to move forward."

Nick Dodd, chief executive of Museums Sheffield, said: "An independent financial review commissioned by Sheffield Council last year concluded Museums Sheffield is operating efficiently but is critically under-funded for the service it provides.

"The review recognised Museums Sheffield needed a significant cash injection to re-capitalise the charity and solve the cashflow problems which were limiting its business capabilities. Museums Sheffield is also carrying a historic debt related to the development of Weston Park Museum.

"We are working with the council to agree a settlement which reconciles both the funding shortfall and the historic debt with the subsequent loan made by the council.

The details outlined in the cabinet agenda are the subject of negotiation and have yet to be finalised."

Museums Sheffield was set up in 1998.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Council-could-write-off-17m.6701138.jp

 

Town Hall pigeons to be culled in bid to prevent damage to historic building (Retford)

PIGEON problems at Retford Town Hall have led the district council to propose swooping in to start a cull.  Bassetlaw District Council say dead birds and excrement are clogging up guttering at the town hall leading to water leaking into the historic structure.

The plans say a trap is to be set up on a flat roof at the top of the hall and will be baited on weekdays only.  It will be left open and baited on weekends to avoid access problems to the hall and to ensure pigeons did not remain trapped for unnecessarily long periods of time.

In a proposal put to the council's Health and Safety Committee this week, the author says: "Pest Control Officers would be happy to build and install a trap large enough to allow pigeons to be trapped and humanely fed and watered pending euthanasia."

But the report added that the roof of the hall would need to be checked to make sure it will safely support the loads imposed, an area of decking or a parapet rail would need to be installed, a safer ladder would need to be put in place and permission may be needed as the plans include alterations to the outside of the listed building.

Local ornithologist and registered bird ringer, Adrian Blackburn, said he supported the proposal.

"It's been an ongoing problem and the fact is those pigeons should not be there and they are slowly destroying listed buildings," he said.  "The council phoned me around ten years ago about it and they need to get in touch with me again.  The trap would need to be checked regularly as it could catch all sorts of birds, not just pigeons.  The best option would be getting a pair of peregrine falcons on a church roof and they would get the job done very quickly.  Although I'll get some criticism for this view; it needs to be done."

From http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Catch-pigeons-save-historic-Town-Hall/article-3122540-detail/article.html

New site for Sheffield Blitz Memorial

COUNCILLORS responded to a plea by a man who survived the Sheffield Blitz during World War Two by voting for a memorial to victims of the 1940 bombings to be moved or replaced with one in a more prominent position.  Patrick Strafford, aged 85, who was 15 in the blitz and later served in the Normandy Landings aged 19, when he was shot twice, challenged members of Sheffield Council to make the move to honour the 2,000 people killed or injured in the Luftwaffe raids on the city.

He told a hushed Sheffield Council chamber how he managed to make it home from the city centre as enemy planes were overhead - only for a delayed reaction bomb to go off damaging his home after the all-clear had been given and he had gone to bed.

"The ceiling came in," he recalled to councillors.

Mr Strafford said: "A memorial for the civillians killed or injured in the Sheffield Blitz should be prominent - its should be in a central area where people can see it, so that what people went through at the time is not forgotten."

A motion had been put forward to the council meeting yesterday afternoon by Labour Coun Pat Midgley, who represents Manor Castle, that the current memorial at Devonshire Green should be replaced with one in a place that is "more visible and prominent".

Her proposal had cross-party support. Replying to Mr Strafford, Lib Dem leader, Coun Paul Scriven, said: "We do have a memorial but it isn't in as prominent a position as it should be, not just to remind us of the terrible turmoil the city went through but to remind ourselves of the steely determination of so many like you.

"Many people suffered great loss but your example is living testament to the people who were real heroes and were absolutely determined not to be broken."

 

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/New-site-for-Blitz-memorial.6680692.jp

Book Looks Back to the Golden Age of Canals

The black and white image says everything about the decline and fall of two important forms of transport. In the foreground, a safety fence that protected the Great Northern Railway line near Awsworth stands broken and neglected. A bar is missing, a concrete post crumbles dangerously. Below runs the Nottingham Canal which is in an equally sorry state. Patches of reed grow in the shallows and the once crisp and neatly cut bank has begun to invade the waters.On one side lies the decaying remains of a butty barge, once used to carry coal from the shallow mines of Awsworth, Shilo and Bennerley. The year of the photograph is 1975, long after the canal and the railway line were abandoned, no longer seen as viable commercial enterprises.

The photograph is one of more than 100 included in a new Notts County Council publication in the popular Turning Back The Pages series, which is this time looking at the history of Nottinghamshire canals. Compiled by Ray and Joanne Bickel, it begins with the Nottingham Canal which, for a few brief years in the early 1800s, was something of a gold mine for its owners. In 1839, the receipts tallied £12,895. Today that would be worth around £1m. The canal was built in the late 18th Century by William Jessop for a group of prominent Nottingham businessmen to link the city, and its commercial wharves on the River Trent, with Langley Mill to serve collieries and quarries along the route. It was a major undertaking, covering more than 14 miles with 19 locks and 34 bridges, at a cost of around £80,000 (£7.2m). It was opened in 1796 and business boomed. Producers along the route were able to get material out much faster than before. The age of the canal was a major step forward in England's industrial revolution. But it was short-lived. As the canal business reached its peak in 1839, along came the railways and within five years, receipts had plummeted. The canal was bought by the Ambergate and Manchester Railway and struggled along for the next few decades, but by the turn of the 20th century, trade was negligible. The canal became neglected, traffic ceased and in 1937 it was finally abandoned.

The book remembers notable incidents from the canal's past, especially the tragic accident in 1818 when a boatman dropped a hot clinker onto a leaking store of gunpowder. The ensuing explosion killed eight men and two boys. According to the authors, it was said that a boatman was flung 100 yards across the canal by the blast. And a rare photograph from 1860 shows a sail barge moored in the shadow of Nottingham Castle. The wharves disappeared from the city landscape in 1884 when they were filled in during the construction of Castle Boulevard. Today, only a short section of the Nottingham Canal survives intact, from Meadow Lane Lock to Lenton, where it joins the Beeston Cut. Narrowboats still cruise through, but mainly for pleasure, and the view across what were once open fields, has changed beyond all recognition.

The fascinating book also looks at the history of other important waterways including the Beeston Cut, the Grantham Canal and the Chesterfield Canal. At a launch ceremony held at the County Archives in Castle Meadow Road, County Councillor John Cottee, cabinet member for culture and community, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about canals and how important they were to British history. "They revolutionised the transportation of goods long before we had cars and lorries."

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Book-looks-golden-age-canals/article-3048610-detail/article.html

Turning Back The Pages on Nottinghamshire Canals, Compiled by Ray and Joanne Bickel, Notts County Council publication ISBN: 978-0-902751-66-8 Paperback 56 pages Price £3.95 (plus £3.00 p&p) at: http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/leisure/libraries/libraries-publications.htm

Plan to Cut Open Times at Newstead Abbey

NEWSTEAD Abbey, the ancestral home of Lord Byron, faces reduced opening times as part of cost-cutting drive.

Nottingham City Council is set to change the way it runs the historic site in a bid to make savings and balance the budget - and while the gardens will continue to stay open throughout the year, access to the house will be mainly by appointment for pre-booked groups, conferences, weddings, catering and as an event venue.

The proposals would mean that house tours for the general public will only be available on Sundays (between April and October), on Bank Holidays, for Christmas events and for heritage open weekends.

If given the go-ahead, the plans would mean that house tours for the general public will be available on Sundays (April to October) and Bank Holidays and for Christmas, festive events and heritage open weekends. It is proposed that school groups would continue to access Newstead Abbey as before by pre-booking.

Council bosses say that it costs the authority up to £600,000 a year to run Newstead - but these proposals could halve this.

Earlier this month, the Government announced a 16.5 per cent cut in the council’s budget - which equates to a £60 million reduction in grants for the next financial year.

The new operating model will only be implemented after the 90-day consultation period has concluded.

A spokesman from the council said: “The City Council remains open to discussions on how best to continue to manage the house and site in the longer term and is willing to talk to other partners or operators about the site and how best to preserve and conserve this important part of Nottinghamshire heritage.

“In the meantime, it is proposing to change to the new operating model to reduce its costs and ensure access is maintained to this important heritage site.

“The new arrangements would lead to changes in staffing and operations and consultation is currently underway with affected staff and the trade unions.

“Every effort is being made to re-deploy staff where possible and minimise job losses as result of the changes needing to be made.”

From http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/plan_to_cut_open_times_at_abbey_1_2889857

Women of Steel Share Stories for Oral History Project

Sheffield´s Women of Steel have shared their stories with students from the University of Sheffield to keep alive their memories of working in the city´s steelworks during World War II.

The recordings were part of a wider campaign, led by the Sheffield Star in partnership with Sheffield City Council, for recognition for these women whose efforts in the workshops of the steel industry sustained Britain during the war.

Three women from the campaign met with five students from the University´s School of English this week (13 December 2010) to record their memories to produce permanent digital artifacts. They discussed their role in the factories, what they enjoyed about their work and personal memories of family life and relationships during this time.

The recordings were taken as part of the student´s Collaborative Learning and Teaching module in the School of English which sees students taking their own responsibility for a project. The project is linked to the Storying Sheffield module which sees students working with members of the local community to collect, record and produce stories about their lives in Sheffield through creative representations.

The recordings will be showcased at an event in February which is part of the Off the Shelf History Weekend. The interviews will also be made available to the public on the Storying Sheffield website and will feed into the Council´s current plans to produce a permanent memorial in the city centre to commemorate the women´s efforts during the war.

Holly Willis, a third-year student from the School of English, said: "It´s been so interesting to meet with people who lived through the war. Their experiences are so far removed from anything we have been through and I think it is really important to keep these memories alive and give these women an opportunity to pass their stories on to our generation. I´ve heard some really interesting stories today, and I think the ladies we´ve spoken to have also enjoyed hearing about how our generation view their efforts during the war."
Notes for Editors: The oral histories will be posted on the Storying Sheffield website in the new year.

Off the Shelf Festival - Highlighting History will take place 3 - 6 February 2011.

Author events with historians and local history talks and walks have proved to be one of the most popular elements of the Off the Shelf festival and in 2011, for the first time ever, a mini festival is being organised on this subject. The four day event will include popular tv historians Michael Wood and Amanda Vickery, a talk on Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey, illustrated talks by local historians, history walks, workshops, open days at Sheffield Manor Lodge and Bishops House and more. For details pick up a leaflet from 7 January 2011, visit the website below or telephone 0114 273 4400. http://www.offtheshelf.org.uk/

From: http://www.shef.ac.uk/mediacentre/2010/1818.html