Event - Cemetery steps back in time (Sheffield)

Sheffield General Cemetery is offering visitors the chance to turn back the clock with its latest historical tour.


Taking place on Sunday, August 5 the historical tour will be led by an expert volunteer guide and gives the chance to discover the burial ground’s history, right from its Victorian neo-gothic origins. You’ll also get to hear about some of the cemetery’s residents on the guided walk.

The tour is free and free light refreshments will be served. Donations are welcome.

Meet at 2pm at the Gatehouse at the end of Cemetery Avenue.

From: http://postcodegazette.com/news/9002203256/cemetery-steps-back-in-time-AT-sheffield-sheffield-general-cemetery/

Event - Time Travel with a cast of thousands at Newark Castle

Thousands of people will have the chance to sample some living history at Newark Castle on july 28 when Romans, Saxons and more will be in action for the third and possibly final Time Travel Trent Vale event.


The family event attracts re-enactors from Roman, Saxon and Viking periods right through to World War II as well as featuring storytellers, a chance to explore normally closed castle rooms, storyteller Thor Ewing, medieval heritage and combat group Team Falchion, medieval music and much more.

Re-enactors include The Lone Legionary, English Civil War Camp and Conroi de Vey, a group of enthusiasts who re-create aspects of life in Nottinghamshire from around 1,000 years ago.

Nottinghamshire County Council Conservation Projects Officer Gill Grayson, organising the Heritage Lottery-funded event on behalf of the Trent Vale Partnership, said: “The re-enactors interact with the crowds and put on displays in the arena as well, so you might hear English Civil War muskets firing at some point!”

The first Time Travel event in 2010 attracted around 3,000 people and about 4,000 attended last year. Gill says this year’s event could be more popular than ever: “We took on board the feedback we had last year that people wanted more children’s activities, so we’ve got a lot more children’s activities this year.”

These include face painting and children’s craft activities. There will be talks, demonstrations and displays by local history groups too. “It’s about getting people to find out about the heritage of the Trent and the villages and towns along it,” said Gill.

Volunteers are also wanted to help with the running or stewarding of the event, including people willing to conduct tours of the castle, and drama students willing “to be left to rot in a damp and dingy dungeon.” Give the team a call on 0115 969 6525 if you are interested in helping.

But what promises to be the best Time Travel event yet at Newark Castle could also be the last: “This is probably the final year unless we can find someone who will take on the organising of it. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to put on but that money has to be found from somewhere,” said Gill.

From: http://www.newarknotts.co.uk/time-travel-with-a-cast-of-thousands-at-newark-castle/

Event - Celebrity TV archaeologist Julian Richards comes to Creswell Crags

JULIAN Richards, one of Britain’s leading lights in archaeology, is looking forward to his return to Creswell as part of the Limestone Journeys events celebrating the Festival of British Archaeology.


His talk What’s Under Your Feet? will take place on Saturday July 28.

He said: “I lived near the area when I was younger, and I when I came back a few years ago it reminded me what a special place it is. A lot of interesting discoveries have been made at Creswell Crags since then, so it will be good to see what has changed.”

Julian will be talking about his current work with 43 schools around the country on his What’s Under Your School? project.

“Our aim is to encourage children to look at their surroundings, which often have a lot of history but go unnoticed. There are clues everywhere about the past. We have worked with over 1,000 children so far, so hopefully some of them will take an interest in archaeology when they grow up.”

Julian will also bring his expertise to an archaeological dig at the Elm Tree Inn, Elmton, on the same day.

He said: “One of the exciting things about archaeology is you never know what you will find when you dig, so I’m approaching the dig with an open mind.”

Julian’s talk will take place on Saturday, July 28, from 2:30pm – 4pm, at Creswell Crags. The dig will take place on Saturday at the Elm Tree Inn, Elmton, from 12pm – 4pm. There will be a BBQ of the Elm Tree’s award winning food afterwards.

There will also be a history and archaeology exhibition in St. Peter’s Church held by the local history group. The dig and exhibition continue on Sunday 29th July from 12pm - 4pm.

Also during this weekend of events celebrating the Festival of British Archaeology, join Limestone Journeys for two wonderful walks in the local landscape.

Three Vales Walks is a rare opportunity to explore the archaeology of three limestone vales led by Ian Wall, the Director of Creswell Crags. This stunning walk at 11am, on July 27, starts at Creswell Crags and takes in Markland Grips and Burnhill Grips.

Ancient Settings and New Discoveries is also a guided walk around the picturesque village of Elmton starts at 1.30pm from the Elm Tree Inn.

All events are free and food will be on sale at the BBQ, but booking is essential for the walks and Julian Richards’ talk. Please call (01909) 720378.

From: http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/local/celebrity-tv-archaeologist-julian-richards-comes-to-creswell-crags-1-4776939

News - Memorial work wins accolade (

A heritage society has won an award for its work with children and young people at the Nottinghamshire Heritage Awards ceremony in Nottingham.


Bilsthorpe Heritage Society was honoured for its work on its Miners’ Memorial, erected last year to commemorate the miners who died at Bilsthorpe pit between 1927 and 1997.

When planning the project, the society went to schools and asked the children to design how they thought the monument should look.

After receiving 240 suggestions from pupils, the society shortlisted 12 drawings which were narrowed down to three by an independent panel.

Finally a public vote decided the winner, and children attended the memorial opening.

Mr Trevor Goodman, chairman of Bilsthorpe Heritage Society, said: “It’s a big thing for us, and it’s nice to be recognised. We see it as an award for the whole village rather than just the society.

“A lot of the children we asked have had grandparents or other family connected to the pit, and before the memorial was erected there was nothing to remind them of the village’s history.”

The society, which has about 25 members, also won an inspiration award and was highly commended by Nottinghamshire Heritage Forum and Nottingham Trent University.

Dr Kevin Gould, history lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, said: “The awards reflect the excellence in Nottinghamshire’s heritage and the great work that goes into caring for it, and enabling people to enjoy it.”

The monument cost £14,000 and contains the names of 77 miners who died.

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Memorial-work-wins-accolade

Event - Children free on heritage centre trains (Ruddington)

THE Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre in Ruddington is offering free entry to children this weekend.


One child aged five to 15 may travel free for each fare-paying adult who purchases a return ticket on Saturday and Sunday.

Steam trains will run on Saturday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and diesel trains will run on Sunday at 10.30am, 12.15pm, 2pm and 3.45pm.

All trains will run the full nine-mile length of the line as far as its Loughborough junction.

The Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre is signposted off the A60 Nottingham to Loughborough Road in Ruddington, just south of the traffic lights.

For timetables and special events go to www.gcrn.co.uk or call 0115 940705.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Children-free-heritage-centre-trains/story-16589694-detail/story.html

News - Restored works’ heritage visit (Sheffield)

A HISTORIC cutlery works in Sheffield which has been the focus of a major restoration project is being visited by the head of English Heritage next week.


The Grade II* listed Joel’s Yard, on Well Meadow Street, is set to be paid a visit by Baroness Andrews next Thursday after English Heritage donated £200,000 towards repairs at the site.

Joel’s Yard, once classed as a ‘building at risk’, has been taken over by a private developer and transformed into flats.

Repairs included reinstating a cobbled courtyard so the workshops are closer to their original state.

Another restoration project is also starting next door at North Yard, also a former cutlery factory which includes a crucible shop, forge and cutler’s smithy.

English Heritage has offered a grant of £300,000 towards the refurbishment which will see the creation of nine new homes.

From: http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/news/local/restored-works-heritage-visit-1-4767855

Event - Guided tour of Worksop Priory Gatehouse

There will be free guided tours of Worksop Priory gatehouse today at 2pm and 4pm as part of the Archaeology Weekend hosted by the Priories Historical Society at the Priory for this years CBA Festival of British Archaeology.