tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42683262104690512352024-03-14T18:49:02.945+00:00Curiouser and CuriouserTales from Cheshire Archives and Local StudiesCheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-76636740502359257372023-05-02T09:45:00.001+01:002023-05-02T09:49:29.687+01:00Records of Royalty<span style="font-family: arial;">Ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III, we’ve been looking at some of the records held at Cheshire Archives and Local Studies related to kings and queens of the past. Our earliest records date from the 12th century, so there are plenty of monarchs to choose from! Here is just a flavour of what you can find at Cheshire Record Office.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We have original photographs of royal visits to Cheshire throughout the 20th century, from King Charles as Prince of Wales back to his great-great-grandfather King Edward VII at the start of the 1900s. Many are available to search online at <a href="http://www.cheshireimagebank.org.uk/">Cheshire Image Bank</a>. This selection shows the new King (then Prince of Wales) at Chester Castle in 1973; Queen Elizabeth II visiting Chester Royal Infirmary in 1957; King Edward VIII (also as Prince of Wales) visiting Nantwich in 1926 and King George V meeting some Brownie Guides in Frodsham in 1925.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMTp_XTvYAwiIMrSJJXF7Ka1txmuR65qMoVyUF56eN3tFnnYgGiACrYLJrogkWhWTagWNdiLvrDxpXDPL2ElzfIam2aiYToG1fyVkoWGonk8do0aEyha-zxpdbfvfJUTvF3ETAiR1gQdR7XtwCFJADCWT1jhieu_L3ZtUNRVS9wkyflvpRZ_uhwb0rQ/s3223/c14022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3223" data-original-width="2345" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMTp_XTvYAwiIMrSJJXF7Ka1txmuR65qMoVyUF56eN3tFnnYgGiACrYLJrogkWhWTagWNdiLvrDxpXDPL2ElzfIam2aiYToG1fyVkoWGonk8do0aEyha-zxpdbfvfJUTvF3ETAiR1gQdR7XtwCFJADCWT1jhieu_L3ZtUNRVS9wkyflvpRZ_uhwb0rQ/w146-h200/c14022.jpg" title="Chester Castle: HRH Prince Charles, 19 October 1973 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c14022)" width="146" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-7PHZlvawZSUy7l0QA6TkHG7O2GG3CBHWy5rnc6bEmzr7y1ztr43vKcGRM6tVooMb-5U3T1b1DgxCA-FTJczk0udDppAdTZ-OZ4zXLYFLQIOgZsrrfUWUrGMOb2pnOudK8jRVOrypjzIuYTl52TcmY4j0n_N8s_iEhFXl1f5rfsqmJWf856fI7k-Sg/s2880/c13727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2077" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-7PHZlvawZSUy7l0QA6TkHG7O2GG3CBHWy5rnc6bEmzr7y1ztr43vKcGRM6tVooMb-5U3T1b1DgxCA-FTJczk0udDppAdTZ-OZ4zXLYFLQIOgZsrrfUWUrGMOb2pnOudK8jRVOrypjzIuYTl52TcmY4j0n_N8s_iEhFXl1f5rfsqmJWf856fI7k-Sg/w144-h200/c13727.jpg" title="Chester Royal Infirmary: HM Queen Elizabeth II, 11 July 1957 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c13727)" width="144" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhl1DkbEK93tusNYuwO4olNvdLOphgfqr-BdgTVD3888lscuK1Bk3al2_medW-iUBRFRLpx3GPB_7h-quqZZndOmG16Y1xvRt_m9xYPVPf6bnO8IgkVfmf_4mjgzZHbIOcwgxNCBwFm7W0wbUZHFjkqYPfWUBXtygCznQSYn6y4NM8iMKf9CjsMKwFA/s3729/c07919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2371" data-original-width="3729" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhl1DkbEK93tusNYuwO4olNvdLOphgfqr-BdgTVD3888lscuK1Bk3al2_medW-iUBRFRLpx3GPB_7h-quqZZndOmG16Y1xvRt_m9xYPVPf6bnO8IgkVfmf_4mjgzZHbIOcwgxNCBwFm7W0wbUZHFjkqYPfWUBXtygCznQSYn6y4NM8iMKf9CjsMKwFA/w200-h127/c07919.jpg" title="Nantwich: HRH The Prince of Wales meets ex-servicemen on parade, 20 October 1926 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c07919)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnq4-HcY4RKwMJ2MwM0kesELyczyjyv4yckT2RDSEkc08HRmRjGS9WCX-X-IK0ipwczKHhNi_cE2E-RlhJamGTR1E80Yrkbs8VElx90vtijbCf3wW2TMLqQZY8nu-Oa8qPbCXD54ReG9IxPOCf_Y25DV3C8lJIct1lkqQP3e5tU9UydmZ1Bfl6AZn-g/s3703/FD03676.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2189" data-original-width="3703" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnq4-HcY4RKwMJ2MwM0kesELyczyjyv4yckT2RDSEkc08HRmRjGS9WCX-X-IK0ipwczKHhNi_cE2E-RlhJamGTR1E80Yrkbs8VElx90vtijbCf3wW2TMLqQZY8nu-Oa8qPbCXD54ReG9IxPOCf_Y25DV3C8lJIct1lkqQP3e5tU9UydmZ1Bfl6AZn-g/w200-h118/FD03676.jpg" title="Frodsham: King George V's visit to Frodsham, 8 July 1925 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: FD03676)" width="200" /></a></div><br />Our Local Studies collection holds a wealth of books and pamphlets commemorating such visits and marking other significant occasions. There is extensive material about Queen Victoria, for example. There are documents linked to major events, such as the Mayor of Chester’s Proclamation of Accession (ref: 226498), a limited edition book of <i>The Celebrations at Winsford of on the Occasion of the Jubilee of HM Queen Victoria </i>(ref: 201682) and pamphlet <i>How Loyal Macclesfield and the District Celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria 22nd June 1897 </i>(ref: 115520). More widely, we have archives on a range of items linked to Victoria - anything from her diamond jubilee being marked with Chester’s famous Eastgate Clock, to the opening of places like Victoria Park in Widnes in her honour.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov37VuBYTaFriwqQf46oUr2CkRz_24bnBAz3C0-lIk12sgaxy_4Gvwyn0Z3fad963qyC5VGh22B_2Z0S6Vxc-aYHXLEOKlpIFdufPijrelfllz7B9TOXAvk7w6-E55cHzPDH21xt07h-MHPEAR218LvcVTI-xAzJPEjdXlGZB4xSM_M1VHB1HnSYG5A/s3635/226498%20Victoria%20proclamation.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3635" data-original-width="2620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov37VuBYTaFriwqQf46oUr2CkRz_24bnBAz3C0-lIk12sgaxy_4Gvwyn0Z3fad963qyC5VGh22B_2Z0S6Vxc-aYHXLEOKlpIFdufPijrelfllz7B9TOXAvk7w6-E55cHzPDH21xt07h-MHPEAR218LvcVTI-xAzJPEjdXlGZB4xSM_M1VHB1HnSYG5A/w231-h320/226498%20Victoria%20proclamation.JPG" title="Proclamation of the Accession of Queen Victoria, 1837 (ref: 226498)" width="231" /></a></div><br />We hold letters patent (a written order issued by a monarch) from Queen Victoria in 1845 to the Mayor of Chester (Richard, Marquis of Westminster) whom she addressed as ‘our most dear cousin'. They were attached with a great seal made of leather, one side of which has an imprint of the queen enthroned, the other shows her on horseback.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WffwQUIY530dSOQy_rpZOC6A0fENaiOcS1H6FyfBpwbmifgSXj8ZEjGQ5zRcbs3K6D220jKsWdzSIWLopEy5yHzyeA4_PH3mSHnsm_ZYrjnCQF9rP8TefwOTweHSCh1yEXbuR2_njFV4obVCxkHnw_P1yrnXAKooHZCIrPEfFYxbXZMSr1OfKkYhBw/s3861/ZQJC_3a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3861" data-original-width="3845" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WffwQUIY530dSOQy_rpZOC6A0fENaiOcS1H6FyfBpwbmifgSXj8ZEjGQ5zRcbs3K6D220jKsWdzSIWLopEy5yHzyeA4_PH3mSHnsm_ZYrjnCQF9rP8TefwOTweHSCh1yEXbuR2_njFV4obVCxkHnw_P1yrnXAKooHZCIrPEfFYxbXZMSr1OfKkYhBw/w199-h200/ZQJC_3a.JPG" title="Leather seal from Letters Patent from Queen Victoria to the Mayor of Chester, 1845 (ref: ZQJC 3)" width="199" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YP1nNWiRf4TLRhGRyaRiqOS5IBx8A-UjaU4VVzvZaBbLoP9Vep39XlgqFQBDWE_4JTS-XurrPOxuy-u7vzOGZ4DvY9iUsBYC8b_c_nWShCc7yOW20OlBwJszJv-zfYdwzR89eeqzEqF5tjHCNn0rIJU1sIMDLvbKR79jGxqNtAn3E5zEilQQjX6FcQ/s3902/ZQJC_3b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3902" data-original-width="3898" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YP1nNWiRf4TLRhGRyaRiqOS5IBx8A-UjaU4VVzvZaBbLoP9Vep39XlgqFQBDWE_4JTS-XurrPOxuy-u7vzOGZ4DvY9iUsBYC8b_c_nWShCc7yOW20OlBwJszJv-zfYdwzR89eeqzEqF5tjHCNn0rIJU1sIMDLvbKR79jGxqNtAn3E5zEilQQjX6FcQ/w200-h200/ZQJC_3b.JPG" title="Leather seal from Letters Patent from Queen Victoria to the Mayor of Chester, 1845 (ref: ZQJC 3)" width="200" /></a></div><br />The seals of many other monarchs are contained in our collections - the earliest dates from the reign of King Henry II in 1175 or 1176 (ref: ZCH 1). Only a fragment now remains - perhaps understandable for something made 850 years ago!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqofP08MX7or0tAEadFxrtFZ1OZwV2sozlYtgGfnSQy_0_AZWNWaDJ-a-2SC5PZl9z3CuMVkd1E9hxt3hJJARCrFeTMw-Vb4SXfQ3b-WVDMqGnmNUK5yC--oPTYT6aLHdgZF5J0IKR4ycZmqrz2qM9bKQH-PYdPd2arxfLBjHZvaTM9QvFOP_5x8Fgg/s3117/ZCH_1_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1910" data-original-width="3117" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqofP08MX7or0tAEadFxrtFZ1OZwV2sozlYtgGfnSQy_0_AZWNWaDJ-a-2SC5PZl9z3CuMVkd1E9hxt3hJJARCrFeTMw-Vb4SXfQ3b-WVDMqGnmNUK5yC--oPTYT6aLHdgZF5J0IKR4ycZmqrz2qM9bKQH-PYdPd2arxfLBjHZvaTM9QvFOP_5x8Fgg/w320-h196/ZCH_1_1.jpg" title="City of Chester charter with seal (ref: ZCH 1)" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is the seal of King Richard III, from a medieval charter granting remission of Chester rents due to the King. The seal constitutes the signature of the monarch, and shows Richard with his sword and shield on a horse (ref: ZCH 30).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JorR7sOdCkXs_9DfJ_3epdoFf0PZ1GK0iKRRXFZPYBt99VCzkvLrcqGCYQWCnqpDeH-PBpevWlyR8L0bLf-ETEqGRfwGmCI_XNirwWw-v2on98US9EIkGcNmMGCILdrLVWU3K8wfuDhC/s3435/ZCH_30_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2835" data-original-width="3435" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JorR7sOdCkXs_9DfJ_3epdoFf0PZ1GK0iKRRXFZPYBt99VCzkvLrcqGCYQWCnqpDeH-PBpevWlyR8L0bLf-ETEqGRfwGmCI_XNirwWw-v2on98US9EIkGcNmMGCILdrLVWU3K8wfuDhC/w200-h165/ZCH_30_1.jpg" title="Letters patent granting remissions of rents due to the King because of impoverishment in Chester due to the harbour being damaged through the silting up of the River Dee (ref: ZCH 30)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoHXlK_pSET05WQlskrjnKEFjiyfl2kVwCCbrBR8UdqAY7P2H6dIxCiy6sRcKHbBVKFiXUqHUjh2_th4_E68TQxfI_FoADOfm3aaxTFluhknnUQU-hPjovZozcyjecBxdtlxbUybT1GabQUbo0QjYTYnnQQH1CRoNVtLNkUtX2mwtzumPB_SVRUbSkQ/s1768/ZCH_30_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="1768" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoHXlK_pSET05WQlskrjnKEFjiyfl2kVwCCbrBR8UdqAY7P2H6dIxCiy6sRcKHbBVKFiXUqHUjh2_th4_E68TQxfI_FoADOfm3aaxTFluhknnUQU-hPjovZozcyjecBxdtlxbUybT1GabQUbo0QjYTYnnQQH1CRoNVtLNkUtX2mwtzumPB_SVRUbSkQ/w200-h190/ZCH_30_3.jpg" title="Close up of seal, showing King Richard III on horseback (ref: ZCH 30)" width="200" /></a></div><br />The Interregnum of 1649 to 1660 saw a break between Kings Charles I and Charles II, and Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector. We have some archives from that period such as this deed (ref: DDX 181/3) headed ‘Oliver, Lord Protector’ and the unusual accompanying seal depicts an image of Parliament.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeYPoM0cjHgDRi9G7oE-Ns8ftay7pL86Bo8vZVqag4fVfqLGHPmS3tc5PbPIYHPc8qWPmx4S60erYtdzdx66R_nzTjHwFvDYDYU3N66YkN2eUFR-bWe4vTnugyyzT3_jx4MIGy_I8KvxIprK2a6G74CZpt2dVjGVO7FXfG_LPTLl4gbYhUjQe50zQlg/s4755/DDX_181_3_001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3924" data-original-width="4755" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeYPoM0cjHgDRi9G7oE-Ns8ftay7pL86Bo8vZVqag4fVfqLGHPmS3tc5PbPIYHPc8qWPmx4S60erYtdzdx66R_nzTjHwFvDYDYU3N66YkN2eUFR-bWe4vTnugyyzT3_jx4MIGy_I8KvxIprK2a6G74CZpt2dVjGVO7FXfG_LPTLl4gbYhUjQe50zQlg/w200-h165/DDX_181_3_001.JPG" title="Deed headed 'Oliver, Lord Protector', 1655 (ref: DDX 181/3)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnogczboDeA6annrax092kSZWkXSYsK6kaiLOrs3DZ_eWqC8P_hjdXqaCRHSnj5k72yUE_jqJkgffxcNtWzi-TYwO9J_2cIiQHE7Tm1-Y0dRrNEhs4SYVyple0tqqU0XhMbldaQBbHFLP1SHnzI9_g3OEukfZFWCPVAJ5AqLfu3r08bdYSsgiBv9DSQ/s2071/DDX_181_3_003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2071" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnogczboDeA6annrax092kSZWkXSYsK6kaiLOrs3DZ_eWqC8P_hjdXqaCRHSnj5k72yUE_jqJkgffxcNtWzi-TYwO9J_2cIiQHE7Tm1-Y0dRrNEhs4SYVyple0tqqU0XhMbldaQBbHFLP1SHnzI9_g3OEukfZFWCPVAJ5AqLfu3r08bdYSsgiBv9DSQ/w200-h188/DDX_181_3_003.JPG" title="Seal of Oliver Cromwell, 1655 (ref: DDX 181/3)" width="200" /></a></div><br />Sometimes a seal has not survived well, but the documents they were attached to remain in good condition, like the examples below.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRZMjWLNHMg5FelytfrRytmOZcDessBEL0MncdQKGLdz3n7H2CI48RZicBc5kYuWW1n0cu2PqP8De4EQXZA72NmBj4xCZptVLnXj8kZsUR-SHJPgBLLAceAzTyOQcj3MusZfiEa0WL8wUKCJgpb67FbQmzRoInxn6ab9fZEKAqhQrqk_Nzh4BH6BuPA/s4124/ZCH_39_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3117" data-original-width="4124" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRZMjWLNHMg5FelytfrRytmOZcDessBEL0MncdQKGLdz3n7H2CI48RZicBc5kYuWW1n0cu2PqP8De4EQXZA72NmBj4xCZptVLnXj8kZsUR-SHJPgBLLAceAzTyOQcj3MusZfiEa0WL8wUKCJgpb67FbQmzRoInxn6ab9fZEKAqhQrqk_Nzh4BH6BuPA/w200-h151/ZCH_39_1.jpg" title="City of Chester charter: Letters Patent by King Charles II re-constituting the Corporation of the County of the City of Chester, nominating Sir Thomas Grosvenor as Mayor and appointing other officers, 1685 (ref: ZCH 39)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aatBH8kAvhE6yPZlGAmUnT8ApQ_RPKob2je6TF0NYxg8sDnkPhFPcQDV-F3BdyBBwJQapv922gb6RKBSgfl1b6CO8mhgP9RZRd986XOgAU5JlS9OR5tL_iuYczLv5RTYnbGfa53XYJUxwekZU8_VCCwXyZuSEHJJvsgE9It7qKerH_n5XXSVwhw9iQ/s3319/ZCH_42_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="3319" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aatBH8kAvhE6yPZlGAmUnT8ApQ_RPKob2je6TF0NYxg8sDnkPhFPcQDV-F3BdyBBwJQapv922gb6RKBSgfl1b6CO8mhgP9RZRd986XOgAU5JlS9OR5tL_iuYczLv5RTYnbGfa53XYJUxwekZU8_VCCwXyZuSEHJJvsgE9It7qKerH_n5XXSVwhw9iQ/w200-h166/ZCH_42_1.jpg" title="City of Chester charter: Letters Patent by King George III empowering the Mayor of Chester to nominate and appoint with the consent of any three aldermen a Deputy Mayor, 1803 (ref: ZCH 42)" width="200" /></a></div><br />The one above left is a charter that includes a portrait of King Charles II in oils. It is embellished with ornate gilt designs and dates from 1685 (ref: ZCH 39). The other charter (above right) dates from 1803 in the reign of King George III (ref: ZCH 42) - it has engraved borders and also has a portrait of the King in the initial letter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We are the proud custodians of some 'letters close' of Queen Elizabeth I - these are unopened letters dating from May 1583 (ref: DSS 3991/329). As opposed to letters patent, letters close were personal, and were delivered folded and sealed so only the recipient could read their contents. Elizabeth’s signature is visible on other documents however, such as this one from our Cholmondeley Estate collection (ref: DCH/X/15/4). The document is bound in a leather volume embossed with the initials ‘ER’ – not dissimilar to those used in the cypher of Queen Elizabeth II that we’ve been used to seeing over the past 70 years, except from the 1560s!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gjrk5Av1xiBVd00FyWbz75B9-sqrDs6IkvzyjyBYSXJ9VczLJLfar2x0DvW7FLhuK9ZccXvh4eYyoKkS-M-MmK5KU5WVv-8S04Z5ftOLTOfbqWt0zE5u5ylAqukyPEom_tUaEDd2mHE2GCZqhZdPX6yFaE1TdzLBrdG4OOLYlYUjmIyrQV3oXJiFBA/s3322/DCH_X_15_4_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3322" data-original-width="2280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gjrk5Av1xiBVd00FyWbz75B9-sqrDs6IkvzyjyBYSXJ9VczLJLfar2x0DvW7FLhuK9ZccXvh4eYyoKkS-M-MmK5KU5WVv-8S04Z5ftOLTOfbqWt0zE5u5ylAqukyPEom_tUaEDd2mHE2GCZqhZdPX6yFaE1TdzLBrdG4OOLYlYUjmIyrQV3oXJiFBA/w138-h200/DCH_X_15_4_1.JPG" title="Instructions for the Council of Wales, leather bound, royal arms, initials and decorative border on covers, signatures of Elizabeth I on title page and end of first section, 1564 & 1570 (ref: DCH/X/15/4)" width="138" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiveX5A_oIdoQgISMvSpl0JmE7qP-4G4jh5_zTuAXir5r0zCkB090YSQhz31vz_zULBnw4rc-LEc2ooPFJudQRCIK1npus8UJSIs4L6HaHeUs3VuyiTaABPqxEI6PgFX1L2yBLNOQ5TWDlZwJ3SRNhszaiX03VNmIZ90jPecSIR-ZwopnBU2zQfZr6g/s3284/DCH_X_15_4_2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3284" data-original-width="2191" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiveX5A_oIdoQgISMvSpl0JmE7qP-4G4jh5_zTuAXir5r0zCkB090YSQhz31vz_zULBnw4rc-LEc2ooPFJudQRCIK1npus8UJSIs4L6HaHeUs3VuyiTaABPqxEI6PgFX1L2yBLNOQ5TWDlZwJ3SRNhszaiX03VNmIZ90jPecSIR-ZwopnBU2zQfZr6g/w133-h200/DCH_X_15_4_2.JPG" title="Instructions for the Council of Wales signed by Queen Elizabeth I, 10 December 1564 (ref: DCH/X/15/4)" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLdCRq56i-DGqm-fSnL3Zy9dZYFfsuX1TOQxG2JUU5rCVhnJdcSqT4jd-rpKjC9lSTFyNRsZPCg46dcageqIFaszn4a5N7ncnggh24P3nwr4OfKdoPuJ_kZAhPDCy7z24KpQKnZstpyqhXYz2TwUAXX956XC0lVRC1NAR_ic0zSvlJkq_H8AEOWSHIw/s3208/DCH_x_15_4_3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3208" data-original-width="2179" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLdCRq56i-DGqm-fSnL3Zy9dZYFfsuX1TOQxG2JUU5rCVhnJdcSqT4jd-rpKjC9lSTFyNRsZPCg46dcageqIFaszn4a5N7ncnggh24P3nwr4OfKdoPuJ_kZAhPDCy7z24KpQKnZstpyqhXYz2TwUAXX956XC0lVRC1NAR_ic0zSvlJkq_H8AEOWSHIw/w136-h200/DCH_x_15_4_3.JPG" title="Instructions for the Council of Wales signed by Queen Elizabeth I, 27 May 1570 (ref: DCH/X/15/4)" width="136" /></a></div><br />Other monarchs’ signatures are held on a variety of documents at Cheshire Record Office too – for instance, the writing on the top left of this document is the signature of Elizabeth’s father, King Henry VIII – it is a warrant to release the Abbot of St Werburgh’s Cathedral from financial obligations, and dates from 1510 (ref: EDD/3913/20). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMbxNd3k2BfuzR2BfdKmqelFAHuExUOE8L0-V91cQRDqZgooIr4FEqHDi1F4nk8ZtSkC9Ao_9etSn_UnxpG4jj6iIxVO_8POw6vBmTydkvCq0H1bJ91tbeUtcVlSUvJb34QkCq2ZV2sh3RBEfKUGn-M47xG-kelI9niTeMB6LH25tVQPWIkFFhRflPg/s4212/EDD_3913_20_3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="4212" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMbxNd3k2BfuzR2BfdKmqelFAHuExUOE8L0-V91cQRDqZgooIr4FEqHDi1F4nk8ZtSkC9Ao_9etSn_UnxpG4jj6iIxVO_8POw6vBmTydkvCq0H1bJ91tbeUtcVlSUvJb34QkCq2ZV2sh3RBEfKUGn-M47xG-kelI9niTeMB6LH25tVQPWIkFFhRflPg/w320-h222/EDD_3913_20_3.JPG" title="Warrant from Henry VIII to release the Abbot of St Werburgh’s from financial obligations, 31 March 1510 (ref: EDD 3913/20)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Queen Anne’s handwriting is a little easier to read – this is her signature on a Royal Commission relating to the governor of Chester castle dating from 1702 (ref: DSS 1/3/37). The same can be said of King James I’s signature, shown on this 1609 correspondence about game in Delamere Forest. (ref: DAR/A/3/13)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqR8NKLVWjbW9ydV0iAUjgdEiiAq87n9mbKaiKq7-e6VFMWSclkC7y5uy3SexdB7nG-07lKSZA7yQmudjyjOaGcrLq-_1lY1nZ-MfHvGNYkEqSdE2MqFDm56JB38qF3RCh7M9oiX_I8CSTizsS_fofwcjAw12US_v6f_REPY0z387AK_5pqpL9LPylw/s4943/DSS_1_3_3_37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3848" data-original-width="4943" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqR8NKLVWjbW9ydV0iAUjgdEiiAq87n9mbKaiKq7-e6VFMWSclkC7y5uy3SexdB7nG-07lKSZA7yQmudjyjOaGcrLq-_1lY1nZ-MfHvGNYkEqSdE2MqFDm56JB38qF3RCh7M9oiX_I8CSTizsS_fofwcjAw12US_v6f_REPY0z387AK_5pqpL9LPylw/w200-h156/DSS_1_3_3_37.JPG" title="Royal Commission with signature of Queen Anne, 1702 (ref: DSS 1/3/37)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhbZx6lKHqaPerQitAhcw98XuE1zrrNRTLZ0GxjuG6wywnslnm29ryv35Zo0z_Sjlx48eHmUx4kPO8-1FctkYCvWFTUBFKbEBN6ieZaaxVxLetzfSqb8ySyAfiK7pHSNLO4js10ov3QtaRoyzJ1N7TUNSh38jmvMqIjrqzU5pIxqT9GyaRIxYdsCMvg/s4351/DAR_A_3_13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3081" data-original-width="4351" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhbZx6lKHqaPerQitAhcw98XuE1zrrNRTLZ0GxjuG6wywnslnm29ryv35Zo0z_Sjlx48eHmUx4kPO8-1FctkYCvWFTUBFKbEBN6ieZaaxVxLetzfSqb8ySyAfiK7pHSNLO4js10ov3QtaRoyzJ1N7TUNSh38jmvMqIjrqzU5pIxqT9GyaRIxYdsCMvg/w200-h142/DAR_A_3_13.JPG" title="Sign manual, King James I, 12 November 1609 (ref: DAR/A/3/13)" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><br />Coming a little more up to date, a copy of George VI’s signature was included on a card sent to schoolchildren to commemorate the official Second World War Victory Celebrations, which took place on 8th June 1946. The back of the cards had space for children to note down their own family’s war record. An example is held in our collection from Boughton St Paul’s Girls and Infants school in Chester (ref: ZDES 12/27).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VDC7VeiW_qsnEjbZr1UHZhJwz-qfdpaSHPpwIgpLhnXilphmQh0Y2Y5Jo-CD1ZHmZukwYGjhgE8ObMynVtcwnh-7ruEWC0CA_9dspgCpYP1MSLIttJKLKq1o6gtSMW9DXee1ZAN7uecj80vZ-9lSuxx_vDf8w44SXRzCq10qrMEq5qxsgjcruJABew/s3714/ZDES_12_27_001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3714" data-original-width="2373" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VDC7VeiW_qsnEjbZr1UHZhJwz-qfdpaSHPpwIgpLhnXilphmQh0Y2Y5Jo-CD1ZHmZukwYGjhgE8ObMynVtcwnh-7ruEWC0CA_9dspgCpYP1MSLIttJKLKq1o6gtSMW9DXee1ZAN7uecj80vZ-9lSuxx_vDf8w44SXRzCq10qrMEq5qxsgjcruJABew/w204-h320/ZDES_12_27_001.JPG" title="Letter sent to schoolchildren by King George VI, 8 June 1946 (ref: ZDES 12/27)" width="204" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLehB-oUtRfCJqpxdJXYR9UkVvglw1bNq4Z8iiFHuFDXMs1JOrrqBCP8BNIl80EV6HxSUvDUrIivgpTemjFpeWOxL3v9dUbHptQYkLWITaObsPzZ1DIDPbaHsVLC5eKHiDWHzscmuOrG16cAkBnyfgVieJCNPKtxG9dkjDnnxSQJXHyYRZARF5nwxxw/s3688/ZDES_12_27_002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3688" data-original-width="2368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLehB-oUtRfCJqpxdJXYR9UkVvglw1bNq4Z8iiFHuFDXMs1JOrrqBCP8BNIl80EV6HxSUvDUrIivgpTemjFpeWOxL3v9dUbHptQYkLWITaObsPzZ1DIDPbaHsVLC5eKHiDWHzscmuOrG16cAkBnyfgVieJCNPKtxG9dkjDnnxSQJXHyYRZARF5nwxxw/w205-h320/ZDES_12_27_002.JPG" title="Letter sent to schoolchildren by King George VI, 8 June 1946 (ref: ZDES 12/27)" width="205" /></a></div><br />There are many Cheshire documents related to the Coronation of each monarch (except of course Edward VIII who abdicated before he was crowned) from souvenir programmes like those produced by the Borough of Crewe to commemorate the coronation of King George VI in 1937 (ref: 230556); a printed handbill celebrating the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838 with a programme of events in Chester, including a procession and a display of fireworks on the Roodee, ref: 231779); and minutes and papers of Congleton’s preparations for the coronations of King George IV, Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, from 1820 to 1902 (ref: LBC/47/6). The excerpt below shows careful planning for a public dinner and tea party in 1838. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And to celebrate the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II </span><span style="font-family: arial;">in 2022</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, Cheshire Archives and Local Studies published</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> a</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-platinum-jubilee.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">blog</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> which includes lots of 1953 coronation memorabilia from across the county.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWbt3P2pJwtJZV_vCfm5v1-4t1vlFGCsSOlzVtN_0bNs47J_TDK_dDkImeD-oAB07hAWtvLvl4O58ud9UKZhZVC0C07f_GL2FY1Had5djlbfjBfH11jyOB3Q-Y8DzZpXS9pt0qyxs_3aM61tsvX-roVRLi-AiXEbo1Xav7sCWpaZ0O2LzZpL8TN6J0g/s3655/230556%20Crewe%20George%20VI.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3655" data-original-width="2294" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWbt3P2pJwtJZV_vCfm5v1-4t1vlFGCsSOlzVtN_0bNs47J_TDK_dDkImeD-oAB07hAWtvLvl4O58ud9UKZhZVC0C07f_GL2FY1Had5djlbfjBfH11jyOB3Q-Y8DzZpXS9pt0qyxs_3aM61tsvX-roVRLi-AiXEbo1Xav7sCWpaZ0O2LzZpL8TN6J0g/w126-h200/230556%20Crewe%20George%20VI.JPG" title="Borough of Crewe souvenir programme commemorating the coronation of King George VI, 1937 (ref: 230556)" width="126" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtYa-cG26PnHLkIs2M15xGEFoKYxuxaE-KU4SoyvuGqwdecFSi0G19f2VOOhka7smJGUDG1IpIwU7kuKmrQizglXgvsrJ94HxER5uDcx6QCFeds0hhX9lVYh_nSCXy6X_vC8PJD3N3o041zfT4XqJLh9NKtdt7s5xKtY45Vla-63juFNznOWnJw_bGA/s5738/LBC_47_6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3576" data-original-width="5738" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtYa-cG26PnHLkIs2M15xGEFoKYxuxaE-KU4SoyvuGqwdecFSi0G19f2VOOhka7smJGUDG1IpIwU7kuKmrQizglXgvsrJ94HxER5uDcx6QCFeds0hhX9lVYh_nSCXy6X_vC8PJD3N3o041zfT4XqJLh9NKtdt7s5xKtY45Vla-63juFNznOWnJw_bGA/w320-h199/LBC_47_6.JPG" title="Minutes and papers of Congleton’s preparations for the coronations of King George IV, Queen Victoria and King Edward VII from 1820 to 1902 (ref: LBC/47/6)" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Below is a page from a whole volume of minutes of the Coronation Committee set up by Alderley Edge Urban District Council to plan their proceedings for King George V’s coronation in 1911 (ref: LUAd/2035/6). Men of the village are recorded in committees covering every aspect of the day: from a general committee to a finance one, another for catering, one for sports and procession, another for decorations and medals - and even a bonfire and fireworks committee. Every detail was planned, discussed and scrutinised – even deciding the different categories of races, which included one for people named George or Mary like the new king and queen, a smoking race (we aren’t sure either!) a 50 yard race category for married women, even a ‘veterans’ race – for people aged over forty!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzLQtlXkihJ463WWxXOC_efihaFyO_Vd47UnERhaepwbu1Skg3-9jyEx9BsojDn9SvbVEbcH1IdP9GCe6U4w_TuLX6XK96662_blyGmigN-Tu_H29ufhO5uCY5yihLjj_lhA79wesk1xbjTZsJfjQ3anzRrP8qmyeoAjjgXRbaLE8OdikLJS6Xt06Dw/s3742/LUAd_2035_6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3742" data-original-width="2301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzLQtlXkihJ463WWxXOC_efihaFyO_Vd47UnERhaepwbu1Skg3-9jyEx9BsojDn9SvbVEbcH1IdP9GCe6U4w_TuLX6XK96662_blyGmigN-Tu_H29ufhO5uCY5yihLjj_lhA79wesk1xbjTZsJfjQ3anzRrP8qmyeoAjjgXRbaLE8OdikLJS6Xt06Dw/w197-h320/LUAd_2035_6.JPG" title="Alderley Edge Urban District Council, Coronation of King George V Committee minutes, 1911 (ref: LUAd/2035/6)" width="197" /></a></div><br />For anyone taking part in community celebrations for King Charles’ coronation, we have photographs of previous generations in Cheshire doing a similar thing. This <a href="http://www.cheshireimagebank.org.uk">Image Bank</a> selection shows a lorry in Frodsham decorated for the coronation of George VI, a Malpas street party celebrating that of George V, and coronation celebrations for King Edward VII in Wilmslow in 1902.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYpUpo0MAJrmbXvd0sRyHX9nc8dHZAByx6ivMo56XH-ieBPIaOYVLikKWBW4xhZs_paaIphC4wfy5U1-wt4QNhLgxqrj4pHzaKayUgiCuGsq4SF7YSUF-ZLzvv_vZZ2sk995oZpkWPwjgjfH188X6lhdL6mvFi3scVVZ8aUwmQqvos_r3dXrcwKirHg/s4493/FD02586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3080" data-original-width="4493" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYpUpo0MAJrmbXvd0sRyHX9nc8dHZAByx6ivMo56XH-ieBPIaOYVLikKWBW4xhZs_paaIphC4wfy5U1-wt4QNhLgxqrj4pHzaKayUgiCuGsq4SF7YSUF-ZLzvv_vZZ2sk995oZpkWPwjgjfH188X6lhdL6mvFi3scVVZ8aUwmQqvos_r3dXrcwKirHg/w200-h137/FD02586.jpg" title="Frodsham: Church Street - lorry decorated for the coronation of King George VI, 1937 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: FD02586)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjQbcDHuBejdOOZnleuUuMQKFRbemwHZtviSUAtEtk1teZABqyJigxUk4as6JQvB1yxqxoWdXImfRVlnmuNxQPMDkxAcZmu7cpeDmhavB0LWqn23c_9rUlUMZbztlCrcpQuzbm1R8Wfja6XMIj7G7OOtuZ9b29K606zZAmv6R1xWbU2Ipd9f8Pr3gVg/s3840/c09889.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2478" data-original-width="3840" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjQbcDHuBejdOOZnleuUuMQKFRbemwHZtviSUAtEtk1teZABqyJigxUk4as6JQvB1yxqxoWdXImfRVlnmuNxQPMDkxAcZmu7cpeDmhavB0LWqn23c_9rUlUMZbztlCrcpQuzbm1R8Wfja6XMIj7G7OOtuZ9b29K606zZAmv6R1xWbU2Ipd9f8Pr3gVg/w200-h129/c09889.jpg" title="Malpas: 1911 Coronation Day (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c09889)" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0e9ijKv-00Fpev2ITNiyM5qkfdFjmsTkI_8b1IOiN5f-RJvKBObD9KDEVIduRohuvsy_PuL1ZSGmDYlvlh0kbNc3VvTd44Q0V2VGJjyq4eF6vYDexJhE8YZlyckw0IlZdFyqKZx6gfRvOFl_m0mv4UC-nvr-VpGAuCw7wwR700U4De32fz4kf7OUIQ/s2874/c03570.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="2874" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0e9ijKv-00Fpev2ITNiyM5qkfdFjmsTkI_8b1IOiN5f-RJvKBObD9KDEVIduRohuvsy_PuL1ZSGmDYlvlh0kbNc3VvTd44Q0V2VGJjyq4eF6vYDexJhE8YZlyckw0IlZdFyqKZx6gfRvOFl_m0mv4UC-nvr-VpGAuCw7wwR700U4De32fz4kf7OUIQ/w320-h209/c03570.JPG" title="Wilmslow: Tatton Arms, Styal Road - coronation celebrations for King Edward VII, 1902 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c03570)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Whatever you’ll be doing to mark 2023’s event, we wish you an enjoyable Coronation weekend! <br /></span><br /> </div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-44181590022359269462023-04-18T09:18:00.000+01:002023-04-18T09:18:24.521+01:00A Grand Day Out in Chester: celebrating 100 years of the new Queens Park Suspension Bridge<span style="font-family: arial;">This year we celebrate 100 years of one of the most significant landmarks in Chester. We have looked back through newspaper reports and records held at Cheshire Archives and Local Studies to relive the local anticipation and excitement that surrounded the opening of the new Queens Park suspension bridge.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There had been an older bridge in existence since 1852 and it was used as a private bridge that provided a connection between the Queens Park Estate and the city and avoided a longer route round via Handbridge. The decision was made to replace the structure with a new bridge and demolition of the old bridge began in August 1922.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">On <b>18th April 1923</b>, the new Queens Park suspension bridge was officially opened by the Mayor of Chester, the Sheriff and aldermen of the city. Crowds gathered along both banks of the river and the steamers on the river were crowded with people too. One of the headline articles of the Chester Chronicle on 21st April 1923 was ‘great crowd witness unusual event’ and the paper reported that ‘the scene on the bridge was one that made a great impression on all who witnessed it’.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">All the City officials were present with the Mayor of Chester, Councillor SR Arthur Hall, presiding over the event. The Sheriff, Chief Constable, City Surveyor and aldermen of the city processed to the bridge from St John School dressed in their formal robes along with the official sword and mace bearers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Mayor gave a speech in which he thanked all the people who had contributed to the construction of the bridge. He thanked the City Engineer, Charles Greenwood, who had developed the design for the bridge. At Cheshire Archives we hold a fascinating photograph album belonging to the City Engineer showing improvements and developments in the city. It includes a number of photographs of the early construction of the bridge.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzoqi5hoGH4dzIOwmZjDDFVOOODATgmC3Trpb_zadCiVlE6sFgMS3hQq5Gx7LLmR8zqdz8LJYRTX2zBLP6Jv7cBu8OQWJhHbmvDKwdgIzZrosLnzKC7crhDjT4SAo883c3xpK7wrRsHAslEqm4-4AVCVV8D64q1Diw8HrfsLtEVrmVbVz0jZ5VXF4RQ/s2098/ZDS%201059_2_1%20(002).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2098" data-original-width="1282" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzoqi5hoGH4dzIOwmZjDDFVOOODATgmC3Trpb_zadCiVlE6sFgMS3hQq5Gx7LLmR8zqdz8LJYRTX2zBLP6Jv7cBu8OQWJhHbmvDKwdgIzZrosLnzKC7crhDjT4SAo883c3xpK7wrRsHAslEqm4-4AVCVV8D64q1Diw8HrfsLtEVrmVbVz0jZ5VXF4RQ/w245-h400/ZDS%201059_2_1%20(002).JPG" title="City Engineers Works photograph album, 1920s (ref: ZDS 1059/2/1)" width="245" /></a></div><br />The firm of W H Brockelsby of Birkenhead held the contract for masonry and the groundwork foundations and a separate contractor, David Rowell & Co of London, was appointed to create the steelwork. After the tower foundations had been laid, the sections of steelwork were transported to the site and constructed in situ.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The design of the bridge had been previously reported in the Chester Chronicle on 14th April 1923 - it described the bridge as a ‘wire rope stiffened suspension bridge’. It revealed further statistics on the bridge - a total length of 277 feet (beating the old bridge by twelve feet) and a width of 12 feet (twice the width of the old bridge) and finally a load capacity of 160 tons. Further points of interest in the design were copper ball finials on the towers that were designed to weather to a light green colour over time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAJbw1MQADbiaoUMoQU4eYZcEdMMjCjzyQAW1Hrj7Oh7Dl6ncNCfmzVW0e-5Ute4C7Qi_9XBLCsPOGjIoeyJqPLyl6CIM2iDQj92J1fPdV06OvzAKFf3dPjsQHrx9vuStazl02KaQIqaelvbdV_bmEVEz17A7d5mE3YyqZ4QbB_eKu5_ODkTgAh8dRQ/s1876/ZDS%201059_2_7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1876" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAJbw1MQADbiaoUMoQU4eYZcEdMMjCjzyQAW1Hrj7Oh7Dl6ncNCfmzVW0e-5Ute4C7Qi_9XBLCsPOGjIoeyJqPLyl6CIM2iDQj92J1fPdV06OvzAKFf3dPjsQHrx9vuStazl02KaQIqaelvbdV_bmEVEz17A7d5mE3YyqZ4QbB_eKu5_ODkTgAh8dRQ/w400-h261/ZDS%201059_2_7.JPG" title="City Engineers Works photograph album, 1920s (ref: ZDS 1059/2/7)" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Mayor stated that the bridge had to have certain conditions of use and they are listed in the minutes of the City Improvement Committee on 13th April 1923 and show how things have changed over the last one hundred years:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">That no bicycles shall be ridden across the bridge</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">That no barrows, handcarts, or other vehicles other than perambulators and bathchairs, shall be allowed on the bridge</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">That no person shall run about, jump on the bridge, or use the bridge as a diving platform…. or use the bridge in such a manner as to cause unnecessary vibration.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">That no horses or cattle be allowed on the bridge</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Mayor drew attention in his speech to the heraldic shields fixed to the towers which were symbols of the early history of the city. The coats of arms depict the first seven Norman Earls of Chester along with the arms of the Palatinate of Chester. Cheshire Archives hold the original design drawings of the shields (ref: ZCR 715/1-10) and you may have read a <a href="https://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2023/03/behind-scenes-in-conservation-drawings.html " target="_blank">recent blog by our Conservator</a> where she talks about the process of conserving these drawings for future generations to enjoy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEPB6mF9pqtEJtcDc92UWX6YGdgpKCVFhyX0FvG__sg_R48zdXvLfq3u_cKa3dBEwvCLG8AZuOrlhv6G2x-ucrvKetuVStVn_Tff0RnGAuB0k94kYOrPjXNUlCcPKrwlAwTsUDdWa4uGsewu3fBDDnRL5fabanHTK660sbIfYBsR4zoKhEL9e_QmYoQ/s1732/ZCR%20715-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1731" data-original-width="1732" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEPB6mF9pqtEJtcDc92UWX6YGdgpKCVFhyX0FvG__sg_R48zdXvLfq3u_cKa3dBEwvCLG8AZuOrlhv6G2x-ucrvKetuVStVn_Tff0RnGAuB0k94kYOrPjXNUlCcPKrwlAwTsUDdWa4uGsewu3fBDDnRL5fabanHTK660sbIfYBsR4zoKhEL9e_QmYoQ/w400-h400/ZCR%20715-2-2.jpg" title="Coloured full size drawing for the arms of Hugh D'avranches, 1923 (ref: ZCR 715/2/2)" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Sheriff gave a vote of thanks too and said that ‘he hoped it would be appreciated as one of the beauty spots of their wonderful old city of Chester' and ‘would be a credit and source of pride to the citizens of Chester.’</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">When the speeches had concluded, the Mayor moved forward and ‘formally removed the rope obstruction which crossed the bridge and released the union jack which fluttered from the tower above the ancient heraldic symbols’ and announced, ‘it is my pleasure and honour, and I do hereby declare the bridge open.’</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Mayor and company then walked across the bridge and retraced their steps. Then it was the turn of the public and ‘there was a tremendous rush on to the bridge when the barriers were finally removed and there was great competition as to who should be the first across.’ </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally we can leave you with some contemporary sound recordings taken from our Chester Talking Tour which recount the opening of the bridge and the competition to be first across the bridge: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/queens-park-bridge?in=user-578912062-844557951/sets/living-memory-a-talking-tour">Queen's Park Bridge in Living Memory: A Talking Tour of Chester</a> and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/chester-suspension-bridge">Stream Queen's Park Bridge - the Grand Opening by Cheshire Archives & Local Studies </a><br /><br /> <br /></span><br /> </div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-17867130249030264772023-03-15T13:49:00.000+00:002023-03-15T13:49:27.657+00:00Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Drawings of the Heraldic Coats of Arms for Queens Park Suspension Bridge <span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ayVGQvk1MHmdqHf-x11debK-Q3Lk__xmGNipwMxEP3bFBgzee6QqmRDUvCDoq8-RVY9HniitsQIDXuP2B0EctBJHQfXW2xWEktHJ_fautJlQRCwzjFKQUe4KD9jeXORv3xL63V9EMvpwopafMh_lpDMUsaOqsmcXeoTOvLtcxUe_0WUfZYyhkLwXHQ/s2118/1%20Angela%20cleaning%20CR%20715-9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2118" data-original-width="2118" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ayVGQvk1MHmdqHf-x11debK-Q3Lk__xmGNipwMxEP3bFBgzee6QqmRDUvCDoq8-RVY9HniitsQIDXuP2B0EctBJHQfXW2xWEktHJ_fautJlQRCwzjFKQUe4KD9jeXORv3xL63V9EMvpwopafMh_lpDMUsaOqsmcXeoTOvLtcxUe_0WUfZYyhkLwXHQ/w200-h200/1%20Angela%20cleaning%20CR%20715-9.jpg" title="One of our Conservators, Angela, working on a drawing of a Heraldic Coat of Arms (ref: ZCR/715/1-10)." width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQZKO6qWIqCa6a9KDpIU6gxow4sGlYMZBUeSYa8KcSwN32hiiPJCS0JCHZSIAU1wJAtMRprYQaaGM2W2BV3VpomaZK1-TJl2bLAremNA7utePMsR-ch6SxMRNpB6aB5y6JVbj16UC37lItZ7scWePxlC935hVnAfKQOB2_FjGNQ81ZkTUgMuLEQnPOg/s2736/2%20Detail%20of%20CR715-9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQZKO6qWIqCa6a9KDpIU6gxow4sGlYMZBUeSYa8KcSwN32hiiPJCS0JCHZSIAU1wJAtMRprYQaaGM2W2BV3VpomaZK1-TJl2bLAremNA7utePMsR-ch6SxMRNpB6aB5y6JVbj16UC37lItZ7scWePxlC935hVnAfKQOB2_FjGNQ81ZkTUgMuLEQnPOg/w200-h200/2%20Detail%20of%20CR715-9.jpg" title="One of the drawings of the Heraldic Coats of Arms, 1923 (ref: ZCR/715/1-10)" width="200" /></a></div><br />There’s nothing that gets our hearts racing more than being presented with a box of dirty, torn, and tatty plans and being asked to Conserve them! In this instance, a map box containing ten rolled bundles of drawings of the Heraldic Coats of Arms for the ‘new’ Queens Park Suspension Bridge in Chester (ref. ZCR/715/1-10).</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBu3ngDx8dWgIcsHgWAgH37Jf7ODu0g_PuBX__I-E9QYkX6nut_ioGTF8LP-8rHmJevM7rLymVV6xk0xgpYN-tTDfzOpWv7n-kexn_dzUu7gpVkWm9WWaejeZ4I2s9ll75rc8vhUyTGOO8zCBG8I0AsNz07RqO_GgOu7pcl5iSb_jYD5MfZo3kf8GTg/s2736/3%20CR%20715%20before%20cons%20rolled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBu3ngDx8dWgIcsHgWAgH37Jf7ODu0g_PuBX__I-E9QYkX6nut_ioGTF8LP-8rHmJevM7rLymVV6xk0xgpYN-tTDfzOpWv7n-kexn_dzUu7gpVkWm9WWaejeZ4I2s9ll75rc8vhUyTGOO8zCBG8I0AsNz07RqO_GgOu7pcl5iSb_jYD5MfZo3kf8GTg/w200-h200/3%20CR%20715%20before%20cons%20rolled.jpg" title="Bundles of drawings of Heraldic Coats of Arms (ref: ZCR/715/1-10)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMFzlG_GxTL03VctfFvMW6K--pp1OSfXPtxo0uDJL8o0uLXSaLhuJA45nSEnWQ2BLMjK4eL9bSi7IfOQDYxlsoJ7QRD5VvxTDfY57qn9Vi2T36GDoCbaqvz-A1khweD85joj11l4zioO5iQiofZ3iXBx4g2RcfKVFj-PqZNsJJXtZAqw3Xw-7pIPR5Q/s2471/4%20drafts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2471" data-original-width="2470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMFzlG_GxTL03VctfFvMW6K--pp1OSfXPtxo0uDJL8o0uLXSaLhuJA45nSEnWQ2BLMjK4eL9bSi7IfOQDYxlsoJ7QRD5VvxTDfY57qn9Vi2T36GDoCbaqvz-A1khweD85joj11l4zioO5iQiofZ3iXBx4g2RcfKVFj-PqZNsJJXtZAqw3Xw-7pIPR5Q/w200-h200/4%20drafts.jpg" title="Drawing of Heraldic Coats of Arms (ref: ZCR/715/1-10)" width="200" /></a></div><br />What are the drawings of?</i></span></h4><span style="font-family: arial;">The first suspension bridge from the Groves to the new housing at Queens Park was built in 1852. This first bridge was replaced in 1923 by the Corporation at a cost of £7,000. These drawings are of the heraldic coats of arms of eight Norman Earls of Chester which decorate the arches above the bridge. The drawings are by architects F.A. Roberts and P.H. Lawson of 88 Foregate Street, Chester.</span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Why conserve these plans when we have so many others that need our care?</i></span></h4><span style="font-family: arial;">Events, activities and exhibitions are being organised to celebrate the one hundred year anniversary of Queens Park suspension bridge during May and June of this year. These plans, along with other related material, have been chosen by our Archivists’ to support this work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP3MDGn0v4aYeGOaQbNhaUZcVBFZoznmPtiLXmlBRknjR_l0kPp7cCiz8-XO7tm7_aFXDOAb_q1r4Ru8kwoUUYiRgZ9I1YrSaslq8EQACucTrYiYLyTwD7pfWt6xch-nB5C9775F2ODesfwB_f9lXbdfibrCTsTFU0p-8m229alexQIjH8Ojw91bsAw/s2736/5%202023%20photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP3MDGn0v4aYeGOaQbNhaUZcVBFZoznmPtiLXmlBRknjR_l0kPp7cCiz8-XO7tm7_aFXDOAb_q1r4Ru8kwoUUYiRgZ9I1YrSaslq8EQACucTrYiYLyTwD7pfWt6xch-nB5C9775F2ODesfwB_f9lXbdfibrCTsTFU0p-8m229alexQIjH8Ojw91bsAw/w200-h200/5%202023%20photo.jpg" title="Queen's Park Suspension Bridge, Chester, 2023" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3bkRXbVvgnRvvTUzvzd26O-WrUqyoEtJfUsZgZA0Pgg5cuWF0htZZcPVdxCvDsM3WppOeIP-gMhnen4ccCakcsxoeAbNPG5KdDCJRi3L2H01BoCXVYgaYiOf2k0lKYw9N-Exe2rr0p-nkvf4Yy5udXgHgIwNB_k6YToOto-lhLzCSa2Rujlz_gFlWQ/s3785/6%20Simpson%20image.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3785" data-original-width="2844" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3bkRXbVvgnRvvTUzvzd26O-WrUqyoEtJfUsZgZA0Pgg5cuWF0htZZcPVdxCvDsM3WppOeIP-gMhnen4ccCakcsxoeAbNPG5KdDCJRi3L2H01BoCXVYgaYiOf2k0lKYw9N-Exe2rr0p-nkvf4Yy5udXgHgIwNB_k6YToOto-lhLzCSa2Rujlz_gFlWQ/w240-h320/6%20Simpson%20image.JPG" title="A page from a Frank Simpson album showing the Suspension Bridge (ref: ZCR/119/1079/16)" width="240" /></a></div><br />How were the drawings made and what condition are they in? </i></span></h4><span style="font-family: arial;">An outline of the heraldic shield encircled by a wreath was printed onto paper and used as a template for the drawings. The designs have been hand drawn at full scale and coloured. There are eight completed designs with a set of additional pencil drafts of the designs on tracing paper. Media used for the drawings include pencil (for outline and shading), water colour paint and ink.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YKqnANJ1o27VAbk7DQf3lgmdNlxJysBdSCNB63yqpH-xq5yrGvfUb0LFb2aa2NIYQbeLDFiYCRACv8Yg05XTouR95p-xT8kpoMaV32JsSKcwkNCGz014R5CorxfQ_NydnP-Sim4HkVfaEEIzF9v6p_SQ3UCB12djjYhfEVRloaUXn6idEGhqwZWzqw/s2736/7%20CR%20715%20tear.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YKqnANJ1o27VAbk7DQf3lgmdNlxJysBdSCNB63yqpH-xq5yrGvfUb0LFb2aa2NIYQbeLDFiYCRACv8Yg05XTouR95p-xT8kpoMaV32JsSKcwkNCGz014R5CorxfQ_NydnP-Sim4HkVfaEEIzF9v6p_SQ3UCB12djjYhfEVRloaUXn6idEGhqwZWzqw/w200-h200/7%20CR%20715%20tear.jpg" title="Torn drawing of the arms of Ranulf I, Earl of Chester 1120-1128 (ref: ZCR/715/4)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYei4TmEiEQAoItB3tkcdhiMZnZ-Yv3gvEdeFwbRZI5A1p2ILNF_dt6io7RROOrVOljhN1ylXKrW_ZTKk1TvjYWXaLXCiYA6ibNV1fJBLXApbaapJKWDRFd2TMUDN6yPzmpF2htyAoX1PyhGgFSYBlbJeKMciWYzQ1kFLmrEWdVn7TQiEVrjWnccZDew/s2315/8%20Condition.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2315" data-original-width="2315" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYei4TmEiEQAoItB3tkcdhiMZnZ-Yv3gvEdeFwbRZI5A1p2ILNF_dt6io7RROOrVOljhN1ylXKrW_ZTKk1TvjYWXaLXCiYA6ibNV1fJBLXApbaapJKWDRFd2TMUDN6yPzmpF2htyAoX1PyhGgFSYBlbJeKMciWYzQ1kFLmrEWdVn7TQiEVrjWnccZDew/w200-h200/8%20Condition.jpg" title="Torn drawing of the arms of Ranulf I, Earl of Chester 1120-1128, undergoing repair (ref: ZCR/715/4)" width="200" /></a></div><br />Once unrolled, we can assess the condition. Much of the damage has been caused historically by poor handling and storage. We find surface dirt, tears, missing areas (lacunae) and areas of paper degradation, especially along the top and bottom edges.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The conservation treatment consists of cleaning, flattening and repairing the plans so that they can be handled safely, without causing further damage, digitised and exhibited.</span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">How do we remove the surface dirt?</span></h4><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The bread and butter of any Paper Conservators’ work is cleaning, and lots of it! It looks simple, but it takes years of experience (and sore fingers) to develop techniques that work effectively and that don’t cause damage to the original material.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4AIZAm_L4qKIfzVwnOdHAJIsSynsH9ibO_hAi7rkRjjb6s3XQsh4lXgjI6dSu_dHxS-prjPS2MxKvSoYvTKEn1zUsoHNHKR8K9Mwfy__v6uNqgQsvE7cqQdmFk0zplbSNv14PPdOpGz3QOblDTky6BUP29Cc5PghRNjye7HxC1gf__5Rfi4UydTXPg/s2500/9%20CR%20715%20'Ranulf'.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="2500" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4AIZAm_L4qKIfzVwnOdHAJIsSynsH9ibO_hAi7rkRjjb6s3XQsh4lXgjI6dSu_dHxS-prjPS2MxKvSoYvTKEn1zUsoHNHKR8K9Mwfy__v6uNqgQsvE7cqQdmFk0zplbSNv14PPdOpGz3QOblDTky6BUP29Cc5PghRNjye7HxC1gf__5Rfi4UydTXPg/w200-h150/9%20CR%20715%20'Ranulf'.jpg" title="Drawing of the arms of Ranulf III, Earl of Chester 1181-1232 (ref: ZCR/715/7/2)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcW0zcf9aRoX8maV2oVhxxcmDPZLr2wMVb3TPzbOUFYYHRqDoLMuu9UBeDbz4Mw_buA52TPO6dLvriBZV210SLfJs8MzxsHH7ISgFi0lEOWUDdc6iHWQ4D0JYT2F9y5Hg8ycv6Cdb-MuZmsgRN6WwifgzXhmkcGdbo6Sq7fq0JQRL3Zo7Uomzh4f7mA/s2736/10%20CR%20715%20'Ranulf'%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcW0zcf9aRoX8maV2oVhxxcmDPZLr2wMVb3TPzbOUFYYHRqDoLMuu9UBeDbz4Mw_buA52TPO6dLvriBZV210SLfJs8MzxsHH7ISgFi0lEOWUDdc6iHWQ4D0JYT2F9y5Hg8ycv6Cdb-MuZmsgRN6WwifgzXhmkcGdbo6Sq7fq0JQRL3Zo7Uomzh4f7mA/w200-h200/10%20CR%20715%20'Ranulf'%20(2).jpg" title="Drawing of the arms of Ranulf III, Earl of Chester 1181-1232, undergoing cleaning (ref: ZCR/715/7/2)" width="200" /></a></div><br />These drawings were especially challenging to clean as the artist has used pencil for outlining and shading. We need to remove the general surface dirt whilst being careful not to remove the actual pencil. Using thin wedges of vinyl eraser we are able to carefully work around the pencil and remove the surface dirt.</span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>How do we get them flat? </i></span></h4><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Next, we need to ‘flatten’ the rolled plans so that we can repair them. The drawings are placed in a large ‘damp-pack’ to introduce water vapour into the paper in a very controlled and gentle way. This in turn will ‘relax’ the individual paper fibres and make the paper more pliable. Once damp, they are placed under thick sheets of blotting paper and covered with sheets of Perspex, then weighted down to flatten them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDivFPTecVSg9gy-XFjMYaDZPpgD3IDo4WqhNpeAa23RKVxVhtNaYu1dRc2rFnqzntRHqw3jFgQ-kh3i8qtce-0VKIk9wHMzqptSSN3HXI_M0oRnlS10R5cKu8PQuBoKjLzc-eV4lSD-N3KZjKNalq29uzEVfPOLRQkmxb613Z1qd4M7FjHmpwFnX5TA/s879/11-13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="879" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDivFPTecVSg9gy-XFjMYaDZPpgD3IDo4WqhNpeAa23RKVxVhtNaYu1dRc2rFnqzntRHqw3jFgQ-kh3i8qtce-0VKIk9wHMzqptSSN3HXI_M0oRnlS10R5cKu8PQuBoKjLzc-eV4lSD-N3KZjKNalq29uzEVfPOLRQkmxb613Z1qd4M7FjHmpwFnX5TA/w400-h129/11-13.jpg" title="Angela working on flattening the drawing of the arms of John le Scot, Earl of Chester 1232-1237 (ref: ZCR/715/8)" width="400" /></a></div><br />The humidification chamber (damp pack) we use is made up of a layer of clear polyester, a wet layer of capillary matting and a layer of Sympatex (a breathable waterproof membrane) on the top. The same three layers are then placed over that in reverse order, and the document placed in the middle to receive the water vapour and ‘relax’!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>How do we mend the tears and fill in the lacunae?</i></span></h4><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Most of the drawings have some minor tears that need repairing, but a few of them, including ZCR/715/4 for Ranulf I, Earl of Chester, 1101–1120, have suffered more substantial damage. This long horizontal tear was likely to have been caused by someone attempting to unroll the plan. This sort of damage is commonly seen in large paper documents such as maps and plans that have been stored rolled.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOmf0uMOfoW24KNcYEsd4qFVnjGk_tBUwZRqAF_cLXqaYXHzhhqM6i1xh1JPViboG6DZUC54i7aV3uiOYxIQwrbhG6xPg_atH3PFxO8iHXb5sZu-E9_eZCiZ20Kfjt60Sra3ifoWsLUJlqG6iFLCeGe-mnmoMn9Dc-3XY-oF60mgeNJH-1eH5Keo9bQ/s2736/14%20CR%20715%20tear.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOmf0uMOfoW24KNcYEsd4qFVnjGk_tBUwZRqAF_cLXqaYXHzhhqM6i1xh1JPViboG6DZUC54i7aV3uiOYxIQwrbhG6xPg_atH3PFxO8iHXb5sZu-E9_eZCiZ20Kfjt60Sra3ifoWsLUJlqG6iFLCeGe-mnmoMn9Dc-3XY-oF60mgeNJH-1eH5Keo9bQ/w200-h200/14%20CR%20715%20tear.jpg" title="Torn drawing of the arms of Ranulf I, Earl of Chester 1120-1128 (ref: ZCR/715/4)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7LFJhENmKWj3U7zDn9HBLQVNVQErGBxIci7wdnSU3Sba4dCq4dLQ2cDoOosK_vANzTEzbNhxwzg6ekR3k2jrmqIx4rxQGWd0Jx5r3GwZcI_iOrYw6-8RoZ7Y8WKq_CwPHYqYeJWjOYZ6EG6iNHbHuSO23H_zwSnkBIuBjeYGrGBdUL2PPrfzu-n5Sg/s2736/15%20CR%20715%20Detached%20bits.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7LFJhENmKWj3U7zDn9HBLQVNVQErGBxIci7wdnSU3Sba4dCq4dLQ2cDoOosK_vANzTEzbNhxwzg6ekR3k2jrmqIx4rxQGWd0Jx5r3GwZcI_iOrYw6-8RoZ7Y8WKq_CwPHYqYeJWjOYZ6EG6iNHbHuSO23H_zwSnkBIuBjeYGrGBdUL2PPrfzu-n5Sg/w200-h200/15%20CR%20715%20Detached%20bits.jpg" title="Torn drawing of the arms of Ranulf I, Earl of Chester 1120-1128 (ref: ZCR/715/4)" width="200" /></a></div><br />The process begins with cooking some fresh wheat starch paste to use as an adhesive for the paper repairs, which we prepare in the Conservation studio. After cooking and cooling the paste, we sieve it three times to create a super smooth and sticky, but fully reversible paste.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8rL3TIxBb1q7Schsv4FbdvQ27ZEWgz3hmCwWsmjtNYDphS91-4OfgmPLRJW_pLdlMA9S-ouZVtdne2aeuKWggJkNc4RKCg7sZ1mZvAxUV9ZMgpDx05uMy63Ac2Cww6JInxuU2Y9WdenjEMLd6ET82DZaYX0lcNmfXyZ9pEKpMHmzE-dUqekenfk8UQ/s2067/16%20sieving%20paste.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2067" data-original-width="2067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8rL3TIxBb1q7Schsv4FbdvQ27ZEWgz3hmCwWsmjtNYDphS91-4OfgmPLRJW_pLdlMA9S-ouZVtdne2aeuKWggJkNc4RKCg7sZ1mZvAxUV9ZMgpDx05uMy63Ac2Cww6JInxuU2Y9WdenjEMLd6ET82DZaYX0lcNmfXyZ9pEKpMHmzE-dUqekenfk8UQ/w200-h200/16%20sieving%20paste.jpg" title="Angela sieving some wheat starch paste in the Conservation studio." width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDadm6AhdjWj2sQCPFrGdgj27yGqwANx_4kghE8uCW-UyGfTWELErIpzCiXzRLvXo0KURNzED1jAU_-Mj6AJ-te4NBGsAZFdZzj7jhuh84yCoZtSbDPdj2LLyZpLQ86FR2Y1AYKgW39EnXttYSYJfKp5w2NAOe90ndLfMti15Tw7oASoL5EYzXUtpoA/s2502/17%20paste%20in%20red%20pot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2502" data-original-width="2502" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDadm6AhdjWj2sQCPFrGdgj27yGqwANx_4kghE8uCW-UyGfTWELErIpzCiXzRLvXo0KURNzED1jAU_-Mj6AJ-te4NBGsAZFdZzj7jhuh84yCoZtSbDPdj2LLyZpLQ86FR2Y1AYKgW39EnXttYSYJfKp5w2NAOe90ndLfMti15Tw7oASoL5EYzXUtpoA/w200-h200/17%20paste%20in%20red%20pot.jpg" title="Wheat starch paste, ready to use." width="200" /></a></div><br />It can be difficult realigning long tears so that the image area joins up accurately, even when the paper appears perfectly flat. Paper can be affected by levels of high humidity, so any exposure in the past, and during the humidification process can alter the placement of paper fibres making it difficult and sometimes impossible to join them perfectly.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieayYcAJ3JBxaM0ssevKmyJozSDZouMFqExz5Fxbm0ueAv6m5wLwpERigRHQRK6Ucyto0b9gPItdIfZuoe5uWf8lJlEiPNt1RRBYGwwyESv-1U9hj30SjPlFcgUsgtJNNzolQEiM8OQBa__gH-U9nJU54MiiN9vt8SxsS7P82yH2ynPCIpsyInBT6FMA/s880/3%20IMAGES.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="880" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieayYcAJ3JBxaM0ssevKmyJozSDZouMFqExz5Fxbm0ueAv6m5wLwpERigRHQRK6Ucyto0b9gPItdIfZuoe5uWf8lJlEiPNt1RRBYGwwyESv-1U9hj30SjPlFcgUsgtJNNzolQEiM8OQBa__gH-U9nJU54MiiN9vt8SxsS7P82yH2ynPCIpsyInBT6FMA/w400-h127/3%20IMAGES.png" title="The process of repairing a tear on ZCR/715/4: flattening the paper; applying the paste; and the end result!" width="400" /></a></div><br />We apply paste using a small brush to the edges of the tear, working on the image side (the recto) to check on alignment, and work along a small section at a time. This is sometimes called ‘Chasing the tear’! When the edges are joined, we turn the drawings over and adhere a section of Japanese repair paper to support this area from the back (the verso).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>How do we consolidate these repairs? </i></span></h4><span style="font-family: arial;">Adding a support layer on the verso is essential when repairing tears as it adds strength to weak and degraded areas and allows the repaired paper to flex normally without any further damage being caused. We select a Japanese paper (Kozo Shi) of lighter weight but similar colour to the original document. The repaired areas need to be clearly visible but also be sympathetic to the original material.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEqtCnJZ6w2sa6YkWlnIGAjZ_eGT67pHeL-x7bCaO8UqQXE4X4nPsrkTeHlb9JLvxQ4mcGtvQsd92NcV1rC7U9UkVNVWuuF9W3OwCnN9xp6WoJtqiW-Z4esIPDOHh_T8Kk0Vs25GQHZvQnjSnBZ7yEMDceoGU86fQvtFB0fv5CFx3WkgH40Kp50HkBA/s719/21-24%20SQUARE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="714" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEqtCnJZ6w2sa6YkWlnIGAjZ_eGT67pHeL-x7bCaO8UqQXE4X4nPsrkTeHlb9JLvxQ4mcGtvQsd92NcV1rC7U9UkVNVWuuF9W3OwCnN9xp6WoJtqiW-Z4esIPDOHh_T8Kk0Vs25GQHZvQnjSnBZ7yEMDceoGU86fQvtFB0fv5CFx3WkgH40Kp50HkBA/w318-h320/21-24%20SQUARE.jpg" title="Preparing Japanese paper (Kozo Shi) to be used in repairs." width="318" /></a></div><br />Handmade Japanese papers are ideal as they have long fibres and keep their strength when wetted out. We use a mattress needle to score the repair paper to the shape and size we need, wet with a water brush and tear the support out. The resulting long fibred edges make for a strong and sympathetic support layer once pasted down.</span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStAYpAHFvuXuzVRk00N9-bK9GXo7jiDS8_fyc9SxXXotjewdrc2TCmFbLIHFD3wOIyOrsoGVFUm2M0LA4p9FQ-bsei2RAZdfvmqB2h3FHCmr2Hhmy-5uHslOl3Aab9YERzUcKCLQD5k7mk800hm-8ysfM54eraAWymS-NmW7Sh_-LOaokx8aGAgMU-w/s2736/25%20Support%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStAYpAHFvuXuzVRk00N9-bK9GXo7jiDS8_fyc9SxXXotjewdrc2TCmFbLIHFD3wOIyOrsoGVFUm2M0LA4p9FQ-bsei2RAZdfvmqB2h3FHCmr2Hhmy-5uHslOl3Aab9YERzUcKCLQD5k7mk800hm-8ysfM54eraAWymS-NmW7Sh_-LOaokx8aGAgMU-w/w200-h200/25%20Support%20(2).jpg" title="Paper undergoing repair." width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm2shBDR3Y1I62IBBkpytSVqprRXQIf2U0F8bFJWPjluoAsodrEyMWjSAgo6AIO-FdgWopompi5EaUHjgJOElAvLEiDgcw7OdTMmhMtnXzirFzFg0qyBTz3nJeQTrHbPIymZjqhVeB7ByCthrGG7Op8AgC4CpFUBhyWXA-aC7ny32GPc3z3UmnSokMQ/s2736/26%20Support.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm2shBDR3Y1I62IBBkpytSVqprRXQIf2U0F8bFJWPjluoAsodrEyMWjSAgo6AIO-FdgWopompi5EaUHjgJOElAvLEiDgcw7OdTMmhMtnXzirFzFg0qyBTz3nJeQTrHbPIymZjqhVeB7ByCthrGG7Op8AgC4CpFUBhyWXA-aC7ny32GPc3z3UmnSokMQ/w200-h200/26%20Support.jpg" title="Paper undergoing repair." width="200" /></a></div><br />What about the lacunae?</span></i></h4><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We add repair paper to infill and strengthen missing areas. This also includes replacing original material that has become detached. Using a heavier Japanese paper (Bunkoshi) that equals or is a bit lighter than the original and working on a light (illuminated) table; we score the exact area missing with a mattress needle.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0wXmK7xpCdWXY2dUv9UeVXq13AIJJgyp-NGDNXjSLlhEXfnQnn4WSsvOv69CAk3vMLTCi1c3YFfNVEMLg1uXa6FthRyBm0RITwg7ZBmLZ3Rcwn-df6cWU1VeCkKL0sQwrh6_fd5_W3TJ3GZkNC3FFmuL32uCAjtHu4g5QDzuCkg_vl636yhksztjmQ/s1427/27-30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="1427" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0wXmK7xpCdWXY2dUv9UeVXq13AIJJgyp-NGDNXjSLlhEXfnQnn4WSsvOv69CAk3vMLTCi1c3YFfNVEMLg1uXa6FthRyBm0RITwg7ZBmLZ3Rcwn-df6cWU1VeCkKL0sQwrh6_fd5_W3TJ3GZkNC3FFmuL32uCAjtHu4g5QDzuCkg_vl636yhksztjmQ/w400-h99/27-30.jpg" title="Preparing Japanese paper (Bunkoshi) to be used in repairs." width="400" /></a></div><br />We then soften the paper fibres using a Rotring pen filled with water and tear out the infill, add paste to the reverse and adhere in place to fill in the missing area. The repair to this plan is finally complete after the repairs have dried and trimmed with a sharp scalpel. As a final protective measure they are placed into transparent polyester sleeves.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6QxmlU_pecdYfJJtFR_FGJBquwl1OCng17xP7af8BYyv2zcvwwcS51J8I-DLBaf6j9RoPaCVWfWiFraeJF-uLLL6Onts4g0pnIlvt6Zwia32MpCSJiOTMvdWcJwE87H3aKc12LQ3XEFN27DGDqgiIKeEt8j-HKyPUr-QJNS46ccdHJuZk4w1S9ji6g/s2635/31%20Final%20image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="2635" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6QxmlU_pecdYfJJtFR_FGJBquwl1OCng17xP7af8BYyv2zcvwwcS51J8I-DLBaf6j9RoPaCVWfWiFraeJF-uLLL6Onts4g0pnIlvt6Zwia32MpCSJiOTMvdWcJwE87H3aKc12LQ3XEFN27DGDqgiIKeEt8j-HKyPUr-QJNS46ccdHJuZk4w1S9ji6g/w320-h248/31%20Final%20image.jpg" title="Drawing of the arms of Ranulf I (Earl of Chester 1120-1128), January 1923 (ref: ZCR/715/4), after repair." width="320" /></a></div><br />We still have a bit of work to do until they are all conserved and accessible, but they will be ready in plenty of time for the upcoming events and activities. We wait, in eager anticipation, for the next box of tatty items to appear in our conservation studio!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGroWLfgXrLXzV-NJ5G32FCQ44mrd-EEEXlIPydbbU81InkPxe7AAXfRNhCvHIvZnA3kVr4xW_ANJwy_uU5PHzBNTFtbX8aovVyPo13i2weKnT6wYYQxHoWqqNAj5xpYu1zAr9ygueqqrqfXYc33S2NhuVS3UCu0Scdy46Hp0lFZ9FCvzZ9_NMpYaPyQ/s875/31-38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="875" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGroWLfgXrLXzV-NJ5G32FCQ44mrd-EEEXlIPydbbU81InkPxe7AAXfRNhCvHIvZnA3kVr4xW_ANJwy_uU5PHzBNTFtbX8aovVyPo13i2weKnT6wYYQxHoWqqNAj5xpYu1zAr9ygueqqrqfXYc33S2NhuVS3UCu0Scdy46Hp0lFZ9FCvzZ9_NMpYaPyQ/w400-h199/31-38.jpg" title="Drawings for the Heraldic Coats of Arms for Queens Park Suspension Bridge, 1923 (ref: ZCR/715/2-9)" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>To hear about future events subscribe to our newsletter at </i></span><i><a href="http://www.cheshirearchives.org.uk/home.aspx"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">www.cheshirearchives.org.uk</span></a> </i></p><br /></span></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-39547998091277694602023-02-28T10:02:00.003+00:002023-03-01T09:28:54.102+00:00Historical thinking: using the census in primary teacher education <span style="font-family: arial;"><i>This blog is from a guest contributor. It is based on an article written by Tony Pickford, Visiting Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Chester, about using the Census in primary education.</i></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Local History is a required area of study on the primary school curriculum. When educating would-be teachers, I have always encouraged them to empathise with historical characters and to try and think like them as well. A key resource in promoting this ‘historical thinking’ is the census. Site visits, images and written documents such as diaries all have potential for prompting ‘historical thinking’ - in teachers and older primary pupils alike - but census extracts provide a unique window into real lives and life experiences in the 19th and 20th centuries.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">A census has been conducted in this country every ten years since 1801 (except 1941). The first only gathered population figures for villages or towns, but details of the members of each household were collected and recorded from 1841 onwards. In every census year, heads of households were instructed to complete forms giving details of everyone who slept in that dwelling on census night, which was usually a Sunday in March or April. The forms were collected a few days later by an enumerator, who entered the information into enumeration books.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">For the period up to 1901, enumeration books recorded people’s place of birth, their age, occupations and relationships. In 1911, because of rising standards of literacy, forms completed by householders were retained for the first time. Accessing the pre-1911 records is now a relatively straightforward task: transcribed and digitised versions of the schedules are available via the online subscription services Ancestry and Findmypast, which are provided for free at Cheshire Record Office in Chester. Some transcripts of census records are also available free of charge on </span><a href="http://www.freeCEN.org.uk" style="font-family: arial;">www.freeCEN.org.uk</a><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Younger primary children can find it difficult to read 19th century handwriting, and this is easily addressed via transcriptions mentioned above. But older children often enjoy the challenge of deciphering original documents. The authenticity provides a tangible link to the past and helps to foster ‘historical thinking’. To promote this principle further, I developed some census-based activities for students.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9h_XPD8fObTfDYRPU0-NmUkl_zdBWqE2lVO7IGTJPlg76Loh8-PKZl0s163lWkwUyk0T7t7EWIZoIWcCWLaIzVbJicW6NMjUlVbkmkIZagzajd813k-kirVwC53AIUzoUMZXLSJD9N01PvycaHZvTUvfSGotzQKh0s5eLNPmVH6sNIsw6LqFrlL9Vg/s2048/Students01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9h_XPD8fObTfDYRPU0-NmUkl_zdBWqE2lVO7IGTJPlg76Loh8-PKZl0s163lWkwUyk0T7t7EWIZoIWcCWLaIzVbJicW6NMjUlVbkmkIZagzajd813k-kirVwC53AIUzoUMZXLSJD9N01PvycaHZvTUvfSGotzQKh0s5eLNPmVH6sNIsw6LqFrlL9Vg/w320-h240/Students01.jpg" title="Students with copies of census information." width="320" /></a></div><br />The first activity aimed to combine history and information technology. Students had to imagine a time machine bringing back an enumerator from the past to do a final check of the census. They had to ‘become’ the residents of a street and use census information held on a database to find information about ‘themselves’, such as their address, relationship in the household, occupation or place of birth. When the enumerator appeared (myself or a colleague wearing a Victorian top hat!) we would discuss what they had learned. It became clear that while this task and role-play was useful at demonstrating how to use a database, it was less useful at immersing students in the period and getting them to relate to the people in the census.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As a result, I changed the activity to include more immersive role-play to try and achieve the goal of ‘historical thinking’. We visited the streets listed in a chosen census and students had to identify buildings through photographs of features on buildings. Finding a suitable street was not a difficult prospect being based in Chester, with an abundance of streets built in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Cheshire Record Office has a searchable online database of local images (</span><a href="http://www.cheshireimagebank.org.uk/" style="font-family: arial;">Cheshire Image Bank</a><span style="font-family: arial;">). This, with supplementary work like sketching buildings, or listing key words to describe the people who lived and worked there in the past, had a more positive outcome.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQsfadGfpcSlOqJ9QZlxpA0L8XX_g00PSLNr8iRt25O237ickxSbSlh66IsxMqvV26jySxkcs86QJIIbeXjg9Qu1n_CARYCZCyfMOGZW5RE7oJG4hCRR-wczknlHw3ZDeTJcA01FlZ7G_qBsCq-WEKRivTb-HFfP6QUwOKomValICYpR68r3Hd07-4A/s4032/Shipgate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQsfadGfpcSlOqJ9QZlxpA0L8XX_g00PSLNr8iRt25O237ickxSbSlh66IsxMqvV26jySxkcs86QJIIbeXjg9Qu1n_CARYCZCyfMOGZW5RE7oJG4hCRR-wczknlHw3ZDeTJcA01FlZ7G_qBsCq-WEKRivTb-HFfP6QUwOKomValICYpR68r3Hd07-4A/w200-h150/Shipgate.jpg" title="Streets and buildings in Chester: Shipgate." width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCMWec8UgRhHv2Ne2z3yIIs8WOy-xrXRdur_BrXO41W2i3hYcOdHMsHOIjmP1kDZK1XfZUrEPaho--h2jsRGLj-qk8VAN33o3wjhuPAIkibyj7msTbl2W2q-tfrK3g9akwJyT8mCpE8Sq58BMR25dVAOtzZENhaq7aK4DNzGu4wumxfDDnqDvpxqt-w/s4032/St%20Marys%20Hill.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCMWec8UgRhHv2Ne2z3yIIs8WOy-xrXRdur_BrXO41W2i3hYcOdHMsHOIjmP1kDZK1XfZUrEPaho--h2jsRGLj-qk8VAN33o3wjhuPAIkibyj7msTbl2W2q-tfrK3g9akwJyT8mCpE8Sq58BMR25dVAOtzZENhaq7aK4DNzGu4wumxfDDnqDvpxqt-w/w200-h150/St%20Marys%20Hill.jpg" title="Streets and buildings in Chester: St Mary's Hill." width="200" /></a></div><br />Back in the classroom, students were given copies of the census, and were surprised by the range of different households in the locality, and their inhabitants, that the census revealed. Alongside wealthy middle-class families with servants, there were boarding houses, public houses, small hotels and even a bank. Students were then given a key task that I hoped would lead to ‘historical thinking’: working in small groups to create a short conversation between the residents of ‘their’ property – a conversation that might be overheard by a passer-by and give some information about who lived there. We would discuss the type of language that would be used - words and expressions that would and would not have existed in 1901, for example - and strict instructions to avoid slang and expressions such as ‘okay’ and ‘yeah’!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsJa_tpSsyzygkj_IOIW1SU0h24kwVNEw9faFc2c98LSW6Qw9WMFzm1CHNTSkoM5lxcIJEO-qvsrKKE4wu1FtNF1_VJpA3K-HveE1qXtv3kYvc8bFmOIKla1fxucYsPypnI616GBfDt0_adAr3MJu_BKlcaU-yvuKy61btvWI07YV2TuzUesHp_zC2Q/s1418/Sketch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsJa_tpSsyzygkj_IOIW1SU0h24kwVNEw9faFc2c98LSW6Qw9WMFzm1CHNTSkoM5lxcIJEO-qvsrKKE4wu1FtNF1_VJpA3K-HveE1qXtv3kYvc8bFmOIKla1fxucYsPypnI616GBfDt0_adAr3MJu_BKlcaU-yvuKy61btvWI07YV2TuzUesHp_zC2Q/w224-h320/Sketch.jpg" title="One of the students’ sketches." width="224" /></a></div><br />We recorded these conversations and, after sharing them with the wider group, students were asked how they had approached the task. Had ‘historical thinking’ been used to underpin the conversations? The answer to this question was not simple.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6G4E__XDwi1H7oNcGZAZnQAmPFsXlWLbQUW2K-dUZCJr-2BRe-L40g8_ECakEix6LFjN59dw72vYMwiPHAZPlLZEwvYw7Brafr5k4Vs5PD9z9UcpXARQCeaem5r7-Oy2EM88pRvthtrgdvJQn28ZqdC1dSXn8wvhbZroKzTaMmPzNes2CCxmPxgKvg/s1861/Students02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="1861" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6G4E__XDwi1H7oNcGZAZnQAmPFsXlWLbQUW2K-dUZCJr-2BRe-L40g8_ECakEix6LFjN59dw72vYMwiPHAZPlLZEwvYw7Brafr5k4Vs5PD9z9UcpXARQCeaem5r7-Oy2EM88pRvthtrgdvJQn28ZqdC1dSXn8wvhbZroKzTaMmPzNes2CCxmPxgKvg/w320-h230/Students02.jpg" title="Students working on the census activity." width="320" /></a></div><br />Some conversations produced a great deal of information. Others conveyed individual characteristics with some humour (such as using an accent or imagined personality traits linked to a person’s profession) but gave little detail about relationships in the households. A few conversations suggested students had genuinely explored the views that characters might express – differing opinions about issues of the time that might arise in the households, for example. There were glimpses of ‘historical thinking’ - not enough to claim that the role-play had achieved its aim in full, but the conversations showed more engagement and immersion in the census material than the previous database activity. To that extent, this second activity was successful.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The session concluded with students translating the activity into a series of lessons for a chosen age-range of primary school pupils, and the audio files were shared on the University intranet. Overall, the second activity showed that census extracts, when supplemented with other sources like a visit to the houses and streets documented in that census, can provide the cognitive scaffolding that might support student teachers – and the children they are intending to teach – in ‘getting inside the head’ of people in the past.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Thank you to Tony Pickford for offering us his article.</i></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><i>Cheshire Archives and Local Studies published another blog about the census in 2022. ‘A “New” Census’ can be found <a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-new-census.html">here.</a> <br /></i><br /> <br /></span><br /> </div></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-35791867908765268942023-02-14T09:27:00.000+00:002023-02-14T09:27:28.257+00:00What Is Cheshire?<span style="font-family: arial;">Cheshire Archives and Local Studies is one of hundreds of public record offices throughout the country, which carefully preserve and allow access to the historical archives of their local communities. These are often called “County Record Offices”, although in practice the areas they serve can be far smaller (or occasionally even bigger) than a county. Which raises the question… what is the county of Cheshire? Well, the answer depends on the date and the type of records you’re looking for. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>“Cestrescire”</b> recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 was one of 34 ‘shires’ that the Saxons established in England and Wales well before the Norman Conquest. Its boundaries then appear to have extended into what later became south Lancashire and most of Flintshire. However, the boundaries of the shires remained fluid and continued to evolve over the next few centuries. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">From 1254 to 1545 the <b>County Palatine</b> of Chester had its own parliament, consisting of nobles from the county serving under the Earl of Chester. This was abolished by the Chester and Cheshire (Constituencies) Act 1542, and thereafter the county was represented at Westminster by two Knights of the Shire, while the city of Chester was separately represented by two burgesses. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of the city of Chester, in 1238 this had been granted the status of a “county corporate”, effectively making it independent from the rest of Cheshire, with its own completely separate system of local government. This was officially styled as the <b>City and County of Chester</b>, to distinguish it from the <b>County of Chester</b> (referring to the rest of Cheshire). These potentially confusing descriptions could still be found in some official sources until as late as 1974. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhcx1gIKCa0t-lH9zaZJD6fJfSdXp8TrSDGE5ETb4oNSRnzGCmdBffJkEGLNzgwGzw9RF2-IxOxpnX-3BVeIHJb8W4cjq4FuY99rBeSyn2a4jvI29npMyz0KyQFMFgUa6Q12b3JmIMy-47Xq39PX_btLdGpnfFOJQdmTJ5hckKbIH3hZaD9rSrciZFA/s351/PM_2_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="351" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhcx1gIKCa0t-lH9zaZJD6fJfSdXp8TrSDGE5ETb4oNSRnzGCmdBffJkEGLNzgwGzw9RF2-IxOxpnX-3BVeIHJb8W4cjq4FuY99rBeSyn2a4jvI29npMyz0KyQFMFgUa6Q12b3JmIMy-47Xq39PX_btLdGpnfFOJQdmTJ5hckKbIH3hZaD9rSrciZFA/w400-h318/PM_2_4.jpg" title="Wenceslas Hollar’s map of Cheshire, c.1681 (ref: PM 2/4)" width="400" /></a></div><br />By the mid-16th century, Cheshire had assumed its familiar ‘teapot’ shape, with the Rivers Mersey and Tame marking its northern extent, and the River Dee delimiting most of its western boundary with Wales. This area is often referred to as the <b>Ancient County</b> of Cheshire, and it remained largely unchanged until the Victorian period, when new systems of local government were required to cope with the demands of an increasingly large and industrialised population. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>Registration County</b> of Cheshire was formed from groups of poor law unions set up in 1835, under which groups of parishes would combine to care for their poor and infirm residents. When a new civil registration system for births, marriages and deaths was established in July 1837, most of the poor law unions doubled as “registration districts”, with the poor-law overseers becoming local registrars. However, unions and registration districts didn’t always respect county boundaries, with the parishes of Hawarden (Flintshire), Biddulph (Staffordshire), and Heaton Norris and Reddish (both Lancashire) being included in Cheshire districts, while the Cheshire parishes of Disley, Mottram in Longdendale and Malpas were originally placed with districts in Derbyshire, Lancashire and Denbighshire respectively. When searching the national indexes for our ancestors’ births, marriage or death certificates, this can mislead us into disregarding entries which seem to be in the ‘wrong’ county. These boundary anomalies persisted until 1937. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Victorian period also saw the introduction of local boards of health, to improve conditions in the towns and cities. From 1872 these became “urban sanitary districts”, with the remaining parts of each poor law union becoming “rural sanitary districts”, and they gradually took on more and more responsibility for local affairs (the “sanitary” part of the name was dropped in 1894). Several of these districts inconveniently extended into two or more counties: for example, Stockport, Stalybridge, Warrington, Ashton under Lyne and Mossley, each of which comprised parts of Cheshire and Lancashire (with Mossley including parts of Yorkshire for good measure). To remedy this problem the Local Government Act 1888 created a system of <b>Administrative Counties</b>, by placing each district in the county where it had the largest population. Although the administrative county of Cheshire was a little smaller than the ancient county, it contained a larger population. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-DFOyhsmWzj_pj6cLwKsfQxGxSH4yf8GZN9SsnYcaLDBq7-Elnn9jsu_-iwsDwJuwB6MeOu7CZERZxKi1kVLTDYzvGH9XEOV55-o_7Ro19hHA5BuVzgwJUAq-TgIeAa4uaz_EoNj7_DwIgFmZuuHgTaZcWIA-WmKbduLBxld14JpRnuDwIN2i_MVvg/s602/Census%201891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="602" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-DFOyhsmWzj_pj6cLwKsfQxGxSH4yf8GZN9SsnYcaLDBq7-Elnn9jsu_-iwsDwJuwB6MeOu7CZERZxKi1kVLTDYzvGH9XEOV55-o_7Ro19hHA5BuVzgwJUAq-TgIeAa4uaz_EoNj7_DwIgFmZuuHgTaZcWIA-WmKbduLBxld14JpRnuDwIN2i_MVvg/w400-h300/Census%201891.jpg" title="Extract from Census of England and Wales, 1891. Area, Houses and Population, Vol. I. Administrative and Ancient Counties (HMSO, 1891), p. 29." width="400" /></a></div><br />Although the 1888 Act made it clear that administrative counties were intended to exist alongside (rather than replace) the ancient counties, the latter became increasingly redundant for purposes of local government, especially after a new system of county councils and county boroughs was established in 1889 by the same legislation. This meant that certain large towns and cities functioned as counties in their own right: in Cheshire these were Chester, Birkenhead and Stockport (joined later by Wallasey in 1913). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This system of local government was swept away when the <b>Non-Metropolitan County</b> of Cheshire was created in April 1974. The urban areas on the Wirral peninsula, and to the south and west of Manchester were transferred to the new metropolitan counties of Merseyside and Greater Manchester respectively, while Cheshire gained the towns of Warrington and Widnes from Lancashire in compensation. All the county boroughs were abolished, with the city of Chester at the centre of one of eight new districts making up the county, all overseen by a reformed Cheshire County Council. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1998, two of these districts, Halton and Warrington, became “Unitary Authorities”, granting them the powers of a county council. In 2009, the remaining parts of the county were divided into two more unitary authorities – Cheshire West and Chester, and Cheshire East – with the result that Cheshire County Council ceased to exist. However, Cheshire itself lives on as a <b>Ceremonial County</b>, established under the Lieutenancies Act 1997, now comprising the boroughs of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, and Warrington. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbhSmQ_Hve9GhMNIt2whQxh-cDjBG7zq0NGLyzWcBZe525oBFaBAWquuqOno6UBRPJNiRxWJS_zV4FuBL0-XeKu0OaakJAT7ZIEu0D-OwwV22mj6KdjmbX6JsUAoLE5ayoz74ze6eM7qxH7GknyNGpyYaMm-rOXVXbns6Me0mDmuny3uCKIqQs1whuA/s500/Cheshire_unitary_labell.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="500" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbhSmQ_Hve9GhMNIt2whQxh-cDjBG7zq0NGLyzWcBZe525oBFaBAWquuqOno6UBRPJNiRxWJS_zV4FuBL0-XeKu0OaakJAT7ZIEu0D-OwwV22mj6KdjmbX6JsUAoLE5ayoz74ze6eM7qxH7GknyNGpyYaMm-rOXVXbns6Me0mDmuny3uCKIqQs1whuA/w320-h252/Cheshire_unitary_labell.png" title="Map of present-day Cheshire (By Espresso Addict - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10099085)" width="320" /></a></div><br />We should also mention the <b>Diocese of Chester</b>, which at its foundation in 1541 extended as far north as Cumberland and Westmorland, taking in almost the whole of Lancashire, and parts of north east Wales. During the nineteenth century the area of the diocese was steadily reduced to roughly correspond to the ancient county of Cheshire, as it still remains to this day. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Cheshire Archives holds records relating to all the Diocese of Chester and the former county authorities, although some collections for places outside present-day Cheshire have been transferred to neighbouring record offices – for examples, wills for Lancashire residents proved in the Diocese of Chester before 1858 are now at Lancashire Archives. So if you aren’t sure whether we have the records you need then please ask us before you visit, or consult our online catalogue and guides. <br /></span><br /> </div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-20684407037721049822023-01-27T07:47:00.000+00:002023-01-27T07:47:29.217+00:00Parkside Asylum Case Books - Not just names on a page…<span style="font-family: arial;">The history of Parkside Asylum can be found on-line today (</span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.countyasylums.co.uk/parkside-macclesfield/">Parkside - County
Asylums</a>)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> but what do we know about the patients who were admitted there? Who were they? Where did they live? Why were they admitted? How long did they stay? Where can we find their stories?<br /><br />At Cheshire Archives, we are just beginning to explore the wealth of incredible material found within Parkside’s case books. Technology is supporting the information shift from these original leather-bound books into a searchable, accessible on-line research goldmine. With that transformation, our insight into the lives of those living within its walls magnifies and we start to gather information beyond the medical…These patients were real people, with real lives, in a time when we were just learning about mental health.<br /><br /></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Where did they come from? </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Parkside Asylum was in Macclesfield; however, its patients came from all over the United Kingdom. The case books are an incredible source of address and place information, which helps us delve even further and join the dots with sources already available to us – censuses, births, marriages and deaths indexes, electoral registers.<br /><br /></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What did they do before they came to Parkside? </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The occupations of the Parkside patients are incredibly diverse – from actresses to accountants, cloggers to cooks, shepherds to schoolmasters, paupers, and private patients alike. Parkside treated patients from every walk of life.<br /><br /></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEI6h03ZZzZGboVFZ1djcALsDcXIceXwWR9OK5JNrXrM71l3vlDrYVeEmEcrg2VI555S9ON3DuCxGBylSNfwVnUAzAmrna8BVwBnhSWZ_tfTHS8mMXuJCkb8gnTNHuoLzSz0J_E3-Wzlna25_dgjJ__M5IrKFwjFueQQnX2UuCWHomDFpjYJwQAdi0aQ/s1379/Picture1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="1379" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEI6h03ZZzZGboVFZ1djcALsDcXIceXwWR9OK5JNrXrM71l3vlDrYVeEmEcrg2VI555S9ON3DuCxGBylSNfwVnUAzAmrna8BVwBnhSWZ_tfTHS8mMXuJCkb8gnTNHuoLzSz0J_E3-Wzlna25_dgjJ__M5IrKFwjFueQQnX2UuCWHomDFpjYJwQAdi0aQ/w400-h144/Picture1.jpg" title="Image of female patient, Annie Elizabeth Robinson, aged 32. At time of admission, she has a one-month-old baby. Mother was a patient at Parkside. Discharged to the care of her husband after 3 months. Diagnosis - 'Recovered'" width="400" /></a></div><br />Could these be the only images of your ancestors? </span></h4></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The casebooks contain small passport-sized images of many of the patients. Putting a face to a name and their story. An interesting observation is although there are a few from the 1870’s, these photographs are generally much more common during the 1880’s onwards.<br /><br /></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Happenstance or hereditary…</span></h4></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The detailed case notes, medical terms and diagnoses of Parkside’s patients will help us to better understand mental illness and its treatment in the 19th century. Why were patients admitted? How were they treated? What was their diagnosis? Some patients were admitted many, many times. Can we find out why? Although some died at the Asylum, others were discharged, some were transferred to other asylums or hospitals. With the right connections, perhaps one day we can build a timeline of what happened to them. After all, wouldn’t you want to know what happened to your great Aunt or great-great Grandmother?<br /><br />The use of different sources, like the census, comes in handy as interpreting the copperplate writing from the original books is sometimes a challenge! Were they a Boden, Bowden, or Bodan? Is that a T, a J, or an S – occupation Tailor, Jailor, or a Sailor?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvdLANxkFiHN7yCRynn0ZmF3Dc1hACR16UGyXmgrbViR3ntXYAe9TNXJgeLknZmfmJIMZC2PYdGkdBdkAh5srRgMpyrSK1v2SfMaAzzNG6R4HAQ6oTScoTI2JjlqTimIjjGKiZriWZmg69iaw2LZOJ2LHkcM68BRz0SoqEny9raBjE22xgIOZTAfEhA/s1379/Picture2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="1379" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvdLANxkFiHN7yCRynn0ZmF3Dc1hACR16UGyXmgrbViR3ntXYAe9TNXJgeLknZmfmJIMZC2PYdGkdBdkAh5srRgMpyrSK1v2SfMaAzzNG6R4HAQ6oTScoTI2JjlqTimIjjGKiZriWZmg69iaw2LZOJ2LHkcM68BRz0SoqEny9raBjE22xgIOZTAfEhA/w400-h71/Picture2.png" title="Extracts taken from the case notes of John Major and Frederick Rogers. Two great examples of deciphering different styles of handwriting." width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiii3xHDGvJ-nDjqtEyrCe-1Co_npHbm0q8U3vMKmdFE1zAbj_EdjYfowIL2Z_i-JuPL1-Ah6iCg3qyfJlDWIgBhiJDGxRC6tDUGF81l42GRFKykHbp1HCIL8kYaaSiFpKi0mLjuoAym5VGaynKmXjScxsMCP1hNx4zt6BoOCRyVtBO9rlVcpIjEE0BcQ/s602/Picture3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="602" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiii3xHDGvJ-nDjqtEyrCe-1Co_npHbm0q8U3vMKmdFE1zAbj_EdjYfowIL2Z_i-JuPL1-Ah6iCg3qyfJlDWIgBhiJDGxRC6tDUGF81l42GRFKykHbp1HCIL8kYaaSiFpKi0mLjuoAym5VGaynKmXjScxsMCP1hNx4zt6BoOCRyVtBO9rlVcpIjEE0BcQ/w400-h73/Picture3.png" title="Extracts taken from the case notes of John Major and Frederick Rogers. Two great examples of deciphering different styles of handwriting." width="400" /></a></div><br />Prepare to be shocked…there was no holding back with how medics described their patients in the 1870’s. Some of the terminology used then, we certainly wouldn’t use now. Medical terms and names of diseases are vast and varied. Do you know what Mania a potu is, for example?<br /><br />We have 40 years of detailed case books and - with the help of our amazing volunteers – we will continue to build and develop this incredibly valuable information source for us all.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4_WZsPQzGagBnIi3JScWn6cKNa7IvD7zs8IoO3gYI3wVw7M94WGsGiFoPAO9n4QSadTUXl6Ho8tQIGU1snBHtkPac9qVx-s9mqQa5tzau5bDF7piXELWlan9o2KnTti0W9nZ5BSxME5x1J4zJDqejuvENAsPybrEmRWfgH7oyZfpgBYtXl9XsJnpJQ/s602/Picture4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="602" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4_WZsPQzGagBnIi3JScWn6cKNa7IvD7zs8IoO3gYI3wVw7M94WGsGiFoPAO9n4QSadTUXl6Ho8tQIGU1snBHtkPac9qVx-s9mqQa5tzau5bDF7piXELWlan9o2KnTti0W9nZ5BSxME5x1J4zJDqejuvENAsPybrEmRWfgH7oyZfpgBYtXl9XsJnpJQ/w400-h186/Picture4.png" title="Example from the citizen science web portal Zooniverse, showing how our team of remote volunteers are extracting key information from the digitised case notes of patients." width="400" /></a></div><br />So, you see, the patients of Parkside Lunatic Asylum are not just names on a page, and we’re starting to tell their stories…</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><i style="font-family: arial;"><br /></i></div><div><i style="font-family: arial;">Our team of remote volunteers are helping Cheshire Archives index
the Parkside case notes. This means the data can easily be searched and
analysed by the public and researchers alike.</i></div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Want to be a part of it? You can! <a href="mailto:recordoffice@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk" target="_blank">Email us</a> for more
information or join up straight away on the <a href="https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/cheshirero/parkside-asylum">Zooniverse
website</a></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-67387677806736392072023-01-17T09:11:00.001+00:002023-01-17T09:11:44.850+00:00Behind the Scenes in Repro!<span style="font-family: arial;">Everybody is welcome to visit Cheshire Record Office to discover our Archives and Local Studies collections. But did you know we have a copying service for people who can’t make it to the search room in Chester? This is a glimpse behind the scenes of our Reprographics Department. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">‘Repro’, as it’s known, is run by the four Archives Assistants (‘AAs’) who work at Cheshire Record Office, and we do our best to provide copies of almost anything that people ask for, within copyright rules of course. We use a combination of photocopying, digital photography, microfilms, scanning and printing to fulfil orders placed via our online shop or the search room, and there is a huge range of items that can be reproduced: from wills to parish records, maps to newspapers, vehicle registrations and many, many other documents. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dbuYfIo1QI4DTxXt0YHteitc_2ZJr86bZntrrKZ-FEucQxSw6I84Zcnvm3S4L_L4xxhKHfKPzrtcOHvFB4rOae18-eo10D4lhe8XZS7_IWiW84PeESqRXK_Bedt4b3ISFcLFPvC_t2jO7kvYylMhr1w8lLVZXLTVutSFf4xReDrmTi89bTmqJK9Naw/s4032/Camera%20stand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dbuYfIo1QI4DTxXt0YHteitc_2ZJr86bZntrrKZ-FEucQxSw6I84Zcnvm3S4L_L4xxhKHfKPzrtcOHvFB4rOae18-eo10D4lhe8XZS7_IWiW84PeESqRXK_Bedt4b3ISFcLFPvC_t2jO7kvYylMhr1w8lLVZXLTVutSFf4xReDrmTi89bTmqJK9Naw/w150-h200/Camera%20stand.jpg" title="Cheshire Record Office Reprographics Department - digital photography" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiFHY3zCxWjExz7hA-E30LQwb4u5_RKQ2eU9wWmdrp8ijP_mis-BoF8Wx5ZIKREmX_1gRL9qrnrSK6ESSbToeXpe38-urCH6kQrI8YY8qjGtYS7SO8cnY73f5PWYs0tcsWRUYxXR1F62G1SZMcWKg4xEjHMUeQdt3n2WZsfWrECweccVsXH2ePBOoLA/s4032/Scanner%20&%20printer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiFHY3zCxWjExz7hA-E30LQwb4u5_RKQ2eU9wWmdrp8ijP_mis-BoF8Wx5ZIKREmX_1gRL9qrnrSK6ESSbToeXpe38-urCH6kQrI8YY8qjGtYS7SO8cnY73f5PWYs0tcsWRUYxXR1F62G1SZMcWKg4xEjHMUeQdt3n2WZsfWrECweccVsXH2ePBOoLA/w150-h200/Scanner%20&%20printer.jpg" title="Cheshire Record Office Reprographics Department - scanner and printer" width="150" /></a></div><br />We had over 400 reprographics orders last year, not just from Cheshire but from all four nations of the UK, and around 10% of the orders are from overseas. Nearly one in 20 are sent to the USA and, over the past 12 months, they also went as far afield as Jersey, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Israel, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of our most popular requests are for wills, which can help with family history research. We hold thousands of Cheshire wills dating back to the 16th century, and these can usually be photocopied and sent by post. They are charged at a flat rate whether they cover just one or two pages or dozens, so you might get a bargain! We never know until they’re retrieved from storage how long they are, what they include or how beautifully written they might be. Occasionally people decide to order them in large format for display, such as this one from 1806.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjDk612N0LOohEaXJuzcSyQbFTQTWX0r1L2BaI3398KI0YmAyMnafF01wdBnbxa8PC4kPeNHwtqlFIOaJmLBboAVy-_GibwkpIMSXeDnI3H86SOPZCNUG-iN71J9VUMbaPitL1r-i80XCULwuejgT27Tv26utcG0d571yfr6sRKck9IaSbcxnWg87og/s5915/TILL%238539_Barcroft.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5273" data-original-width="5915" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjDk612N0LOohEaXJuzcSyQbFTQTWX0r1L2BaI3398KI0YmAyMnafF01wdBnbxa8PC4kPeNHwtqlFIOaJmLBboAVy-_GibwkpIMSXeDnI3H86SOPZCNUG-iN71J9VUMbaPitL1r-i80XCULwuejgT27Tv26utcG0d571yfr6sRKck9IaSbcxnWg87og/w200-h178/TILL%238539_Barcroft.JPG" title="Will of John Paul, Innkeeper, of Chester (ref: WS 1806)" width="200" /></a></div><br />Family history enthusiasts can also order copies of parish register entries, where we print and post out the handwritten notes from a church’s baptism, marriage or burial registers from over 100 years ago. These documents also stretch back hundreds of years, and some have been digitised, appearing on family history web site Find My Past as part of The Cheshire Collection.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We get numerous requests for copies from our extensive collection of Cheshire newspapers, and usually use microfilm to produce these. Orders include anything from someone’s own appearance in the local paper; to reports of significant events like the late Queen’s Coronation (these were particularly popular during last year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations); or back further still to articles from the 19th and even 18th centuries, to help with family or local history research.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGCDoZZQkEBewCGT1zMEptmYrfqiU4-dj96IB0NrZ5K432lQyFdotn2vtrvOFJsm2_c-ArXbUCnfq4YZaQYBXt2Kvucpo8xZcFZRNfmqyhaeAUB2AvE7WVOJai4lUAhMONjN-p_JynP4Mfqpr2RptTqiDcB_I_u377xO2NvPcRYWO30Qtv9ySy6FunA/s3294/Chester%20Chronicle%206.6.1953%20page%2012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3294" data-original-width="2458" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGCDoZZQkEBewCGT1zMEptmYrfqiU4-dj96IB0NrZ5K432lQyFdotn2vtrvOFJsm2_c-ArXbUCnfq4YZaQYBXt2Kvucpo8xZcFZRNfmqyhaeAUB2AvE7WVOJai4lUAhMONjN-p_JynP4Mfqpr2RptTqiDcB_I_u377xO2NvPcRYWO30Qtv9ySy6FunA/w149-h200/Chester%20Chronicle%206.6.1953%20page%2012.JPG" title="Chester Chronicle (country edition) 6 June 1953, page 12" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N6ccR8FdBgJyLI6o01mK_gE3DU_Rff9Y51lVx9Pe1jjM4lsP1ylSYXzR2UUo4wtDtH-Y-GlOo6AM926JrJzzTnNFsjcmaCJnrAGWxmwYSB4CKkZd98sX7xRk4ZZQ88T-SANod6hUp-yoCN0elkCPtRmVlkQdjEmcPnL5YB7521gBm-u_gemOK7lW8w/s3293/Chester%20Chronicle%206.6.1953%20page%2013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3293" data-original-width="2464" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N6ccR8FdBgJyLI6o01mK_gE3DU_Rff9Y51lVx9Pe1jjM4lsP1ylSYXzR2UUo4wtDtH-Y-GlOo6AM926JrJzzTnNFsjcmaCJnrAGWxmwYSB4CKkZd98sX7xRk4ZZQ88T-SANod6hUp-yoCN0elkCPtRmVlkQdjEmcPnL5YB7521gBm-u_gemOK7lW8w/w149-h200/Chester%20Chronicle%206.6.1953%20page%2013.JPG" title="Chester Chronicle (country edition) 6 June 1953, page 13" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfIqaZzhfykTv88rDWwJWh0j2I5VqgflF6rnLFNmUJ3rmRi6akObRMFSNjXiGI2RFx69rZ35TM2q2JeLdw8SLAzakl6UKyvY2pNBugQEGsBg4-gCFmv_pN3ZQmertpXwkFd5DjzwdgoIfTqNknNnJmVRMF92_vsEvDA5Foq-ZEkXPjIiWMxZwztD0jQ/s3276/Chester%20Chronicle%206.6.1953%20page%2014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3276" data-original-width="2443" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfIqaZzhfykTv88rDWwJWh0j2I5VqgflF6rnLFNmUJ3rmRi6akObRMFSNjXiGI2RFx69rZ35TM2q2JeLdw8SLAzakl6UKyvY2pNBugQEGsBg4-gCFmv_pN3ZQmertpXwkFd5DjzwdgoIfTqNknNnJmVRMF92_vsEvDA5Foq-ZEkXPjIiWMxZwztD0jQ/w149-h200/Chester%20Chronicle%206.6.1953%20page%2014.JPG" title="Chester Chronicle (country edition) 6 June 1953, page 14" width="149" /></a></div><br />Maps and large format prints are a substantial part of our repro work. We can produce copies up to A1 in size (that’s 594 x 841 millimetres!) and copy items up to 72 x 110 cm, but sometimes even this isn’t sufficient to reproduce our extra-large archive documents. In those cases, the AAs try to weave some digital magic to provide you with the best image possible. For instance, one order was for a map so big that it that had to be captured in 9 separate photographs, but we used computer software to stitch them together to send the customer one overall image by e-mail. And copies of old Ordnance Survey or Tithe maps are not just for people to hang on their walls for decoration – we’ve recently done an order for someone using our maps to replant and restore trees in their original locations! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_aAP120iRE6l0wBrmDcZiWgma5mm3s9uTFHcFpPEkw4IH3YYo-qHiCT3vcHdz9Hox3FGaZskAE2IO6GXOkm2MFp5eAVkvw4MiQGNLueI8Z_WZ_ExZqy-Yy3n00HbL7ML3UpiHAC1agNZ9lgbpThSGQzmHC59FPFX3JdZzCwmugNMbqA2-dgo_55gAg/s1181/Section%20of%20an%20Ordnance%20Survey%20map%20showing%20trees.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="1181" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_aAP120iRE6l0wBrmDcZiWgma5mm3s9uTFHcFpPEkw4IH3YYo-qHiCT3vcHdz9Hox3FGaZskAE2IO6GXOkm2MFp5eAVkvw4MiQGNLueI8Z_WZ_ExZqy-Yy3n00HbL7ML3UpiHAC1agNZ9lgbpThSGQzmHC59FPFX3JdZzCwmugNMbqA2-dgo_55gAg/w320-h114/Section%20of%20an%20Ordnance%20Survey%20map%20showing%20trees.jpg" title="Section of a first edition Ordnance Survey map showing trees, 1877" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3I8BwtARQa5tZTP-BrRpR-ntU9o1gBK93E0RwX6F0j367J5iNayx4DCFC91Gjf6-qXSMwYP_2dgkbIPcsP3e9fPu1iuuI2IbZ7jiaPpDNDlZJ-UeNK2SvShLbWn8IYZoqI2XWFoMHs65TL5ycdOXxTMn-JFNjsa2nEi4k0tF4Zx3jjdobdccCPNPgQ/s4458/PM_1_8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3428" data-original-width="4458" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3I8BwtARQa5tZTP-BrRpR-ntU9o1gBK93E0RwX6F0j367J5iNayx4DCFC91Gjf6-qXSMwYP_2dgkbIPcsP3e9fPu1iuuI2IbZ7jiaPpDNDlZJ-UeNK2SvShLbWn8IYZoqI2XWFoMHs65TL5ycdOXxTMn-JFNjsa2nEi4k0tF4Zx3jjdobdccCPNPgQ/w320-h246/PM_1_8.jpg" title="Printed map: The County Palatine of Chester, 1693 (ref: PM 1/8)" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></div>Vehicle licensing documents are also popular repro requests – they are needed to re-issue original number plates for vintage cars, but we are asked to copy other transport-related records as well. The order below was for an image of an early wagon built by Foden’s of Sandbach. The image in question was an old glass plate negative, but we were able to use digital technology to provide a more realistic image to go with it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE1YF0ZTInmImlu8bJbNdvQNNw7yowqSdTW5gK4C8j4LV8H6Owjn3cWGmX0zOSVOap_spND6XaCmacyiSEFe9HiTF77huYKLIREf0mtpzH-w4pZl-ASGoJ3H75gvjwRTc65FzTgD7BocxLH_ZjVhq0wdXPxSLC6KUc-I7pywD0Jlq8u6h6fMGFa8fSA/s4545/DFO_3204_225_negative.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3361" data-original-width="4545" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE1YF0ZTInmImlu8bJbNdvQNNw7yowqSdTW5gK4C8j4LV8H6Owjn3cWGmX0zOSVOap_spND6XaCmacyiSEFe9HiTF77huYKLIREf0mtpzH-w4pZl-ASGoJ3H75gvjwRTc65FzTgD7BocxLH_ZjVhq0wdXPxSLC6KUc-I7pywD0Jlq8u6h6fMGFa8fSA/w200-h148/DFO_3204_225_negative.JPG" title="Glass plate negative, Foden's of Sandbach (ref: DFO 3204/225)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-dyTxbeR4PyiSBOhCSTwUaYpUrTwLoTMq4n1-Id1fJo5OxcsNMes9DfPdk2jzf0hY1zOQ1KMwPsX-YUl0qonlLXNVkw_lN_S2UdIZ92ZpEQlldLvRvO8PrxETIR1u33F11IaYniCwPLCkqVRyKjPC2XQ9DPrUV-HzA9o66qj9tSbMF_I4mFUy3RQKg/s5303/DFO_3204_225_inverted.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3922" data-original-width="5303" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-dyTxbeR4PyiSBOhCSTwUaYpUrTwLoTMq4n1-Id1fJo5OxcsNMes9DfPdk2jzf0hY1zOQ1KMwPsX-YUl0qonlLXNVkw_lN_S2UdIZ92ZpEQlldLvRvO8PrxETIR1u33F11IaYniCwPLCkqVRyKjPC2XQ9DPrUV-HzA9o66qj9tSbMF_I4mFUy3RQKg/w200-h148/DFO_3204_225_inverted.jpg" title="Image taken from glass plate negative, Foden's of Sandbach (ref: DFO 3204/225)" width="200" /></a></div><br />In addition to regular repro orders, we also deal with bulk orders – these are for large numbers of images which often come from academics needing copies of documents for their research. They can be on any subject but, as an example, we have recently photographed hundreds of pages of 17th and 18th century court documents for a national academic project about the English Civil Wars. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">These are just a snapshot of the many different types of documents that come through the reprographics department. And we don’t just deal with customer orders – we produce material for in-house and partnership events as well. Recent work includes printing photographs for a project celebrating the lives of older people at Storyhouse in Chester; making displays for a Chester Town Hall event celebrating the long friendship between the City of Chester and Poland; and digitising memorabilia from Browns of Chester department store for a series of events in partnership with the University of Chester and West Cheshire Museums. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7nS_goAPXAk47TZlNUbNhlAZvxIKDLx75KgibY-AP-FcQWt22tTxHomzOhRXJcm_fUM0biZfQeZlZ4PpaDepgrH5yjuKAnQI7OOpNz9jYFpKcJ8LQizd3_Ypn62ldvKBAT86VVwLs8C9qXtzlAgitNvtIdTK751xK0DZSbI2CVisl1TQ5fZpKjYUIw/s2410/ch6398.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="2410" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7nS_goAPXAk47TZlNUbNhlAZvxIKDLx75KgibY-AP-FcQWt22tTxHomzOhRXJcm_fUM0biZfQeZlZ4PpaDepgrH5yjuKAnQI7OOpNz9jYFpKcJ8LQizd3_Ypn62ldvKBAT86VVwLs8C9qXtzlAgitNvtIdTK751xK0DZSbI2CVisl1TQ5fZpKjYUIw/w200-h149/ch6398.JPG" title="Chester: Brook Street, Majestic Ballroom, 1960s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: ch6398)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFGlEdO6Igv1_5cNPv0P3H78klJZijl3IEtsHOWzBq9-hgNGicO5Q79Ry4MfRB2LQoAAGZFS9hbxq4v_d5thdCpIg3GGHwF4MH4asf3bRDuhk0qaQcxT3yW5kuOuNj23sNKNMt4zf3ykPTXFbR5lHY4Hcsb1Aeb1ClBY0k3tRk4JkSKYmP-sDDJ43wg/s3525/Cheshire%20Observer%2025.3.44%20page%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3525" data-original-width="2155" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFGlEdO6Igv1_5cNPv0P3H78klJZijl3IEtsHOWzBq9-hgNGicO5Q79Ry4MfRB2LQoAAGZFS9hbxq4v_d5thdCpIg3GGHwF4MH4asf3bRDuhk0qaQcxT3yW5kuOuNj23sNKNMt4zf3ykPTXFbR5lHY4Hcsb1Aeb1ClBY0k3tRk4JkSKYmP-sDDJ43wg/w123-h200/Cheshire%20Observer%2025.3.44%20page%201.JPG" title="Cheshire Observer newspaper, 25 March 1944" width="123" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkngx2yIHGBY__b4R_OaK762yHYUWrh6Dv90fAaKBnsCwsBoTtYoezy7NwyzELtmRbZS5zTtWpiwEn8fIAcYnMQPqYPftyOfCPJ68__tFlVaF_x53EcqD96dIOwk1s0dKwsFa2A-S5-y-xkd1glh6gojfcJhYnVwyo1IS3ihMHgebXLTaVl1m7aKIRA/s3824/0959_001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3824" data-original-width="2844" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkngx2yIHGBY__b4R_OaK762yHYUWrh6Dv90fAaKBnsCwsBoTtYoezy7NwyzELtmRbZS5zTtWpiwEn8fIAcYnMQPqYPftyOfCPJ68__tFlVaF_x53EcqD96dIOwk1s0dKwsFa2A-S5-y-xkd1glh6gojfcJhYnVwyo1IS3ihMHgebXLTaVl1m7aKIRA/w149-h200/0959_001.jpg" title="Browns of Chester advertisement, 1975 (ref: Browns 2022/0959_001)" width="149" /></a><br /><br /></div>Working on repro can bring to light some unexpected items from our collections, and we’ll end with a couple of our favourites. When reproducing some images from an album of photographs of Spanish mines belonging to the United Alkali Company, we found this one showing three men on the night of 7th May 1910 – they were watching out for the passing of Halley’s Comet! And when copying some archives of the village of Bollington, we thought the description ‘photograph of Sunday School’ would be an image of a building, but instead found a lovely photo capturing hundreds of people at a Sunday School event in 1908. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_2wIupkIRGoqLF7NewlBuVh0HK21kDNWnZOEuHvSizkQ8sutlvyzQc8eL1u5mFmVCxbMNsBYTP-jQrrSRCmHKoE-N9Uc84HAs4kgpnJJERItu1ynwB0qnKTGCEt_lCxq5SaqloxC4LdtOe_ngbiKQWljtecol4yt2aEo1l4TqwcQ_Z4yaASI3xZ5IQ/s410/DIC_UA_16_99.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="410" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_2wIupkIRGoqLF7NewlBuVh0HK21kDNWnZOEuHvSizkQ8sutlvyzQc8eL1u5mFmVCxbMNsBYTP-jQrrSRCmHKoE-N9Uc84HAs4kgpnJJERItu1ynwB0qnKTGCEt_lCxq5SaqloxC4LdtOe_ngbiKQWljtecol4yt2aEo1l4TqwcQ_Z4yaASI3xZ5IQ/w200-h155/DIC_UA_16_99.png" title="United Alkali Co Ltd photograph albums, Spanish mines, 1905-1921 (ref: DIC/UA 16/99)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcSyC_n4ZG87HFx9cUcQHTXVUbHH_aOa0DVC2w4PwAt0EUo0LsXT7H-jZGddyRUf0O1Bo_n8s-RiZlvsBNkWT3B1nzX1KYRjPr7nswIaToeK94YoHHJxqIJfImOACjMlnHmoSAMLh10Mhk0pXi8XweTLhy489oqyXVVJl7xG7XsOd4Qx3PNduuPXH7g/s4490/EMS_197_11_3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3703" data-original-width="4490" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcSyC_n4ZG87HFx9cUcQHTXVUbHH_aOa0DVC2w4PwAt0EUo0LsXT7H-jZGddyRUf0O1Bo_n8s-RiZlvsBNkWT3B1nzX1KYRjPr7nswIaToeK94YoHHJxqIJfImOACjMlnHmoSAMLh10Mhk0pXi8XweTLhy489oqyXVVJl7xG7XsOd4Qx3PNduuPXH7g/w200-h165/EMS_197_11_3.JPG" title="Bollington Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School, 1908 (ref: EMS 197/11/3)" width="200" /></a></div><br />If you’d like to have a copy of something from the Archives or our Local Studies collections, first head to our <a href="http://catalogue.cheshirearchives.org.uk/calmview/">online catalogue</a> then click on our <a href="https://www.cheshirearchives.org.uk/search-and-shop/search-and-shop.aspx">online shop</a> – and our Repro team will do the rest! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>All of these items and more can be viewed at Cheshire Record Office in Chester – or ordered from our Reprographics Department!</i></span><br /> </div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-28773925750585915132022-12-14T14:52:00.000+00:002022-12-14T14:52:10.650+00:00The Journey of a Local Studies Donation<span style="font-family: arial;">Earlier this year we received a fantastic collection of photographs of Crewe in the 1890s, kindly donated to us by one of our volunteers, Susan. We thought this blog would be a great opportunity to showcase the collection, as well as thank Susan for her donation, and to highlight all the staff and volunteers involved with the donation and cataloguing process. <br /><br />First a bit more about the photographs, and why Susan decided to donate it to us. Richard Baxter Booth was a Crewe dental surgeon, and this photograph collection was compiled by him in the 1890s. <br /><br />Susan says “I found the album for sale on eBay, and Baxter Booth’s granddaughter has been shown the images; her father, Walter (Baxter Booth’s son) was also a dentist and keen photographer. This is album number two; number one is lost unfortunately. Baxter Booth’s dental surgery was in the row of buildings on Crewe Market Square that was replaced by Marks & Spencer, it was the last one on the left on the corner of what is now Queensway. After his marriage he lived at Oaklands in Haslington; he was an active member of the Crewe Cycling Club, the Crewe Alexandra Cricket Club, and Crewe Golf Club. All the images are 'Kodak no. 2' prints”. Baxter Booth had previously lived at Fields Farm, Haslington, rented from the Crewe Estate. <br /><br />Once we had received the collection and Susan had completed our donation form, the photographs were passed to one of our conservators, Angela. <br /><br />Angela says, “The original binding had completely failed, so the loose album pages were cleaned with a plastic eraser and placed into custom made polyester sleeves and then put into an acid free folder. These preservation measures will protect the album pages and photographs when they are being handled and also protect them from dust and any fluctuating environmental conditions they may encounter.”<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqI02npm1kqN5BAOWarvErkeUENX9CHs29vgDxWvdl7Mo8mpboU0spkJd9uoyic3NCEHzFZHuvtlaLNspsbck6k2s4L3aDq2ZwfTtrCAZdqSZlC-Dx5w0Zy1pSrcWGYAubtDyXWrRSLq8Toki_1v4cdNW5Io4dUnEJ1JlT2IQmMwzHYpSGmmLVhdFIg/s962/Picture1%20-%20conservation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="962" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqI02npm1kqN5BAOWarvErkeUENX9CHs29vgDxWvdl7Mo8mpboU0spkJd9uoyic3NCEHzFZHuvtlaLNspsbck6k2s4L3aDq2ZwfTtrCAZdqSZlC-Dx5w0Zy1pSrcWGYAubtDyXWrRSLq8Toki_1v4cdNW5Io4dUnEJ1JlT2IQmMwzHYpSGmmLVhdFIg/w320-h240/Picture1%20-%20conservation.jpg" title="Angela finishes sleeving the loose album pages before storing them in an acid free four-flap folder." width="320" /></a></div><br />Next, the collection was looked at in more detail by our Local Studies Librarian, Heather. She tells us, “The collection was added to CALM, our collections management system, so that it could be found by staff, researchers, and members of the public online. CALM generated a unique 6-digit reference code for the item, 231804. It was also given a class number of VPH96, which helps to locate the item in our visual collection. Here I am storing the collection away in one of our strongrooms, in an archive box, and where temperature and humidity levels are monitored.” <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XmngM4ap8k9Zsu4udtWeiKgxvT9DCekrnuyKlJYpD03-7VpUJZ57Zj040Nw_Rju7ujydn4QjRyqERn9IxJaKpsXnuU7AHIz4zzibd-iIXfc27TrZtcvOrDKVun9-vdXHiK-03xObnxc1z-sq2OE5G13Hyc4QP_66AVCuA5vbXt4lwkJiVKO1cNVkwQ/s804/Picture2%20-%20strongroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="804" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XmngM4ap8k9Zsu4udtWeiKgxvT9DCekrnuyKlJYpD03-7VpUJZ57Zj040Nw_Rju7ujydn4QjRyqERn9IxJaKpsXnuU7AHIz4zzibd-iIXfc27TrZtcvOrDKVun9-vdXHiK-03xObnxc1z-sq2OE5G13Hyc4QP_66AVCuA5vbXt4lwkJiVKO1cNVkwQ/w320-h278/Picture2%20-%20strongroom.jpg" title="Heather stores the photograph collection in a strongroom, along with other items in our visual collection." width="320" /></a></div><br />Another of our volunteers, Helen, was tasked with looking at each individual photograph and indexing it onto a spreadsheet. <br /><br />Helen says “I am currently a volunteer working on the photographic archives at Duke Street, finding out any extra information about the subjects of the photographs and then entering all the information onto a spreadsheet. These spreadsheets, such as the one I worked on for the Richard Baxter Booth collection, will allow the public to access the information online, widening public access to the contents of the archives.” <br /><br />This should help any researcher interested in the collection to find the exact photograph most useful to them. Helped by Susan’s knowledge of the area at the time, and of the photographer Richard Baxter Booth, this task is now complete. Please speak to a member of staff if viewing this spreadsheet would be helpful to your research.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXa6b-P6xCqfuCYT9wY4z6tPc0IhMRuCQzlvxE6RoKRLh6jbjWNxi5mUws9T8R3BkM9GC66Qg_yXmOCyWzYlim1Z5pBp6eThtBQI4arEKNPwARa38rg5pi1btB4E9eLzz_UvMXY5rHF5axI0u3pLXskAgVfkjnf94GvAqg_OGXWIG_OTUAfcFlhHvgA/s896/Picture3%20-%20searchroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="884" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXa6b-P6xCqfuCYT9wY4z6tPc0IhMRuCQzlvxE6RoKRLh6jbjWNxi5mUws9T8R3BkM9GC66Qg_yXmOCyWzYlim1Z5pBp6eThtBQI4arEKNPwARa38rg5pi1btB4E9eLzz_UvMXY5rHF5axI0u3pLXskAgVfkjnf94GvAqg_OGXWIG_OTUAfcFlhHvgA/w316-h320/Picture3%20-%20searchroom.jpg" title="Helen (left) and Susan (right) discuss the photographs in the Searchroom." width="316" /></a></div><br />We have not yet digitised the whole collection, but a selection of our favourites are featured below. The album contains scenes and events in Crewe, such as the Crewe Flower Show and a football match, as well as buildings (the Mechanics Institute, Town Hall, pubs, churches), and also features the residences of other doctors/medical men in Crewe such as Dr Atkinson’s residence “Mirion House” on Earle Street. The photographer also used his friends, family, and pets as his subjects. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSNBLeFke6r7_giLCTGTWvUBvC58oiwAiX7Duce5WK1jqCE-fZ5X3zVL3DZsAIUg3X4rkw-3C9GZApWTwkTpGP7oUSZnyncO2-tkX90kauVLQCRZRcS4OoaGpQvp_TRjvmwG4LMbhGFFZO4Kwx4mpQFwEyF9G_DdadzPA02-uyUbsy-NqQKkUvbotnw/s836/VPH_96_130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="809" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSNBLeFke6r7_giLCTGTWvUBvC58oiwAiX7Duce5WK1jqCE-fZ5X3zVL3DZsAIUg3X4rkw-3C9GZApWTwkTpGP7oUSZnyncO2-tkX90kauVLQCRZRcS4OoaGpQvp_TRjvmwG4LMbhGFFZO4Kwx4mpQFwEyF9G_DdadzPA02-uyUbsy-NqQKkUvbotnw/w194-h200/VPH_96_130.jpg" title="A man skating on a frozen pond, at Fields Farm, Haslington (ref: VPH96/130)." width="194" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWJM0bEyQFSlJnucl-EQG6Nz8e-R3ka_mzbjQDTkjTttltDh4hn_JlqHciPTThWQ5SMkfIuiotJ4sTITMPq0R6Ma4Z3ceyRw-d-CbrY-Ro1YLQ-5PHraOeO4q-kP5d3QJaCTDrhgfAPOXBUipsu41kGmFIL7gbbhNtJP-GDhy1Lz-OhzXvrMqgeQxlA/s823/VPH_96_31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="795" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWJM0bEyQFSlJnucl-EQG6Nz8e-R3ka_mzbjQDTkjTttltDh4hn_JlqHciPTThWQ5SMkfIuiotJ4sTITMPq0R6Ma4Z3ceyRw-d-CbrY-Ro1YLQ-5PHraOeO4q-kP5d3QJaCTDrhgfAPOXBUipsu41kGmFIL7gbbhNtJP-GDhy1Lz-OhzXvrMqgeQxlA/w193-h200/VPH_96_31.jpg" title="A football match: the Crewe and District Cup final between Juniors and Hornets (ref: VPH96/31)." width="193" /></a></div><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIpkgtHZ15jQAAIlPY-iXJ9q1rwZERjiQkHkaq7xiZ4M7c7uTw66UHDiKDBkclfX-BSs8e8bqx23rb5opiy9AE-_iPArXz5Kmuh38C4zfB2lADu0D73BrQpMDEw_qRYRhpCLs6zXPCY6qCUkFhXJP0TAMourEDbR4wjxwb44KBljQSanvwi39rjXBhQ/s862/VPH_96_67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="791" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIpkgtHZ15jQAAIlPY-iXJ9q1rwZERjiQkHkaq7xiZ4M7c7uTw66UHDiKDBkclfX-BSs8e8bqx23rb5opiy9AE-_iPArXz5Kmuh38C4zfB2lADu0D73BrQpMDEw_qRYRhpCLs6zXPCY6qCUkFhXJP0TAMourEDbR4wjxwb44KBljQSanvwi39rjXBhQ/w184-h200/VPH_96_67.jpg" title="Union Street Baptist Chapel (ref: VPH96/67)." width="184" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHviSMLEhhfqQU73Bi_Cr_9xRIN5kpWma4mWptqUDpOVF74YQAi0kM4qhH1Xs--43ibjt9a9x1KqT1ZiTDKW0R2xZ1lztUTE4FbLZaixx-OhXGwh3sE4cVzAlJhvCHQa-Ioju5xVrbwHas8DixvBBj9XCRxDVe_Q5PemV6xFYOoEPTEsOHGluWY4lIXw/s865/VPH_96_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="793" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHviSMLEhhfqQU73Bi_Cr_9xRIN5kpWma4mWptqUDpOVF74YQAi0kM4qhH1Xs--43ibjt9a9x1KqT1ZiTDKW0R2xZ1lztUTE4FbLZaixx-OhXGwh3sE4cVzAlJhvCHQa-Ioju5xVrbwHas8DixvBBj9XCRxDVe_Q5PemV6xFYOoEPTEsOHGluWY4lIXw/w183-h200/VPH_96_4.jpg" title="A snapshot of Crewe workmen crossing Moss Square (ref: VPH96/4)." width="183" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9huJyaJGsjYt-Z5ABw5o7NBssVrDbol-xAYCVJbnub6JpU2v5_x393HH5VGs1Ay_RB8dgOdDBc8yqF1-Ygd9LaFxx4COMA7XbLPYibloVE9upzE1hRzTBQynXkj1m4QbvyySV9sQ3q3OMOxsHm7wh_9vKRVnArz_tWp-r5hTQJv1yNbo2TCZtmlnCuA/s797/VPH_96_136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="783" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9huJyaJGsjYt-Z5ABw5o7NBssVrDbol-xAYCVJbnub6JpU2v5_x393HH5VGs1Ay_RB8dgOdDBc8yqF1-Ygd9LaFxx4COMA7XbLPYibloVE9upzE1hRzTBQynXkj1m4QbvyySV9sQ3q3OMOxsHm7wh_9vKRVnArz_tWp-r5hTQJv1yNbo2TCZtmlnCuA/w196-h200/VPH_96_136.jpg" title="A dog in a snowy field at the photographer's home Fields Farm, Haslington (VPH96/136)." width="196" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4CRDc6RrvPCAzrOfNCgqXWM8MsEbeZH1EeiiPOyldCWtTCmscUb0RGZ2X4VCO5MPhhRmE8A4C7VqokMYsppPiYezq0ERqYLu0i3icKpZrnS4yL1jH3NiX7opJZRb6I8w4C7iZSbYleS8C5wThT_qst3SQhygC1vUXV4Bep0irDqDRZ__TJUhboafjg/s876/VPH_96_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="811" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4CRDc6RrvPCAzrOfNCgqXWM8MsEbeZH1EeiiPOyldCWtTCmscUb0RGZ2X4VCO5MPhhRmE8A4C7VqokMYsppPiYezq0ERqYLu0i3icKpZrnS4yL1jH3NiX7opJZRb6I8w4C7iZSbYleS8C5wThT_qst3SQhygC1vUXV4Bep0irDqDRZ__TJUhboafjg/w185-h200/VPH_96_17.jpg" title="The Chetwode Arms, High Town Crossroads. This public house has since been demolished (ref: VPH96/17)." width="185" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinhq5E7a8Gi6mJgaq-TAJCyMwTiT_uJ-Ap7I9g1YWE9yQ_i7DAIWzyGRfF09xEPcWt0y34dUjGx-9uTNYfEcBFRDyQvZG6cxw4zQP3jIkmrTGOVbjeZKhBeze7aJY5--UDLFoquBn5TEzNk1Oz3ZMWq0JfA9HJAYZfGYc7V5C6RBV_pBiWJgAU-cmhA/s878/VPH_96_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="817" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinhq5E7a8Gi6mJgaq-TAJCyMwTiT_uJ-Ap7I9g1YWE9yQ_i7DAIWzyGRfF09xEPcWt0y34dUjGx-9uTNYfEcBFRDyQvZG6cxw4zQP3jIkmrTGOVbjeZKhBeze7aJY5--UDLFoquBn5TEzNk1Oz3ZMWq0JfA9HJAYZfGYc7V5C6RBV_pBiWJgAU-cmhA/w186-h200/VPH_96_9.jpg" title="The Crewe & Nantwich Chronicle offices, Market Street (ref: VPH96/9)." width="186" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2GnfCp0oTOZDhdLrVVR7rAc0mznz6Q2xfLIPnPxVbrbLmoRt5NgUb0EwKRLQMEgAmJ-arTzB_5GoTvGBBYiTxCp3qEOPEaZh0slvQ69WViXKWlBud9W0hq0aqXDeU94anzVt_W0vI2K2yFLFtsMYz7OrqnbQdSrTLIQ6LzIChKOpS72h73E_hMoo2w/s895/VPH_96_108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="799" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2GnfCp0oTOZDhdLrVVR7rAc0mznz6Q2xfLIPnPxVbrbLmoRt5NgUb0EwKRLQMEgAmJ-arTzB_5GoTvGBBYiTxCp3qEOPEaZh0slvQ69WViXKWlBud9W0hq0aqXDeU94anzVt_W0vI2K2yFLFtsMYz7OrqnbQdSrTLIQ6LzIChKOpS72h73E_hMoo2w/w179-h200/VPH_96_108.jpg" title="A nurseryman at Crewe Hall (ref: VPH96/108)." width="179" /></a></div><br />The next step will be to have more of this fantastic album digitised and available on the <a href="http://www.CheshireImageBank.org.uk" target="_blank">Cheshire Image Bank</a> website. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">If this blog has inspired you to consider donating an item or collection to us, then we would love to hear from you. Please do contact us first, as we can then check that the item fits with our collection policy and is not something we already have. You can get in touch with us via our <a href="http://www.cheshirearchives.org.uk" target="_blank">website</a>, telephone 01244 972574 or email <a href="mailto:recordoffice@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk">recordoffice@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk</a>. </span><br /> </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>All of these photographs and more are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester.</i></span></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-3601094535730600872022-12-02T16:39:00.000+00:002022-12-02T16:39:46.972+00:00How did Cheshire care for people with learning disabilities years ago?<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A story from our collections that starts and finishes in the
Knutsford area over the course of three hundred years. It is an important part of the story of how
communities have tried to care for people with learning disabilities through
the centuries.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 1647 William Barlow from Cranage presented a petition, not the kind with hundreds of signatures, but in effect a request to the county court held at Knutsford
for a decision on who should care for his nephew. The document below tells us that William Barlow was a poor man
and could no longer maintain the eight-year-old boy with disabilities who had
been left in a shippon (an old word for an animal shed), in Sandbach after the death of his
father. The decision at the bottom of the court record is tricky
to read but instructs ‘The parish to keep the child’. This is the 'old' poor law in action, in 1601 local communities had become officially responsible for people who couldn't support themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RftzuEM-UQsmRIAzdi5VcAtf-bVnm_dUUV8LY4lfXchwFGbTWN64E9gFl1ysnndLPGzGWgjokBD48xRTAhtaoA5Y7ksmRtiiB5kLf1BcsED85Kyfy_PzNRwWcMCxL4zWuZnLl3jC4tNM-CUDlPrVW0iXhHgpl1lUkZk3Bae-PrREBLQ83_xm0YphkA/s4427/QJF_75_4_119.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3594" data-original-width="4427" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RftzuEM-UQsmRIAzdi5VcAtf-bVnm_dUUV8LY4lfXchwFGbTWN64E9gFl1ysnndLPGzGWgjokBD48xRTAhtaoA5Y7ksmRtiiB5kLf1BcsED85Kyfy_PzNRwWcMCxL4zWuZnLl3jC4tNM-CUDlPrVW0iXhHgpl1lUkZk3Bae-PrREBLQ83_xm0YphkA/w400-h325/QJF_75_4_119.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As populations grew and moved around for work and economic
and social conditions changed people who couldn’t look after themselves had no choice but to enter the institutions that were the solution offered by the new poor law – workhouses. In the census
record for Knutsford Workhouse in 1881 which is just a snapshot of who was there
on one night, out of 159 inmates 15 are identified as people with learning
disabilities, the majority from birth, they are men and women of all ages, none
with usual occupations, so perhaps unlikely to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the end of the nineteenth century, Victorians were looking
to solve society’s problems with the same zeal for science that
they had applied elsewhere. Darwin’s theory of natural
selection led to the thoughts behind the failed so-called science of eugenics, named from the Greek words that mean ‘good
birth’, and in 1913 an Act was passed to separate people with learning disabilities
out of other institutions and society and into colonies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Cheshire the first home in England for the permanent care of children with learning disabilities, the Sandlebridge Colony, was opened at
Warford near Alderley Edge in 1908. It was later renamed the Mary Dendy Home after its
founder. Mary Dendy had observed children with learning disabilities excluded
from education and on the streets of Manchester. Her record-keeping survives
with us and suggests that she certainly considered what conditions might be
inherited and had the intention of keeping young men and women permanently apart
for life. But realistically could she have raised the funds to open the home without
embracing the solution that had captured the popular imagination? And what of
the people she wanted to look after – before medical treatment or therapies that would have helped some, was
a safe place in the Cheshire countryside with meaningful activities around food
production and looking after each other not a better outcome than the alternative? It is impossible to put ourselves entirely in other people's shoes from the past, but what we can do is voice people's stories who are talked about in the records to try and understand more.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJerY9opBVOfW0t8DmQatcnUERfKI6F-ITkjll4IsZv4Os8TYTBc9MdpWHIxhUtDxc5o3VuzCVAqokfplRxGECR8erPX8YZWZfJdRu8a1uyqGIriqHrJ02cq6kTdPgzcVjx2-doyNTUedL9mzDgCOPj521BEWkHHIWy0voBLYk2rjXpiZoh6gc8t9oIA/s962/Screenshot%202022-12-01%20132845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="962" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJerY9opBVOfW0t8DmQatcnUERfKI6F-ITkjll4IsZv4Os8TYTBc9MdpWHIxhUtDxc5o3VuzCVAqokfplRxGECR8erPX8YZWZfJdRu8a1uyqGIriqHrJ02cq6kTdPgzcVjx2-doyNTUedL9mzDgCOPj521BEWkHHIWy0voBLYk2rjXpiZoh6gc8t9oIA/w400-h325/Screenshot%202022-12-01%20132845.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">The <a href="http://www.snowangels.org.uk/all-our-stories/" target="_blank">All Our Stories</a> project has researched the
lives of some of the children who Mary Dendy kept records about, including boys
who ran away to serve in the First World War, and one of these is Harry
Hetherington. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He arrived at Sandlebridge from Salford in 1906 after the death of his mother
and younger brother, he ran away and enlisted to fight in the First World War and
was discharged with a gunshot wound to his right wrist, in 1922 he had found
work as an attendant at Belle Vue Zoo in Manchester. He later married and died
aged 76. Of course, not all stories are so hopeful, there is a moving account
of what it is like to encounter these records on the <a href="https://www.warfordhistory.co.uk/?p=585" target="_blank">Warford history site</a>.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the spirit of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2022 we hope that the stories told in the archives in a hundred years' time about today are a departure from the past and demonstrate '<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.35px;">the active p</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.35px;">articipation of persons with disabilities in their full diversity, and their full inclusion in all decision-making processes.' </span><span style="background-color: white;">António Guterres, United Nations</span></span></p>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-5153129039350562052022-11-17T10:35:00.002+00:002022-11-17T10:35:21.827+00:00Cheshire Railways: Third Stop - Maps and Plans<span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote><i>"A map says to you. Read me carefully, follow me closely, doubt me not… I am the earth in the palm of your hand."</i></blockquote>If this quote from aviator and adventurer Beryl Markham is to be true, then Cheshire Archives holds huge swathes of Cheshire’s earth, and beyond, in the hundreds of maps and plans in our railway collection. Plans of tracks, stations, bridges, tunnels, foot bridges, signalling, derailments, engine sheds, schools, goods yards, waiting rooms, lines that were built, lines that were never built - even the Station Master’s bathroom in Bebington. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the last few years lots of work has been carried out to list, organise and repackage these plans to make them available for the public to view. So join us in this exploration of Cheshire’s railways and hold the earth, or at least some of it, in the palm of your hand.<br /><br /></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">First stop - understanding the plans</span></h4><span style="font-family: arial;">For some of the plans it is clear why they were made and what they are trying to show. The plans of Runcorn Bridge, for instance, are easy to understand. They show the bridge from various angles and different sections and elevations, and it doesn’t require knowledge of railway engineering to appreciate them. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Other plans are more complex. The estate plans of lines with lots of handwritten annotations are difficult to understand. Was the line built, or not? What is the date? Sometimes a date is clearly stamped, but it is obvious that these were working plans and the annotations were added over years or even decades. But take from them what you can. The estate plans are full of wonderful details outlining ownership of parcels of land adjacent to the lines. They can include details that may not be found between census records, Ordnance Survey maps or other well-used family and local history records. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The plans were made for many different reasons. Some reasons are clear - such as to plan the construction of a bridge or the planning of a railway line - but for other plans it is less clear what the purpose is for. In listing and organising the collection, we have tried to make it clear on our catalogue what information can be taken from them - even when the purpose of the plan is less clear. As with all archives, the information contained within them can far exceed the purpose for which it was captured.<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xYeTuO11-SKe97Gha9t2lWuSxBNS9-rxDHHXVsWczQPI5cVo1SmwQkHoHGgRSssjYqYIxWRtlYq9rucemVwyMXOVw4TNk7MGDSAJZKkB6UGk6W0KCTPc6qq5gcKJqEVUrza3jk1zVrJuIY1RbD1j2k5XGdLG6XInv0AYdIw4fyTMMih84GHTN7FAGA/s3967/NPR_4203_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1748" data-original-width="3967" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xYeTuO11-SKe97Gha9t2lWuSxBNS9-rxDHHXVsWczQPI5cVo1SmwQkHoHGgRSssjYqYIxWRtlYq9rucemVwyMXOVw4TNk7MGDSAJZKkB6UGk6W0KCTPc6qq5gcKJqEVUrza3jk1zVrJuIY1RbD1j2k5XGdLG6XInv0AYdIw4fyTMMih84GHTN7FAGA/w400-h176/NPR_4203_.jpg" title="Barnwell, extension of down platform and provision of new roadway (ref: NPR 4203/19b)" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Second stop - understanding the types of plans</span></h4><span style="font-family: arial;">Firstly, there are plans that were created by the Engineering Department. These include buildings such as stations, waiting rooms, engineering sheds and goods yards. They show what the building would have looked like externally and internally - often in great detail. They show measurements and exist in various scales. Sometimes they show the area around the building and its location in relation to the wider station plan. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVPwyUvzq6UoctuzZ1Nx_Hoj0WNq0xV78o4WRHHmz4aR1HEQZf9OMWWyXBouJccrKjI2z2w7T8XYTl6x2OEBkMdrV9t_fjM1bNlX7TDjrgsm2iJY8iooQDntg_Dgc4GvsJAysCYqunMXUZqdMgEL0nU1jjAK1DxRbJXq12iqRKs-sugRtzsftgcYWqA/s3765/NPR_4203_19_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3765" data-original-width="2878" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVPwyUvzq6UoctuzZ1Nx_Hoj0WNq0xV78o4WRHHmz4aR1HEQZf9OMWWyXBouJccrKjI2z2w7T8XYTl6x2OEBkMdrV9t_fjM1bNlX7TDjrgsm2iJY8iooQDntg_Dgc4GvsJAysCYqunMXUZqdMgEL0nU1jjAK1DxRbJXq12iqRKs-sugRtzsftgcYWqA/w245-h320/NPR_4203_19_5.jpg" title="Section of plan of Squires Gate, new station general plan (ref: NPR 4203/19a)" width="245" /></a></div><br />There are plans of bridges, tunnels, culverts and viaducts. These are very similar in detail to the plans of the buildings, but often include mile points that indicate their position on the railway line. Engineering plans also include inspection sketches and signalling with details of alterations to tracks, signalling, sidings and junctions. There are also many more varied plans of engineering works such as drainage, line widening, and track plans.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcQsmCRFy4oKqR5DGN-GPdcud96Qu9_ykHY9Bz7KHrrRwwOobzrOqfQqLAfwA1R1FEgGP5zicul_HXENGqarxBnggCiDRh7iFyFTzrv0PDKnZYEFRtmMYbsd5fAriSHf_y-WUGKFUvauaA7WzMIPtse24YhnrYtUNGfw3WW3ho6EdA_PI_j-67aZ3hQ/s6000/NPR_1699_10%20Crewe%20Railway%20Station%20and%20Works.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcQsmCRFy4oKqR5DGN-GPdcud96Qu9_ykHY9Bz7KHrrRwwOobzrOqfQqLAfwA1R1FEgGP5zicul_HXENGqarxBnggCiDRh7iFyFTzrv0PDKnZYEFRtmMYbsd5fAriSHf_y-WUGKFUvauaA7WzMIPtse24YhnrYtUNGfw3WW3ho6EdA_PI_j-67aZ3hQ/w200-h133/NPR_1699_10%20Crewe%20Railway%20Station%20and%20Works.jpg" title="Crewe Station: track plan, old works, millwright shop (ref: NPR 1699/10)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpNgN8uhP19sLrMtLCmKRIcwRLQMJkB6faCz6os-CaWvQaxXUYmJBXACeWm1BRvuezm9naNuBBQSgwN1wVstt_lwIveRAVbS8w-VAzo-y0ELyxKyroXV3DyF-6B441Np_uIvxExXqC6r4JOf8T7g56awEMSAUaE3vP3zoejPhKlbNtpMfoNGIRixvRg/s4443/NPR_1699_10_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2962" data-original-width="4443" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpNgN8uhP19sLrMtLCmKRIcwRLQMJkB6faCz6os-CaWvQaxXUYmJBXACeWm1BRvuezm9naNuBBQSgwN1wVstt_lwIveRAVbS8w-VAzo-y0ELyxKyroXV3DyF-6B441Np_uIvxExXqC6r4JOf8T7g56awEMSAUaE3vP3zoejPhKlbNtpMfoNGIRixvRg/w200-h133/NPR_1699_10_1.jpg" title="Crewe Station: track plan, old works, millwright shop (ref: NPR 1699/10/1)" width="200" /></a></div><br />The second series of records are those created by the Estate Department. These are more complex and can be difficult to understand. They largely consist of plans showing the full line or a section of a line. In their most basic sense, they show the routes and the land around them. They are full of details such who owned the land adjacent to the line. This is great if you are researching a nearby property or piece of land, especially if no other mapping exists for that point in time. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The plans are drawn to various scales but the most common are the 2 chains to 1 inch surveys (1 chain=22 yards). They can be individual plans of a section of a line, or can be many plans bound together in large unwieldly volumes. They are often annotated with details that sometimes can be easy to understand or sometimes complex and technical. They are often stamped with details of different railway companies and have clearly been used over many years. They have been listed on our catalogue with the start and end point of the line, with details in the description of the stations in between which are featured. <br /><br /></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Third stop - understanding the scope</span></h4><span style="font-family: arial;">The lines didn’t stop at county boundaries and neither do the railway plans. As such, it follows that a lot of the plans go beyond the scope of Cheshire. There are many plans for neighbouring counties but also many from much further afield including lines in Ireland and Wales. The plans are listed in good detail on our catalogue, so a search for the place of interest should be easily found. <br /><br /></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilICD6BAK1xiJR9mthZwvf3eoNdtBrpGSZT3K2ygxhfjDhaSSF_RoyuGQveZct1SHZa7zN7G5o9UI6HSDBl5S42XsVWE8zGOb0VJU2bqxmE8GIxhniuMXX6pKFbH7GK4z2LP4_BntXwUeg/s6000/NPR+_9224_80+Chester+Joint+Station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilICD6BAK1xiJR9mthZwvf3eoNdtBrpGSZT3K2ygxhfjDhaSSF_RoyuGQveZct1SHZa7zN7G5o9UI6HSDBl5S42XsVWE8zGOb0VJU2bqxmE8GIxhniuMXX6pKFbH7GK4z2LP4_BntXwUeg/w320-h213/NPR+_9224_80+Chester+Joint+Station.JPG" title="Chester Joint Station (ref: NPR 9224/80)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Final destination - the catalogue</span></h4><span style="font-family: arial;">The plans on our online catalogue are arranged under three sections; engineering plans, estate plans, and deposited parliamentary plans. The deposited parliamentary plans are a shorter series and compliment those deposited plans in our Quarter Session records (see <a href="http://catalogue.cheshirearchives.org.uk/calmview/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=Q%2fD%2fP&pos=1" target="_blank">QDP</a>). Within each section they are sub-divided into types of plans such as ‘stations and buildings’, ‘line sections’ etc. Within each series they are listed alphabetically by place. A further guide is in progress that will allow researchers to identify which line a station or structure sat on and if we hold plans. Watch this space for further details on this.<br /><br />The railways covered a lot of earth and the plans cover a large portion of this. Search our <a href="http://catalogue.cheshirearchives.org.uk/calmview/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=NPR&pos=1" target="_blank">catalogue</a> to discover the full extent and arrange a visit to the Record Office to hold them in the palm of your hand.</span><br /> </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>All of these items are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester. Part 1 of this blog is <a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/10/cheshire-railways-first-stop-history.html" target="_blank">First Stop - The History</a> and Part 2 is <a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/10/cheshire-railways-second-stop-employee.html" target="_blank">Second Stop - Employee Records.</a> </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-227142461875761792022-11-01T09:43:00.000+00:002022-11-01T09:43:25.578+00:00Merry Movember!<span style="font-family: arial;">Movember is an annual event, founded in 2003, to raise awareness of men’s health issues. It encourages men (known as ‘Mo Bros’) to grow moustaches during the month of November to raise money for male cancers and mental health.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here at Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, we often come across photographs of gentlemen from bygone days who had impressive facial hair. So, in honour of Movember, here are some of our favourites: our Top Ten Mo Bros of the past!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">At number 10, our countdown starts with a portrait from a Victorian photo album (ref: 231320). Taken around 1868, we think the moustache is an excellent finishing touch to this man’s smart uniform! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4Hn-Vrzyt9irl2X8bblx5ccbGe9ARcNz1o0C56hGdwiry1bSYPIBjtiUB7C_SoTwpMszumCHnw7HgyL32njpxLOIZnxYJ-UcBqDZwBNcMF9addEEFKjlGELXv20xRwW_n8uEBfjHf2C4oiWZxjiRNj6iJRlrXOKrhObC60YNrwOLm79gnJctUREZEQ/s1227/231320_003_cropped.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="756" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4Hn-Vrzyt9irl2X8bblx5ccbGe9ARcNz1o0C56hGdwiry1bSYPIBjtiUB7C_SoTwpMszumCHnw7HgyL32njpxLOIZnxYJ-UcBqDZwBNcMF9addEEFKjlGELXv20xRwW_n8uEBfjHf2C4oiWZxjiRNj6iJRlrXOKrhObC60YNrwOLm79gnJctUREZEQ/w394-h640/231320_003_cropped.JPG" title="Portrait from a Victorian photograph album, c.1868 (ref: 231320)" width="394" /></a></div><br />In at number 9 is a group of
businessmen photographed in Wilmslow in the 1910s (Cheshire Image Bank ref:
c10067). Apart from just one clean-shaven gentleman in the centre, it's a</span><span style="font-family: arial;">n impressive range of moustaches - particularly in the back row!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ85aKo-UGKW1errxmO-txlpr1CQGVM3Q_tQFChAKtQZ_PvRU77zg8qZY5Q3JqedCacFIgB5PS3roYxOUf54lgJgKlQk3dOx6ecWMXKZO0vW0yPaILXCph8WBqkVBIDRMwgo-cgbdT0IB-xbqlTyA76wjTqsTYboJh2vVl0iAM5ML3el4vv5fRNvpxmQ/s3228/c10067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="3228" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ85aKo-UGKW1errxmO-txlpr1CQGVM3Q_tQFChAKtQZ_PvRU77zg8qZY5Q3JqedCacFIgB5PS3roYxOUf54lgJgKlQk3dOx6ecWMXKZO0vW0yPaILXCph8WBqkVBIDRMwgo-cgbdT0IB-xbqlTyA76wjTqsTYboJh2vVl0iAM5ML3el4vv5fRNvpxmQ/w640-h438/c10067.jpg" title="Wilmslow: group of business men, 1910s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c10067)" width="640" /></a></div><br />Number 8 is an example of an early police ‘mug shot’. It is taken from police records of criminals charged and convicted in Chester in the 1860s and 70s (ref: ZDPO 2/15) and shows John Williams. He was sentenced to 14 days hard labour in 1870 for stealing an umbrella.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtctLe23oueDPzd64SfkAQfZ4IScoFq0XhtBzyuxPWKiZp34RMKvE4yxhJFictFGGcVyhoSKBEAQBAnM-6X4BwnYF5Vi3BBwjgi7gkelaPax64VBC8VPTqivg1ou6a3fg38h_z1YlVuQ58rPacPy9f_UueQ3UkdTBM68ZH4s303RK0XxtOejKKxnf64g/s1992/dpo2-15%20john%20williamsA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="1604" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtctLe23oueDPzd64SfkAQfZ4IScoFq0XhtBzyuxPWKiZp34RMKvE4yxhJFictFGGcVyhoSKBEAQBAnM-6X4BwnYF5Vi3BBwjgi7gkelaPax64VBC8VPTqivg1ou6a3fg38h_z1YlVuQ58rPacPy9f_UueQ3UkdTBM68ZH4s303RK0XxtOejKKxnf64g/w323-h400/dpo2-15%20john%20williamsA.jpg" title="Photographs of criminals charged and convicted in Chester, 1860s-1870s. John Williams, 1870 (ref: ZDPO 2/15)" width="323" /></a></div><br />Number 7 is a portrait is of an unknown group, perhaps a family, from the 1890s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c08811). It’s from our ‘Mystery Images Unresolved’ collection – can anyone help us identify the Mo Bro in the centre?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7f_it8hK5XwCOThdV_e6N-_oqTufxJ1Rgk9SliC2ll7EoFQPGEEyU_9gXrIKWQNZnH3hVmGeCd9q1QQERWEitW0Q4MoGN6KCxom-gwv4PucCp6QIrKyP4NFg_I_P61_JkdKGGX0Hvjifv1jw9WgD_6O96VWWxEH_m6Y8JW6MkUiGZCgBt_25P3JMgQ/s1205/c08811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1205" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7f_it8hK5XwCOThdV_e6N-_oqTufxJ1Rgk9SliC2ll7EoFQPGEEyU_9gXrIKWQNZnH3hVmGeCd9q1QQERWEitW0Q4MoGN6KCxom-gwv4PucCp6QIrKyP4NFg_I_P61_JkdKGGX0Hvjifv1jw9WgD_6O96VWWxEH_m6Y8JW6MkUiGZCgBt_25P3JMgQ/w640-h450/c08811.jpg" title="Portrait of unknown group, 1890s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c08811)" width="640" /></a></div><br />The image below is from document ZCR 86A/481, a folder containing portraits of staff and students at the University of Chester from 1857 to 1890. We aren’t sure who this man was, but his moustache has made it to number 6 of our countdown!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YHx2E5UA-1maxoDT-JSlGc1QuUEO43mUmmYPAc-9_4yehu3JVGw-e2TWeycAfrSCP9OcG6ClLd1hUKjC-jMyxGKJpbArPPteux3AsosYtfoQQRJvJKdg6OUmUweffW89qvF_2Q5jbAABw1j35xt1rN_yJQNdcnRMT1Ew1kRligsTTAx6oJA5ibNs6g/s210/ZCR_86A_481_3_cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="151" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YHx2E5UA-1maxoDT-JSlGc1QuUEO43mUmmYPAc-9_4yehu3JVGw-e2TWeycAfrSCP9OcG6ClLd1hUKjC-jMyxGKJpbArPPteux3AsosYtfoQQRJvJKdg6OUmUweffW89qvF_2Q5jbAABw1j35xt1rN_yJQNdcnRMT1Ew1kRligsTTAx6oJA5ibNs6g/w288-h400/ZCR_86A_481_3_cropped.jpg" title="University of Chester, folder containing portraits of staff and students, c1857-1890 (ref: ZCR/86A/481)" width="288" /></a></div><br />Number 5 is taken from a photograph album of the Second Cheshire Royal Engineers, also known as the Crewe Railway Volunteers, c.1895 (ref: 230725). Those without facial hair look younger – it may be coincidence, or could a moustache have indicated a more senior rank?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R6gQP2BMkus7zn15sVKzpqBUDt1dQviAr6UMSNRodDG9BfK8xlXKSPn1ounAEOdz-P-2hpvPYK-lL3VZfEgBYROzeFworZKQzj1gg396dak82tIk1yALYqq8uvGqweC8p5XDfNE7lAqz6VlO298n5B28yJfEXi20a5DviERCISV2DVHjAZrZ9FkhoQ/s3662/230725.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2995" data-original-width="3662" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R6gQP2BMkus7zn15sVKzpqBUDt1dQviAr6UMSNRodDG9BfK8xlXKSPn1ounAEOdz-P-2hpvPYK-lL3VZfEgBYROzeFworZKQzj1gg396dak82tIk1yALYqq8uvGqweC8p5XDfNE7lAqz6VlO298n5B28yJfEXi20a5DviERCISV2DVHjAZrZ9FkhoQ/w640-h525/230725.JPG" title="2nd Cheshire Royal Engineers photo album, c.1895 (ref: 230725)" width="640" /></a></div><br />Number 4 is another police mug shot (ref: ZDPO 2/27). It shows Thomas Cross who was sentenced to two months in prison in December 1871 for stealing leather. Read more about him in our blog from April this year, <i><a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-thomas-cross-affair-hard-times-in.html" target="_blank">The Thomas Cross Affair: Hard Times in the Chester Leather Industry.</a></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc73_mmY74odoUl_RLEdpvCPHlcLa3ScrQsu9KNCkZ8f8wZTkkUVn2ABuvSpTTJNJvsRcs8ydsRVyA_x2jR8rF0Lo3fUCCbP2yjipQ_E25dhh52dpsB4lkuB78YM8XK-GaeE3u26ssoUopRvxsYjjF4AQOWrzDVjp21zhVZbrX9qV9CbpoJ-3Inm9Ag/s682/DPO_2_27a_cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="542" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc73_mmY74odoUl_RLEdpvCPHlcLa3ScrQsu9KNCkZ8f8wZTkkUVn2ABuvSpTTJNJvsRcs8ydsRVyA_x2jR8rF0Lo3fUCCbP2yjipQ_E25dhh52dpsB4lkuB78YM8XK-GaeE3u26ssoUopRvxsYjjF4AQOWrzDVjp21zhVZbrX9qV9CbpoJ-3Inm9Ag/w318-h400/DPO_2_27a_cropped.jpg" title="Photographs of criminals charged and convicted in Chester, 1860s-1870s. Thomas Cross, 1871 (ref: ZDPO 2/27)" width="318" /></a></div><br />Into the top 3, this is an unknown group of men photographed in Ellesmere Port during the 1910s. An impressive selection of Mo Bros – can anyone shed any light on who they were?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2X3U2YLHvyOcfA9Cnnaw-CtMotpCHjEioiODfFklpup7ORGkPCdZLBfbjL8h_Jl4uncJlqjpAw_J9AFAkwUy9ZBIbn7WlI3gL6Wvw_XNxP27Af4Zxtg6eqXqhxjGTsxKsUuhyQreuITbNaaJvAbekHKaP84_4SadWNbR9Pxrz0XPr-KSshvebo6e8mw/s3459/c09535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2401" data-original-width="3459" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2X3U2YLHvyOcfA9Cnnaw-CtMotpCHjEioiODfFklpup7ORGkPCdZLBfbjL8h_Jl4uncJlqjpAw_J9AFAkwUy9ZBIbn7WlI3gL6Wvw_XNxP27Af4Zxtg6eqXqhxjGTsxKsUuhyQreuITbNaaJvAbekHKaP84_4SadWNbR9Pxrz0XPr-KSshvebo6e8mw/w640-h445/c09535.jpg" title="Ellesmere Port: unknown group, 1910s (Image Bank ref: c09535)" width="640" /></a></div><br />At 2, we love this image of a soldier, taken from the same Victorian photograph album as our friend at number 10 (ref: 231320). Do you think he grew the moustache to match his bearskin hat, or did he choose a profession where the uniform matched his ‘tache?!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQIzhSnHsZmnht8JaT9w9DcPXR8OM4wKjEisuOYGn-QGSc4emvwPuO7sLdMwlBGDPONNp6wXTSsUx8NIurujGB-7DqoC2kEY-rwrybnBr6OCbmAobNWSjsLKgQMpKN03kF6pRMsgU34MHaCe_CjcU0nPzcXIipb4p4wIDEmB1k9TIB2N1-Tufadvxeg/s1281/231320_002_cropped.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQIzhSnHsZmnht8JaT9w9DcPXR8OM4wKjEisuOYGn-QGSc4emvwPuO7sLdMwlBGDPONNp6wXTSsUx8NIurujGB-7DqoC2kEY-rwrybnBr6OCbmAobNWSjsLKgQMpKN03kF6pRMsgU34MHaCe_CjcU0nPzcXIipb4p4wIDEmB1k9TIB2N1-Tufadvxeg/w400-h640/231320_002_cropped.JPG" title="Portrait from a Victorian photograph album, c.1868 (ref: 231320)" width="400" /></a></div><br />Finally, in first place is an image from our Cheshire Fire Brigades collection: it is a formal photograph of Winsford Fire Department (ref: D7474/59) from the early 20th century - a fine group of Mo Bros, we hope you’ll agree!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj682iSEsl7Jl3TeowaH4Za9XTLRGeEXwGrZasP9Ijp3VJAZQiaQ9sNCEY5bASR8-1CKMdCVINZbmmAC9OvEPiuhohrcjxTRZu4g-7-ufMeBBDpFNhrDePZDsmKpXfRe6wGD-WsT16b_r3BAybDvaptyZ3_QSUvKTyX1lxYHPQ4jBtU3J9VM7C_vBgk1g/s3705/D_7474_59.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2382" data-original-width="3705" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj682iSEsl7Jl3TeowaH4Za9XTLRGeEXwGrZasP9Ijp3VJAZQiaQ9sNCEY5bASR8-1CKMdCVINZbmmAC9OvEPiuhohrcjxTRZu4g-7-ufMeBBDpFNhrDePZDsmKpXfRe6wGD-WsT16b_r3BAybDvaptyZ3_QSUvKTyX1lxYHPQ4jBtU3J9VM7C_vBgk1g/w640-h413/D_7474_59.jpg" title="Winsford Fire Department, early 20th century (ref: D7474/59)" width="640" /></a></div><br />We hope you like this small selection. Do let us know if you have a favourite - and we wish you a Merry Movember!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><i>All of these images and more are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester. <br /></i></span><br /> </div></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-82727476349517240782022-10-20T10:12:00.000+01:002022-10-20T10:12:57.963+01:00Cheshire Railways: Second Stop - Employee Records<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Cheshire Railways: First Stop - The History</i> is available<i> </i><a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/10/cheshire-railways-first-stop-history.html" target="_blank">here.</a></span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">When the railways emerged in the nineteenth century there was very quickly a need for workers to build, repair, operate and make the railways run smoothly. Engineers such as Brunel designed the railways, but who were the people that kept the lines in operation?</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v1WiPe861D666w4kY_ZF7a_jLqd9NtM8TNw2zGrQA-A4QRWSR79s43xEx5of5XuqLJxTp72MhH-n_94TqftUdJiO9a-6IcU7zrEeUZe3PfVusZ17wjKt4fuXE-bt-1S_dyJgfDl4uU6jUyb6fqP_ze0-oMc3YfnOEMYjuQ_5vuNEK0StjEO077h3NA/s3245/c06146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="3245" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v1WiPe861D666w4kY_ZF7a_jLqd9NtM8TNw2zGrQA-A4QRWSR79s43xEx5of5XuqLJxTp72MhH-n_94TqftUdJiO9a-6IcU7zrEeUZe3PfVusZ17wjKt4fuXE-bt-1S_dyJgfDl4uU6jUyb6fqP_ze0-oMc3YfnOEMYjuQ_5vuNEK0StjEO077h3NA/w320-h198/c06146.jpg" title="Northwich Station: The Manchester Road platform, undated (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c06146)" width="320" /></a></div><br />In Ellesmere it was platelayers such as James Bagnall that inspected and maintained the lines, or in Birkenhead it was shunters such as Thomas Bayliss that took on the dangerous work of connecting and disconnecting engines. Porters such as Alfred Pryce Jones carried travellers’ luggage in Spital, and gatewoman E Alford operated the level crossing in Minsterley. There were many, many more jobs on the railways such as ticket collectors, signalmen, waiting room attendants, guards, foremen, lamp lads, breaksmen, station masters and many more besides.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILUGUFgH3R4h_-SSznzgniTWXH-Xt_y1EKX6quysl5QvowBO18XpAA3-01lHIaV9tA8F2lIU74JLAtFehN_mayIPP_poR5UrNnM-MdCPO3co1KK-WUw1NzvsD4Sh0OqdrBcAlgXiIH0UGt9HBCVKpOP7C5ktwDXvUOGBkyldQDQPfAuQ4msKtXwMnQA/s2386/NPR_2_25%20James%20Bagnall_crop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="2386" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILUGUFgH3R4h_-SSznzgniTWXH-Xt_y1EKX6quysl5QvowBO18XpAA3-01lHIaV9tA8F2lIU74JLAtFehN_mayIPP_poR5UrNnM-MdCPO3co1KK-WUw1NzvsD4Sh0OqdrBcAlgXiIH0UGt9HBCVKpOP7C5ktwDXvUOGBkyldQDQPfAuQ4msKtXwMnQA/w400-h165/NPR_2_25%20James%20Bagnall_crop.JPG" title="Entry for James Bagnall , from Cambrian Railway (latterly Great Western Railway) staff register c.1865-1905 (ref: NPR 2/25)" width="400" /></a></div><br />All these jobs created records: staff registers, wages books, record cards, accident report books and workmen compensation books. It is rare that employee records survive in business collections because they were routinely destroyed when they were no longer needed by the company. Thankfully, in our NPR railway collection many have survived that contain priceless information on the people who worked on the railways such as James Bagnall, Thomas Bayliss, Alfred Pryce Jones and E Alford. The records are in no way complete and coverage is patchy, however, if you had an ancestor who worked on the railways then read on, we may well hold some of their records.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnDsJUPdRSpkW6iDcis6DLwIIP17RrwdHC0cBXkWzJOYRRz2gNRpQWnlMdgxyKoIBwBmYgWRqJPcdsF4eaOx2CWRA2sLai0kGAb1LuMr1m-2oJg7nT4b6RDETm16SKtocCfPbpQaEFD0ERA3nGIR9zIK9VFq5layaiANTILupvBBYEr3oAvdSB-R-4w/s4761/NPR_2_6%20Thomas%20Bayliss.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3741" data-original-width="4761" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnDsJUPdRSpkW6iDcis6DLwIIP17RrwdHC0cBXkWzJOYRRz2gNRpQWnlMdgxyKoIBwBmYgWRqJPcdsF4eaOx2CWRA2sLai0kGAb1LuMr1m-2oJg7nT4b6RDETm16SKtocCfPbpQaEFD0ERA3nGIR9zIK9VFq5layaiANTILupvBBYEr3oAvdSB-R-4w/w320-h251/NPR_2_6%20Thomas%20Bayliss.JPG" title="London North Western and Great Western Joint Railway staff register (wages) "No. 6" (ref: NPR 2/6)" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIFn94oM7cgA6eVWi2Q6IwQPGdJPmLa5cFCu05lhZAEOq4pwwOTuD9NOJbJk0-WUYN96z5F7WWZtaZtUFMqRUcdeQjEk663fvtIIqaMRSzGoi9T2Qv1-sVFRmk-kHF8XGSCivWaTlskwl48Eb80JEAsTSc_wSCen8EistAScyodEM65-ffYqPqRRUZw/s4761/NPR_2_6%20Thomas%20Bayliss_crop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="4761" height="26" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIFn94oM7cgA6eVWi2Q6IwQPGdJPmLa5cFCu05lhZAEOq4pwwOTuD9NOJbJk0-WUYN96z5F7WWZtaZtUFMqRUcdeQjEk663fvtIIqaMRSzGoi9T2Qv1-sVFRmk-kHF8XGSCivWaTlskwl48Eb80JEAsTSc_wSCen8EistAScyodEM65-ffYqPqRRUZw/w320-h26/NPR_2_6%20Thomas%20Bayliss_crop.JPG" title="Entry for Shunter Thomas Bayliss, from London North Western and Great Western Joint Railway staff register (wages) "No. 6" (ref: NPR 2/6)" width="320" /></a></div><br />The history of the railways is one of company mergers and shared lines and therefore to find the records of your ancestors you need to know which railway company they worked for. They may have worked for two companies in the case of the London & North Western and Great Western Joint Railway. Each company also had many departments and job roles, so it is also useful to know the type of job your ancestor may have had. The staff registers that survive cover the following companies: London & North Western and Great Western Joint Railway, Cambrian Railways, London & North Western Railway, Great Western Railway, North Staffordshire Railway (latterly London Midland and Scottish Railway), Crewe Engineering Works and Earlestown Wagon Works.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMudMITMpnbi-AXOmcqnMVTI7Y9uI6aHRzFSAKTqjHGBX2PDjmhEF5neb8XJVi2zBLXvoDpc78I5uqnHS6_1d2LfQ3T8-WwdXia1YXUnTcJzajhDUK9S4mO8JIpWckUp1Ns-gmVT_BklnFO335_5U5jBciycaayvXSW8FndkI_J7ff02UCcP6Hzivi-w/s5506/NPR_2_1%20E%20Alford.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3575" data-original-width="5506" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMudMITMpnbi-AXOmcqnMVTI7Y9uI6aHRzFSAKTqjHGBX2PDjmhEF5neb8XJVi2zBLXvoDpc78I5uqnHS6_1d2LfQ3T8-WwdXia1YXUnTcJzajhDUK9S4mO8JIpWckUp1Ns-gmVT_BklnFO335_5U5jBciycaayvXSW8FndkI_J7ff02UCcP6Hzivi-w/w320-h208/NPR_2_1%20E%20Alford.JPG" title="London North Western and Great Western Joint Railway staff register "No. 1" (ref: NPR 2/1)" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIj0VwTmXty6X7F3tgoOY60CbCqLMUO_bHRAwzqgBZrEBtqIulSbItBVfj9SEV-HIuEAMJ7pLTzNcrLRAZb2p5Gwprclq5FuByC4cwCJL5diCjPNPvd8YPvNQhq2TZxLC7tgkecq4ebQCGOl3haoHes0qhOrnU8Gg1hCtoJxU5YfDSY0CSXWRj_KhEw/s2733/NPR_2_1%20E%20Alford_crop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="2733" height="25" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIj0VwTmXty6X7F3tgoOY60CbCqLMUO_bHRAwzqgBZrEBtqIulSbItBVfj9SEV-HIuEAMJ7pLTzNcrLRAZb2p5Gwprclq5FuByC4cwCJL5diCjPNPvd8YPvNQhq2TZxLC7tgkecq4ebQCGOl3haoHes0qhOrnU8Gg1hCtoJxU5YfDSY0CSXWRj_KhEw/w320-h25/NPR_2_1%20E%20Alford_crop.JPG" title="Entry for Gatewoman E. Aldford, from London North Western and Great Western Joint Railway staff register "No. 1" (ref: NPR 2/1)" width="320" /></a></div><br />These registers cover railway staff working over a large area including Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and nine counties in Wales. The information within them provides a summary of each railway employee’s career, the actual details varying slightly between one register and another. The registers were compiled from the late 1860s up to c1920 although many staff were in service earlier, some from the earliest years of the railway line itself (1840s).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In the case of the Cambrian and Great Western registers further details are provided of those staff who remained in service after 1920, usually restricted to wage or salary statements, and some of these extend into the 1950s era in British Rail days. Of the several railway departments the registers held here include employees in the coaching and traffic departments, those dealing with operations such as Porters, Signalmen and guards, and also salaried staff which include management and clerical workers such as Superintendents, Station Masters, booking and other Clerks. Among the other grades represented are Agents, Ticket Examiners, Left Luggage Office Staff, Van Drivers, Slip Boys (Horse Boys) and Weighing Machinemen. Seaman working on the River Mersey at Birkenhead - masters, mates and firemen - are featured, as well as waiting room attendants, gatekeepers and cleaners.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4-sU4moSIs9rjFjAwc5SPYzzxKF6fljciT8ocva5mu6lJu7jmQbX-M1bGfyBNMie4SZQLnXb5GbXwJXFSyr9u52ogMF060P4BW77tI-5ThOp3HYaE1_KkR5w740ZUC3Lb2JXfcp7pFqIBeEcPPUYCknI4aF2sO8dkUfOwmBBdfINkjFo6e-BqlnRLA/s4807/NPR_2_6%20Alfred%20Pryce%20Jones.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3761" data-original-width="4807" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4-sU4moSIs9rjFjAwc5SPYzzxKF6fljciT8ocva5mu6lJu7jmQbX-M1bGfyBNMie4SZQLnXb5GbXwJXFSyr9u52ogMF060P4BW77tI-5ThOp3HYaE1_KkR5w740ZUC3Lb2JXfcp7pFqIBeEcPPUYCknI4aF2sO8dkUfOwmBBdfINkjFo6e-BqlnRLA/w320-h250/NPR_2_6%20Alfred%20Pryce%20Jones.JPG" title="London North Western and Great Western Joint Railway staff register (wages) "No. 6" (ref: NPR 2/6)" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9s1A17LrbU-Gh60u1Lw9hVunM_Fsjzx4lyXccE2ZziD1DGQ7ysEbBicB0gM2WuFYMLuELM4qxbKtkxVqpDwwtzKeSmZoPCZ4GiwSjHdUo8mnw4w8GjlDRrw_MBdwCKJ_3nvJcjARFaVGojW5Ah3YJkpRoJNrkcRaZknRQ5YcLg6wTnEu6AZ3-KsCRg/s4807/NPR_2_6%20Alfred%20Pryce%20Jones_crop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="4807" height="18" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9s1A17LrbU-Gh60u1Lw9hVunM_Fsjzx4lyXccE2ZziD1DGQ7ysEbBicB0gM2WuFYMLuELM4qxbKtkxVqpDwwtzKeSmZoPCZ4GiwSjHdUo8mnw4w8GjlDRrw_MBdwCKJ_3nvJcjARFaVGojW5Ah3YJkpRoJNrkcRaZknRQ5YcLg6wTnEu6AZ3-KsCRg/w320-h18/NPR_2_6%20Alfred%20Pryce%20Jones_crop.JPG" title="Entry for Porter Alfred Pryce Jones, from London North Western and Great Western Joint Railway staff register (wages) "No. 6" (ref: NPR 2/6)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Two databases have been compiled as an index to these records. One covers the <a href="https://www.cheshirearchives.org.uk/what-we-hold/databases-search.aspx" target="_blank">railway staff registers 1869-1950</a> and one covers the <a href="http://databases.cheshirearchives.org.uk/archivesandlocalstudies/Search.aspx?archiveid=1" target="_blank">Crewe Railway Works c1890-1928.</a> Other records not covered by the index can be searched on our <a href="http://catalogue.cheshirearchives.org.uk/calmview/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=NPR&pos=1" target="_blank">online catalogue.</a> Have a search and see what you can find - we may have a record of your ancestor that adds that crucial detail to your family history!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7YrHowwpkJb9KN4G43ar4mvN0nL0Wa_hSbKT8NttzpGRkPvFYTDhsJHD8hgIQDt7yT18ggUGlsFGvjJ84BpbJ2quU8j-4raFkI0X7Ian1kvsoNEM0QU30hcENrODnB1-9Wa-YmnX1izba1ozLuusTcpbLZtTpuJgH7nKr6SUt1cf3JWdqhCTgm5erA/s3877/FDX0048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2442" data-original-width="3877" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7YrHowwpkJb9KN4G43ar4mvN0nL0Wa_hSbKT8NttzpGRkPvFYTDhsJHD8hgIQDt7yT18ggUGlsFGvjJ84BpbJ2quU8j-4raFkI0X7Ian1kvsoNEM0QU30hcENrODnB1-9Wa-YmnX1izba1ozLuusTcpbLZtTpuJgH7nKr6SUt1cf3JWdqhCTgm5erA/w320-h202/FDX0048.jpg" title="Frodsham Railway Station: passengers boarding eastbound train, 1900s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: FDX0048)" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Look out for <i>Third Stop - Railway Plans </i>- coming soon!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>All these records and more can be viewed at Cheshire Record Office in Chester.</i></span></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-4546678187868708002022-10-12T10:05:00.000+01:002022-10-12T10:05:17.587+01:00Cheshire Railways: First Stop - The History <span style="font-family: arial;">On 22nd August 1890, Richard Jones started work as a Wheelwright at Crewe Engineering Works. His name, date of birth and first day of employment were recorded in one of the works' large registers along with the names of thousands of others who were employed at the works over the years. Over 130 years later that register and piece of history still survives, along with many more railway records available to be viewed at the Record Office in Chester. Over the last couple of years, staff and volunteers have been working hard to catalogue this huge collection to make it fully accessible so the story of Richard Jones and many others like him can be discovered. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQNhVRoBA2Iis7MpV9apVpQ4srfHlVa9p2yD87Na4qBxD_kDzy8apEgDjHmZ3YFXI0Ds5_mnTbCuWqcNZMIhgh4MpFiEOJRi43ue9n4HEdvbJe3JmJcPvafY_-9a0CuHZ8qYp8VuZpr0H9uVZDwdM635Ck5KviWoRXqSgUxQkE6pNgWH6HRfasFEEsA/s4762/NPR_7101_5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3208" data-original-width="4762" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQNhVRoBA2Iis7MpV9apVpQ4srfHlVa9p2yD87Na4qBxD_kDzy8apEgDjHmZ3YFXI0Ds5_mnTbCuWqcNZMIhgh4MpFiEOJRi43ue9n4HEdvbJe3JmJcPvafY_-9a0CuHZ8qYp8VuZpr0H9uVZDwdM635Ck5KviWoRXqSgUxQkE6pNgWH6HRfasFEEsA/w320-h216/NPR_7101_5.JPG" title="National Corporation: Railways, staff register (ref: 7101/5)" width="320" /></a></div><br />The history of the railway in Cheshire starts in the first half of the nineteenth century when Chester attracted the interest of various railway companies. The Chester and Birkenhead and Chester and Crewe Railways were the first to open their respective routes in 1840. This was followed by the construction of the Chester and Holyhead Railways which fully opened in 1850. Many more companies and lines followed. By the time Richard Jones started work several of these companies had merged and many became part of London and North Western Railway. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8jolR82pdH61U3qivD_ZYqdEArZ5SOqoagWMCAxt2qnuLGqU49pz_WiOwgbuQ3mAXYWkjn7Zr_uNMBWl8IfSky8qlbvxRBnFxlnsfsSjKjVF-VOOZE-9zXUI9WBts1V_eM7TWatRq5-yXBCpxZg3iezhFjhn2U97I_ShmNGIhqCsV7a6siFHIYNkDw/s1504/p3957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1504" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8jolR82pdH61U3qivD_ZYqdEArZ5SOqoagWMCAxt2qnuLGqU49pz_WiOwgbuQ3mAXYWkjn7Zr_uNMBWl8IfSky8qlbvxRBnFxlnsfsSjKjVF-VOOZE-9zXUI9WBts1V_eM7TWatRq5-yXBCpxZg3iezhFjhn2U97I_ShmNGIhqCsV7a6siFHIYNkDw/w320-h231/p3957.jpg" title="Chester Railway Station c.1850 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: p3957)" width="320" /></a></div><br />In 1923, under the Railways Act 1921, the majority of railway companies were grouped into four main companies. It was the London Midland and Scottish Railway and the Great Western Railway who between them covered the Cheshire area. In 1948, with the nationalisation of the railways, these companies became part of British Railways under the London Midland Region and Western Region.</span><div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />In 1986 it was decided by British Railways that the important archive records that told the story of history of railway in Britain would be put into the care of County Record Offices. Determining which Record Offices to house them in wasn’t a simple decision. Railways don’t stop at county boundaries. It was decided that they would be deposited in areas appropriate to the British Rail Regions and of the big four companies that came into being following the grouping of 1923. It was also decided that records of companies absorbed before 1921 would be offered to the County Record Office receiving the records of the absorbing company.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx7vq2ShoBmxUnUzYL3VriAfOFWZ_1eNT7P4pOEC1n46jFORTOAUnBOnQdGkhsvrAMCIFBH4LOMpF16DERL2W8gRZY5NgpAFAo5CwheUBVSXVFZBGXrzAq4H19P7g2gyjjKVUbU5lJTqxTGUOAzlVIuocOX-f0hhev8f-YOUUVyGP37zb6GYktjfqHw/s3275/c06160.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="3275" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx7vq2ShoBmxUnUzYL3VriAfOFWZ_1eNT7P4pOEC1n46jFORTOAUnBOnQdGkhsvrAMCIFBH4LOMpF16DERL2W8gRZY5NgpAFAo5CwheUBVSXVFZBGXrzAq4H19P7g2gyjjKVUbU5lJTqxTGUOAzlVIuocOX-f0hhev8f-YOUUVyGP37zb6GYktjfqHw/w320-h197/c06160.jpg" title="Hooton Railway Station, date unknown (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c06160)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Cheshire Record Office received records of the following companies: London and North Western Railway Company, Great Central and North Western Railways Joint Committee, London Midland and Scottish Railway Company - Central Administration, Western Division (North), Western Division (South), London Midland and Scottish and Great Western Railways Joint Committee. It therefore follows that the area covered by these records often exceeds the boundaries of the County of Cheshire. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonuIEmoNF_c_w5UjXkMoltKcEkALj51u8QxW5-lNyJWJF-xwUZ8d9MGrBBknRp4JKd5S-j4nby3TaO-shDjj0WAfuEo3wkh5dqS9Cy3lbqfywPCehwB4-k-WqEQULiINs10hFwXMPN4XS-RdOg0H0t6GR3yNk1Rr3m1dW3dBpMC72ssbDyr2D0u4JEw/s2190/c13597.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2190" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonuIEmoNF_c_w5UjXkMoltKcEkALj51u8QxW5-lNyJWJF-xwUZ8d9MGrBBknRp4JKd5S-j4nby3TaO-shDjj0WAfuEo3wkh5dqS9Cy3lbqfywPCehwB4-k-WqEQULiINs10hFwXMPN4XS-RdOg0H0t6GR3yNk1Rr3m1dW3dBpMC72ssbDyr2D0u4JEw/w320-h209/c13597.jpg" title="Crewe: Steam engine with crew, 1880s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c13597)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Over the course of future blogs we will explore two of the main series of records in the collection; employee records and railway plans. These have great research potential for local and family historians in Cheshire and beyond.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Look our for the Second Stop of this blog - Employee Records - coming soon!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">These records and more are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester.</span></div></div></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-13860388919447863202022-09-29T09:09:00.000+01:002022-09-29T09:09:06.615+01:00Joel's Record Office Resumé<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>This blog was written by one of our work experience students, Joel, who spent a week with us over the summer. Thank you for your work Joel! </i></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Being at the Record Office for four days, I learnt a lot of different things, from research skills to conservation, as well as what goes on behind the scenes. The tour of the building right at the start of my time there really gave a good insight into the various jobs that happen in the archives, as well as allowing me to enter one of the strong rooms where all the records are kept. I also attended two Microsoft Teams meetings in which the new archive buildings were discussed and upcoming events were planned out. In total I worked on three big projects for the archives.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The first main project I worked on was looking at a scrapbook made by the various mayors of Chester between 1936 to 1979. Continuing where Archie left off, [<i>Archie's Archives Experience</i> blog can be found <a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/07/archies-archives-experience.html" target="_blank">here</a>] I looked at the entries made between 1947 to 1957. One of the most interesting things I found was that there was a great difference in the entries, including a letter relating to the death of King George VI, menus and table plans for luncheon at the Grosvenor Hotel, Christmas Cards, an invite to a Turner exhibition in the Town Hall, a programme for the presentation of new colours to the Cheshire Regiment and (perhaps most strangely) an invite to the 51st Annual Conference of the Llay Angling Society on Northgate Street. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaZjjnzAOgxpk-_5ZJLnuN2BxBExx6Yae05-TgWAV9C3rD3cynOJlfeQazOMBc7OqeXFwHMejrZ97lU2Nd5cOh5oSfr-3DGJY7cyCMmbSqNhhL5MqMw_b43uY_PwFz1QbovhrB5YjVeyOA-Wh_kEvXTONv9qIjYLFiaDVW0t82xT5K4e8GMI5VI2VBg/s963/Image%2001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="722" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaZjjnzAOgxpk-_5ZJLnuN2BxBExx6Yae05-TgWAV9C3rD3cynOJlfeQazOMBc7OqeXFwHMejrZ97lU2Nd5cOh5oSfr-3DGJY7cyCMmbSqNhhL5MqMw_b43uY_PwFz1QbovhrB5YjVeyOA-Wh_kEvXTONv9qIjYLFiaDVW0t82xT5K4e8GMI5VI2VBg/w150-h200/Image%2001.jpg" title="Scrapbook of invitations and programmes (ref: ZMC/2)" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5i1cVG4oPD-ccGvdvpRpuknxUgTnpzgpaNUTPQQWlTuYnWVnIqcjUWwVFisF_DFXiGdo5WIlCq7_wyq0S3jtHZ9lHi00aA79fnqnO7nno7v0oAnmI8bat8k8rzLhbZ3IdHtEubMoTO9c38aUn05DdXZWrsL8Csxur45Lo05o4zy_AK08Ej7urjkqGQ/s909/Image%2004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="682" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5i1cVG4oPD-ccGvdvpRpuknxUgTnpzgpaNUTPQQWlTuYnWVnIqcjUWwVFisF_DFXiGdo5WIlCq7_wyq0S3jtHZ9lHi00aA79fnqnO7nno7v0oAnmI8bat8k8rzLhbZ3IdHtEubMoTO9c38aUn05DdXZWrsL8Csxur45Lo05o4zy_AK08Ej7urjkqGQ/w150-h200/Image%2004.jpg" title="Scrapbook of invitations and programmes (ref: ZMC/2)" width="150" /></a> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71yvfzWPxD7FC9i0-kv61Xdg6YN4XlDYw8BoVxz_JXtR2u1fldJ5h5yUPbpDd8JzndHHuvDLlTcS5tR4hx1D7gaUF4ibQ6lXlH0FQT7GbeuLicipPg2pJxQ8wXtXbRV0KgnmybSEM8t5JpymXtoEVO7tzw2mTeFuMJiBD30SV9Ds-H8IJIYOT_t6ODA/s744/Image%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="558" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71yvfzWPxD7FC9i0-kv61Xdg6YN4XlDYw8BoVxz_JXtR2u1fldJ5h5yUPbpDd8JzndHHuvDLlTcS5tR4hx1D7gaUF4ibQ6lXlH0FQT7GbeuLicipPg2pJxQ8wXtXbRV0KgnmybSEM8t5JpymXtoEVO7tzw2mTeFuMJiBD30SV9Ds-H8IJIYOT_t6ODA/w150-h200/Image%2003.jpg" title="Scrapbook of invitations and programmes (ref: ZMC/2)" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4HWjcVq5PqZ0O3qe-lX59egtiCNSNcHn8jLdVvjn7Cqt-BWGkjYkbOFwkx9lNa7UfV2DpW1ldqHLsz14VXTNA322GNvZw17hib5oyWu7mI31-k-XlUEHun6C4K1qeKnITKisnmG_R1jwNgKMLSa_OW0vA_LDS9bf1zDCGMOxDO71kO2mE4vbiGLOFw/s293/Image%2005.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="293" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4HWjcVq5PqZ0O3qe-lX59egtiCNSNcHn8jLdVvjn7Cqt-BWGkjYkbOFwkx9lNa7UfV2DpW1ldqHLsz14VXTNA322GNvZw17hib5oyWu7mI31-k-XlUEHun6C4K1qeKnITKisnmG_R1jwNgKMLSa_OW0vA_LDS9bf1zDCGMOxDO71kO2mE4vbiGLOFw/w200-h155/Image%2005.png" title="Scrapbook of invitations and programmes (ref: ZMC/2)" width="200" /></a></div><br />The randomness of these events is fascinating to me, and they give a really good indication of the duties undertaken by the mayor of Chester. The work on the scrapbook also gave me the opportunity to have a go at the conservation process and learn how the Record Office preserve their archived materials.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As well as the scrapbook, I was also given the chance to work with the Local Studies team. My work for them involved looking at photographs of Chester and seeing whether or not they were on the online image bank. For those that were not, I was given the task of creating online descriptions and catalogues for them. Some of these included photos of The Church of St. John the Baptist in Guilden Sutton, The Suspension Bridge by the Groves from the 1920’s, The Blue Bell on Northgate Street, King Charles Tower and Children in Fancy Dress from the 1910’s. Seeing how the city has changed over time (and how things have stayed the same) was really interesting to me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6NDoCUSk4J0dff-6ZPSt0Y4rE9bAcvcw-PcjO7Fn8b-mMM_EX2XabPHSK0BMRWrqmzTWN09ZuswWyI6wjG9aOX8IxkVq1I-h1l7QTMpFEvmveRx6Tojw1hYmAYUFjW43xPY3_sl7Wa00sbfE2pTazx9Dbflu8Ik8vkqLzsrCcQ8I_k1rPWL7c8WwTQ/s417/Image%2007.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="417" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6NDoCUSk4J0dff-6ZPSt0Y4rE9bAcvcw-PcjO7Fn8b-mMM_EX2XabPHSK0BMRWrqmzTWN09ZuswWyI6wjG9aOX8IxkVq1I-h1l7QTMpFEvmveRx6Tojw1hYmAYUFjW43xPY3_sl7Wa00sbfE2pTazx9Dbflu8Ik8vkqLzsrCcQ8I_k1rPWL7c8WwTQ/w201-h128/Image%2007.png" title="Church of St John the Baptist, Guilden Sutton (within Local Studies collection CHE_1280 to CHE_1291)" width="201" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpo1zNouDcl2F6-iBau2_srfBg91IHAvwMY5WwmFmRKvvENoLhHSw6rjwYi5VJKB_tGF7PId2OaWYm6YUEQmjrl36Nt-B3WVN2imweyyscGXzQS7AytCZqADueUUjpuypZnxux4n9oeIm9BapFJrF2r0NFtGWwTcOyA0U3csiJeESKmCGNSHlNpVFyQ/s529/Image%2011.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="529" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpo1zNouDcl2F6-iBau2_srfBg91IHAvwMY5WwmFmRKvvENoLhHSw6rjwYi5VJKB_tGF7PId2OaWYm6YUEQmjrl36Nt-B3WVN2imweyyscGXzQS7AytCZqADueUUjpuypZnxux4n9oeIm9BapFJrF2r0NFtGWwTcOyA0U3csiJeESKmCGNSHlNpVFyQ/w183-h128/Image%2011.png" title="Children in Fancy Dress, 1910s (within Local Studies collection CHE_1280 to CHE_1291)" width="183" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRPghZbFxhb1cw0WxARnISNJEkbfaSwNYlePpCs4OtVuBHlPbQWJ07WIZ1c3y1QI4TRoK26OetPuptoZmCJywUe7q6Ewo_IZeForjwKj31pSseiDs8FC5bS_5pMAF_C3XlGgVznyUjqZ3eONSPd3BP_58orXOnbGkGNl6tHnv-muEKg3n_XxrXSe8CQ/s541/Image%2009.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="327" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRPghZbFxhb1cw0WxARnISNJEkbfaSwNYlePpCs4OtVuBHlPbQWJ07WIZ1c3y1QI4TRoK26OetPuptoZmCJywUe7q6Ewo_IZeForjwKj31pSseiDs8FC5bS_5pMAF_C3XlGgVznyUjqZ3eONSPd3BP_58orXOnbGkGNl6tHnv-muEKg3n_XxrXSe8CQ/w125-h208/Image%2009.png" title="King Charles' Tower, Chester City Walls (within Local Studies collection CHE_1280 to CHE_1291)" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjwqMyGs5Ol0lWMWOrCgmPfEGf1guQ8DUDrj_Tpa212nAT5PjrvI4BaBK4jcWwVmH6Dj3rB3AuoQDVLV_2y8NrybB6WXpc_qHiWuCIvPiSBJuSoBayymTaPSR8R5mEmZLenIxVcgD_ETOf2zZfB_m2I3NSJTyLRAhIPYG1FFhlQ2mJT2L17pC2x5SvA/s602/Image%2010.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="602" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjwqMyGs5Ol0lWMWOrCgmPfEGf1guQ8DUDrj_Tpa212nAT5PjrvI4BaBK4jcWwVmH6Dj3rB3AuoQDVLV_2y8NrybB6WXpc_qHiWuCIvPiSBJuSoBayymTaPSR8R5mEmZLenIxVcgD_ETOf2zZfB_m2I3NSJTyLRAhIPYG1FFhlQ2mJT2L17pC2x5SvA/w200-h145/Image%2010.png" title="The Blue Bell public house, Chester (within Local Studies collection CHE_1280 to CHE_1291)" width="200" /></a></div><br />The third and final of my projects was related to the Parkside Asylum, which was located in Macclesfield. The first part of it involved using Zooniverse, which gives you a case note to answer questions on. Though it was tricky to begin with (due to handwriting being difficult to read) I soon got the hang of it. After finishing the Zooniverse tasks, I began to look at Parkside case notes on the online catalogue in order to log the diagnosis of individuals (death, transfer, recovery etc) and to see if the case notes came with a photograph of the individual. Seeing photographs of real patients brought a greater connection between me and the work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the highlights of the four days was the people working and volunteering at the records office, all of whom were passionate about what they do. They were also extremely helpful and happy to answer any questions I had or to talk to me about what they were all doing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In the future, I wish to be a historical researcher for television, films, and video games, and I believe the skills that I have acquired at the Record Office will help me with this aim.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The documents and photographs Joel worked with are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-76899064785531298842022-09-08T09:08:00.001+01:002022-09-08T09:14:27.929+01:00Cycling round Cheshire in the 1920s<span style="font-family: arial;">Join the gang! We’re sharing one man’s love for eco-friendly transport in the 20s…the 1920s that is! We were recently donated a collection of 48 black and white photographs taken by a man called Robert (Bob) Leitch, as he cycled round the county of Cheshire with Rover Scouts. His companions included William (Bill) Lloyd and Harold Litherland, and now you! <br /><br />We’re highlighting images from this collection, allowing you to view Cheshire through the eyes of these cycling chums one hundred years ago, including views of Lyme Park, Chester Cathedral, Chester Rows, Great Budworth, Mobberley, Siddington, Astbury, and Gawsworth, as well as panoramic views out across the Cheshire Plain.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_8WEo7x3WHlts92UFHJXMqYQxXjYdyaE9egDKbgSWopm96lITrvRumnF2VI9DH16pNZq37tpJdIKqRs6OiuVuGtnljgx3Mkv7YXKsIWgPOOJmnK2HtzFAF-7U9vN3I_I29nQRGYdpLxl64LC8ThqjM6mF42-LgL8Xf2RXpZ4kwn_m43ncuogZcLGZw/s2230/VPH64_007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1642" data-original-width="2230" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_8WEo7x3WHlts92UFHJXMqYQxXjYdyaE9egDKbgSWopm96lITrvRumnF2VI9DH16pNZq37tpJdIKqRs6OiuVuGtnljgx3Mkv7YXKsIWgPOOJmnK2HtzFAF-7U9vN3I_I29nQRGYdpLxl64LC8ThqjM6mF42-LgL8Xf2RXpZ4kwn_m43ncuogZcLGZw/w320-h236/VPH64_007.jpg" title="The Rover Scouts in Great Budworth, Church Street, ref: VPH64_007 (Cheshire Image Bank c14192)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Rover Scouting is the final stage in the Scouts’ Association, after Beavering, Wolf Cubbing, Scouting and Senior Scouting. Bob’s Rover Scouts can be seen here in Church Street, Great Budworth. The village pump can be seen on the right, the only source of drinking water for the whole community until 1934, when a piped supply was first connected. Can you spot the little dog edging in for a photobomb? <br /><br />We’re not sure in what order Bob and his pals visited the Cheshire locations depicted in the collection, so we’ll start our tour with Chester and work our way further afield.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLu08RlNFCyAS6cUZyLGEHX_OSHg-Q8kim06fOgGZI1QFvMLYlblCtR2QErk-V-lq4y_UfqcVtG4x33qIsRPcuckcZjYsOp596q6Wcmxq140NSLe-u5mMRXDC_2N5DZepBOHOAXnOXMgoJsmH5XSijZJB_OPgdCCtHD1xfj2_DhxqkPuXDadr_hUJBw/s2232/VPH64_004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="1630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLu08RlNFCyAS6cUZyLGEHX_OSHg-Q8kim06fOgGZI1QFvMLYlblCtR2QErk-V-lq4y_UfqcVtG4x33qIsRPcuckcZjYsOp596q6Wcmxq140NSLe-u5mMRXDC_2N5DZepBOHOAXnOXMgoJsmH5XSijZJB_OPgdCCtHD1xfj2_DhxqkPuXDadr_hUJBw/w234-h320/VPH64_004.jpg" title="Chester Cathedral, ref: VPH64_004 (Cheshire Image Bank c14189)" width="234" /></a></div><br />Here Bob has photographed Chester Cathedral west entrance from the top of St Werburgh Street where it joins Northgate Street. Pedestrians can be seen walking past the cathedral. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9W5PF0hNWAi-anMaMFHuYOzQVy2wo1EFFuALIo6so8oSoLZMIZNs9tSVhdxv1ffsuFAxtYgCgK1i8tzZPvGMZ5ZMLt3ELESouwNWcdfi-w4m_5j1KzXo0bRFTVVf7SpEGXJh5Us_bizwHLIOXiEMn2X3Vdwm4PK0wJYODJvotMjLKeLHHrPZLzsrzg/s2292/VPH64_010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1683" data-original-width="2292" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9W5PF0hNWAi-anMaMFHuYOzQVy2wo1EFFuALIo6so8oSoLZMIZNs9tSVhdxv1ffsuFAxtYgCgK1i8tzZPvGMZ5ZMLt3ELESouwNWcdfi-w4m_5j1KzXo0bRFTVVf7SpEGXJh5Us_bizwHLIOXiEMn2X3Vdwm4PK0wJYODJvotMjLKeLHHrPZLzsrzg/w320-h235/VPH64_010.jpg" title="The Rows, Chester - possibly Bridge Street? (ref: VPH64_010)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Two of the Rover Scouts survey the streets of Chester below them from the Rows. With the Rows and Chester Cathedral, Bob and his pals were visiting the same Chester tourist destinations in the 1920s that you can visit today in the 2020s. As well as the cathedral, Bob photographed several other religious buildings in Cheshire, some we have been able to identify, and others elude our Local Studies Librarian for the moment! Keep an eye on our twitter page (@CheshireRO) and our #MysteryImageMonday feature to see if you can help us identify any of these mystery locations. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IFVv5NM-5ZglgZN37X8kr2Mcl0opMexcjQC0PcPXwEt_w-Sy1uOVB9IDUGpzbZ2X3vMBhC8r5UrChGJEjYwFwanyhJZmghwhy4qcNsz5hBsthCoJfodkK-QIlaSphhGCoj7DTb0K8hE2vhLo1JucDYGzWctjZtB6Oew4ItUAYEckx450dpdV3UZiOw/s2242/VPH64_003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2242" data-original-width="1640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IFVv5NM-5ZglgZN37X8kr2Mcl0opMexcjQC0PcPXwEt_w-Sy1uOVB9IDUGpzbZ2X3vMBhC8r5UrChGJEjYwFwanyhJZmghwhy4qcNsz5hBsthCoJfodkK-QIlaSphhGCoj7DTb0K8hE2vhLo1JucDYGzWctjZtB6Oew4ItUAYEckx450dpdV3UZiOw/w146-h200/VPH64_003.jpg" title="St Mary and All Saints Church, Great Budworth, ref: VPH64_003 (Cheshire Image Bank c14188)" width="146" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhvoY-xBrbAx9NbP8zZTysWi4_G378f7swWAS11WuiHWQTgZnIYppZaU8zR0ta3A8DZ2QLoMnqIagbDLTe9DMLy1FpDjaEW_yMSrXZSApvc9y3Mxb3WJDxKuyI8P_9BPasjzebyAxGC_zY8O3bCcrLwrFHpdvM9Swvn_h-2LkXFWGmEPrC6hQOaPTOA/s2240/VPH64_005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1642" data-original-width="2240" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhvoY-xBrbAx9NbP8zZTysWi4_G378f7swWAS11WuiHWQTgZnIYppZaU8zR0ta3A8DZ2QLoMnqIagbDLTe9DMLy1FpDjaEW_yMSrXZSApvc9y3Mxb3WJDxKuyI8P_9BPasjzebyAxGC_zY8O3bCcrLwrFHpdvM9Swvn_h-2LkXFWGmEPrC6hQOaPTOA/w200-h147/VPH64_005.jpg" title="All Saints Church, Siddington, ref: VPH64_005 (Cheshire Image Bank c14190)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVbBN50UCBbEIIw79HytA5tNpAXxnO-vLsDW81WPUjXC7z1TDOs5e2M3JolFcQlv1zDuu_T0KAcVcaz_MAPGDtuzaXxwPIv9jSu_laWiyaBPIfJPm-KLOS-nzJl6iJe2pVzJRT3sp_FhaJW9OOe2rPDG1Yc0eJvUdYrPK25chSYABsWe37Kf0evKSVg/s2270/VPH64_006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1642" data-original-width="2270" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVbBN50UCBbEIIw79HytA5tNpAXxnO-vLsDW81WPUjXC7z1TDOs5e2M3JolFcQlv1zDuu_T0KAcVcaz_MAPGDtuzaXxwPIv9jSu_laWiyaBPIfJPm-KLOS-nzJl6iJe2pVzJRT3sp_FhaJW9OOe2rPDG1Yc0eJvUdYrPK25chSYABsWe37Kf0evKSVg/w320-h230/VPH64_006.jpg" title="St Mary’s Church, Astbury, ref: VPH64_006 (Cheshire Image Bank c14191)" width="320" /></a></div><br />All Saints Church, Siddington, is a Grade II* Listed Building, built on a site first consecrated in 1521. Originally all timber-framed, much of the building was replaced by brick in the 18th century. St Mary's Parish Church in Astbury is even older, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. The spire which you can see here was struck by lightning and rebuilt in 1838. <br /><br />As you can see, we have identified several images of Great Budworth, this seems a popular location with the Rover Scouts, so perhaps this is where they began or ended their cycling tour? Other destinations include Mobberley, and as far as Disley to visit Lyme Park, as well as pit-stops to admire the Cheshire Plain. <br /><br />Lyme Park passed to the Leghs of Lyme by marriage in 1388 and stayed in the Legh family until it was given to the National Trust in 1946. The house dates from the latter part of the 16th century, with modifications made in the 1720s by Italian architect Giacomo Leoni and by British architect Lewis Wyatt in the 19th century.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7VFZr2aIdgoIJFVVoqco1UcbiQ_NuCIF94OwmQ4UjudlJDIsHBTKL9x5NEwt24fiFMNDrWanFuTeC124rZACS9rImuaIgalOVLBsPj720csJgqRKp_5v1rCyNXRmbVdajYB0OQUQJiG-lpH4EQS7LTyfS7EkyLDi0m3N46dh1-uiRcyHPe3w14KKZA/s2272/VPH64_001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2272" data-original-width="1640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7VFZr2aIdgoIJFVVoqco1UcbiQ_NuCIF94OwmQ4UjudlJDIsHBTKL9x5NEwt24fiFMNDrWanFuTeC124rZACS9rImuaIgalOVLBsPj720csJgqRKp_5v1rCyNXRmbVdajYB0OQUQJiG-lpH4EQS7LTyfS7EkyLDi0m3N46dh1-uiRcyHPe3w14KKZA/w144-h200/VPH64_001.jpg" title="Lyme Park, ref: VPH64_001 (Cheshire Image Bank c14186)" width="144" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhlaQ3BhvFK9FcxOiHYtDl3pFjPM7R-lTv0xeICeC1Uz2xnxi2LhOBux-i2fkrVrtyFFMxzSpMsvkgk1sT8NcHI8aVIQvcVwPg7OcUXc7JC__bfZZobwXskQAYI3Pu7MNhB-g8dC5SotakvhpGDA-8XXh1MGSqcvXeplSxv6Uk_NNcnwNevNIrOH_bw/s2242/VPH64_002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2242" data-original-width="1640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhlaQ3BhvFK9FcxOiHYtDl3pFjPM7R-lTv0xeICeC1Uz2xnxi2LhOBux-i2fkrVrtyFFMxzSpMsvkgk1sT8NcHI8aVIQvcVwPg7OcUXc7JC__bfZZobwXskQAYI3Pu7MNhB-g8dC5SotakvhpGDA-8XXh1MGSqcvXeplSxv6Uk_NNcnwNevNIrOH_bw/w146-h200/VPH64_002.jpg" title="Mobberley, The Old Smithy Garage on Mill Lane, ref: VPH64_002 (Cheshire Image Bank c14187)" width="146" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbh2ITyJJLSsGeAxMeSfIpoOz44cst_Zxict5ne1CurG41Soeb9nbGi8U8vLxwUt6oTSUKNtgRmqr8lzD7tyHbSPzdJefTXTI5GOJREmxQv6O9OvcGTPmo2DkM7xGf47z0vNzEzsWvkxikEbojsXrCBK-yetdALohHxNRP2qoRp0J2Mg6_pO4d2k0NBA/s2286/VPH64_009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="2286" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbh2ITyJJLSsGeAxMeSfIpoOz44cst_Zxict5ne1CurG41Soeb9nbGi8U8vLxwUt6oTSUKNtgRmqr8lzD7tyHbSPzdJefTXTI5GOJREmxQv6O9OvcGTPmo2DkM7xGf47z0vNzEzsWvkxikEbojsXrCBK-yetdALohHxNRP2qoRp0J2Mg6_pO4d2k0NBA/w320-h234/VPH64_009.jpg" title="The Rover Scouts survey Cheshire (ref: VPH64_009)" width="320" /></a></div><br />We end our tour round Cheshire with a photograph of the group at an unknown location. They pause for a break from cycling on a grassy bank covered in crocus flowers, which tells us they were enjoying their cycling tour in spring.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB32W5Dfqc_n31yKsRLr7Hb9UbxgJHyinvXKs7cGWAhGZnvyadL-LjS4OX3a70ecoigF4XuNEhVZgxAcGSpJI-M1wg5eUm-LiMnBZDJCH91fViLB4uuX4ul2kXRJ-rbxv_zoQzK10iz9CugNuJT_eGqmqKxgZcHpp73cG1D46Oj7chnRbv8PEXW3oCag/s2290/VPH64_008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1655" data-original-width="2290" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB32W5Dfqc_n31yKsRLr7Hb9UbxgJHyinvXKs7cGWAhGZnvyadL-LjS4OX3a70ecoigF4XuNEhVZgxAcGSpJI-M1wg5eUm-LiMnBZDJCH91fViLB4uuX4ul2kXRJ-rbxv_zoQzK10iz9CugNuJT_eGqmqKxgZcHpp73cG1D46Oj7chnRbv8PEXW3oCag/w320-h231/VPH64_008.jpg" title="Rover Scouts taking a break (ref: VPH64_008)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Some of these images have been added to our <a href="http://www.cheshireimagebank.org.uk" target="_blank">Cheshire Image Bank</a>, and we hope to add more soon as we continue to digitise and research the collection. We hope you have enjoyed this little tour - why not let us know your favourite places to cycle in Cheshire, or perhaps you’ve cycled round the same haunts as Bob and his buddies?</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Lastly, if this blog has piqued your interest into what Cheshire was like in the 1920s, we have just curated a new Popular Collection on the Cheshire Image Bank called <a href="https://www.cheshireimagebank.org.uk/frontend.php?action=search&keywords=Popular_Collections;EQUALS;Cheshire_in_the_1920s">Cheshire in the 1920s</a> which you might like to explore.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: arial;">All of these images and more are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester.</span></i></div><div><br /></div></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-61772698635446677192022-08-30T13:18:00.005+01:002022-09-02T10:51:33.310+01:00The Bawdy Court at Chester<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL91DmVAFFe_gGFErClSaRT1AGdeZR2vdqtjPqOwKGXYUR55YuK8IWfOK-sqnDlWrS-YTTvVUMsiYz7fumJQ7vNi23zdZLv4T2cDMNLVhn_NHCMOaHbCqnb8Y04HOFbuM7kjskJ_jPZzTwlRnFwxlvQ--_3Nw7DTmCBiZub60gwpGHxApyf7p5qvoRSQ/s2592/cathedral%20consistory%20court.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL91DmVAFFe_gGFErClSaRT1AGdeZR2vdqtjPqOwKGXYUR55YuK8IWfOK-sqnDlWrS-YTTvVUMsiYz7fumJQ7vNi23zdZLv4T2cDMNLVhn_NHCMOaHbCqnb8Y04HOFbuM7kjskJ_jPZzTwlRnFwxlvQ--_3Nw7DTmCBiZub60gwpGHxApyf7p5qvoRSQ/s320/cathedral%20consistory%20court.jpg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk112747996"><i>We are fortunate in the range and
volume of records of the Diocese of Chester church court which we hold, dating
back to the early sixteenth century. Meanwhile Chester Cathedral has the only
complete surviving consistory court room in England so we can picture how and where cases were heard. One of our researchers,
Pat Cox, has begun to publish images and transcriptions on a new website so
with new easy access to the court documents, the stories really come to life. Thanks to Pat for this introduction to the records that fascinate her and her remarkable project.</i></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This type of court was formally known as the consistory court
but was popularly known as the ‘bawdy court’ because of the scandalous
goings-on revealed by some of the men and women who appeared there. The
influence of the church touched almost every aspect of sixteenth-century life
and a wide range of matters came within the jurisdiction of its courts,
including supervision of personal morals along with more formal matters.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I first started to look at these records some years ago,
while researching for a degree, and I found them very difficult to understand
because, apart from the difficulties of deciphering the handwriting, much is
written in Latin, and heavily abbreviated formulaic Latin at that. I once asked
an eminent scholar whether there was any quick way to get to grips with
interpreting the documents, and he assured me that there wasn’t – he was quite
right! A lot of transcriptions and translations of similar documents have been
published, but very few of these are accompanied by a copy of the original document,
so this is what this new website is all about. I would like to record my thanks
to the staff of the Cheshire Record Office for the kindness and patience which
they have extended to me over the past few years.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It will take quite some time to upload all the cause papers
and related information and so it is an ongoing project, but I do hope that you
will find the website interesting and useful as the information in these
records tells us so much about the attitudes and daily life of 500 years ago,
so head over to <a href="https://www.chestercausepapers.org.uk/">https://www.chestercausepapers.org.uk/</a>
and take a look at what our ancestors got up to!<o:p></o:p></p>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-67141159264447734542022-08-23T11:23:00.000+01:002022-08-23T11:23:31.469+01:00A Farmer's Life: The Diary of James Higginson aged 57½ (part 2)<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Read Part 1 of <i>A Farmer's Life: The Diary of James Higginson aged 57½</i> <a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/08/a-farmers-life-diary-of-james-higginson.html" target="_blank">here.</a></b></span></p><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i></i></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The diary covering 1817-19 gives us an insight into a
particular 15 months in James Higginson’s life but what else do we know? We can tell from his writing that he was
educated. His diary entries show that he
employed several men, his financial dealings indicate he was reasonably well
off (he loaned money to friends and received dividends), he was able to take time
away from the farm to visit his brother who lived some distance away, and we
know he liked to socialise, but we hold other sources that add more
information.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">At the time this diary was started, James and Mary would
have been 57 and 42 years old and had been married for 17 years. They had three sons, Charles, 16, who worked
on the farm, Edward 11, and James, 7. We
know this because their marriage, their burials, and their children’s baptisms are
in the parish registers for St Bartholomew, Barrow.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7FKBl8wmhrQDWdKq0SVdSWkNSKvrPvF3JIEKa9rdBKBHVuXjxHp1_mbSM0wMRLGtM8vAyduMNo_sVZDkXkxJySJxf6kAXgiNYvhIUgE_KFY-GIif7WtsbPmH_mzI67_zkQ2C7IIiYuZWHqspTr_lVs0O6yNDsdwJt-iqKVE3kTEP_Ze-Pe_d-q6Xnw/s3508/Image%206_Marriage%20baptisms%20burials.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7FKBl8wmhrQDWdKq0SVdSWkNSKvrPvF3JIEKa9rdBKBHVuXjxHp1_mbSM0wMRLGtM8vAyduMNo_sVZDkXkxJySJxf6kAXgiNYvhIUgE_KFY-GIif7WtsbPmH_mzI67_zkQ2C7IIiYuZWHqspTr_lVs0O6yNDsdwJt-iqKVE3kTEP_Ze-Pe_d-q6Xnw/w283-h400/Image%206_Marriage%20baptisms%20burials.jpg" title="Entries from parish registers for St. Bartholomew, Barrow (ref: P 121), about James and Mary Higginson and their children" width="283" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />When James died in 1835 at the age of 75, he left
everything to Mary. We have his will which he signed just a few days before he died. By then, the man who had written so neatly in
the small notebook was too unwell to sign his name and could only make his
mark.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaovzFrpOlJmXypFzSO5Zg5NZR3kRRlvZ0OoQALz9N90V1F5HMx6vok0U88vISH4w-yXp3MG2RHacte2S8UZIcx6NVRahOTZ9DM1pI8JsgKRjCd6_zVuJlCTDAXtkp-SiJZyItRaxqH9_F-IRgTSHmW_AYSRkPLFsGGYHsHfZ3jeDcQpjZbc0Kq6NRvQ/s2264/Image%207_WS_1843_James%20Higginson_his%20mark.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="2264" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaovzFrpOlJmXypFzSO5Zg5NZR3kRRlvZ0OoQALz9N90V1F5HMx6vok0U88vISH4w-yXp3MG2RHacte2S8UZIcx6NVRahOTZ9DM1pI8JsgKRjCd6_zVuJlCTDAXtkp-SiJZyItRaxqH9_F-IRgTSHmW_AYSRkPLFsGGYHsHfZ3jeDcQpjZbc0Kq6NRvQ/w320-h149/Image%207_WS_1843_James%20Higginson_his%20mark.jpg" title="Extract from the will of James Higginson (ref: WS 1843 Higginson)" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />We know that Mary continued at the farm until her death
in 1861 as the Tithe Apportionment of 1839 lists her as Occupier. Searching our <a href="https://maps.cheshireeast.gov.uk/tithemaps/" target="_blank">Tithe Map site</a> using her name
will show you the extent of the land the Higginson’s farmed.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi__yYVZWih0GmdkyeX70D7YLcwwnAGiShJn3yxDGLbTnMHH37ztZCELzW6Ujo6fHOnGJt-9rw-KL46Kdw9s8cxTK16B8vQlLlzHKPSpkPVxsksnj2p-e31z-BKpLThubcX_ab3oSjVTVJ9u4VZ5gFd3eJND2UcBE3rPY1_UiEPNE7OGsDaa7OcT73Tg/s2317/Image%208_EDT_37_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1610" data-original-width="2317" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi__yYVZWih0GmdkyeX70D7YLcwwnAGiShJn3yxDGLbTnMHH37ztZCELzW6Ujo6fHOnGJt-9rw-KL46Kdw9s8cxTK16B8vQlLlzHKPSpkPVxsksnj2p-e31z-BKpLThubcX_ab3oSjVTVJ9u4VZ5gFd3eJND2UcBE3rPY1_UiEPNE7OGsDaa7OcT73Tg/w320-h222/Image%208_EDT_37_1.jpg" title="Tithe apportionment 1839 (ref: EDT 37/1)" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />We also know that by 1851 her sons Charles and James no
longer lived in the family home. Census
returns for 1851 and 1861 show that her middle son Edward still lived with her
and helped run the farm. In 1851 the
household consists of: Mary, Farmer of 86 acres, Edward, Farmer’s son, plus a
Dairymaid, Housemaid, Waggoner and Cowman.
The next census in 1861 was the year Mary died. She was 86 years old and presumably needed
more help running the household as her niece Alice Woodier is included as
Housekeeper. There was also a Dairymaid,
Housemaid, Carter, Cow Boy (aged 14) and Stable Boy (aged 12).</span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKznYoE1YqaMEqlRNzvsgTrjUj5R5ChqWLUrJOJN7gdN8TyJCxBbGXLjTNws62zNtqHgwu0t8knyxhbpFer6Ml80et5N6WuRLyKKGrpJKxbR1JPZWP7d3Z90SfgC8kdF1MR5NDBEUGiSPouo7q2l9EB1d-adz8DLq8UuGt4qPw2VaU5lZFOoL0FfgCg/s2480/Image%209_Census_1851_1861.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2183" data-original-width="2480" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKznYoE1YqaMEqlRNzvsgTrjUj5R5ChqWLUrJOJN7gdN8TyJCxBbGXLjTNws62zNtqHgwu0t8knyxhbpFer6Ml80et5N6WuRLyKKGrpJKxbR1JPZWP7d3Z90SfgC8kdF1MR5NDBEUGiSPouo7q2l9EB1d-adz8DLq8UuGt4qPw2VaU5lZFOoL0FfgCg/w320-h282/Image%209_Census_1851_1861.jpg" title="Census returns, 1851 and 1861" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The newspapers of the time help to flesh out events that
James only mentions in passing such as the deaths of Princess Charlotte and
Queen Charlotte, mentioned previously, giving us a taste of life in the early 19th century.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">One particularly gruesome event was recorded briefly on
Saturday 9th May 1818.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
came between a sentence about his cows and a note on the price of butter: ‘My
wife & her Son James at Chester seeing the Two men to suffer’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold on - what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Chester Courant of 12th May
1818 carries a report of the execution by hanging of 2 men, Abraham Rosthern
and Isaac Moors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rosthern had stolen
items from his employer, namely 7 pictures, 1 looking glass, 5 silver
teaspoons, 1 pair of silver sugar tongs, a drinking horn, a quantity of jaconet
muslin, gold thread and several other articles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Moors had broken into a house and stolen various articles of linen and
drapery.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9U_f8uMnd6vaX9xeTY-pk98Ts-XBYmQMZMSNfWNFgriunXJSWPQSwJYA1eMunbKrOMOS21WRl7lT324n_DObwTBjxpUx8N5dFz04EpjvYGUUgzQQnyWuPjHrhPvUJE6-MZaKjBULUfHx2EizVZH-catNqYcSHlbqFAj7CU2R9czRUmpTLVXNRtU91kw/s1688/Image%2010_Chester%20Courant%2012%20May%201818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1688" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9U_f8uMnd6vaX9xeTY-pk98Ts-XBYmQMZMSNfWNFgriunXJSWPQSwJYA1eMunbKrOMOS21WRl7lT324n_DObwTBjxpUx8N5dFz04EpjvYGUUgzQQnyWuPjHrhPvUJE6-MZaKjBULUfHx2EizVZH-catNqYcSHlbqFAj7CU2R9czRUmpTLVXNRtU91kw/w320-h112/Image%2010_Chester%20Courant%2012%20May%201818.jpg" title="Chester Courant, 12 May 1818" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The Courant reported that a great crowd came to watch the
executions, estimating that 6000 people attended. In amongst them were Mary Higginson and her
youngest son James. The parish records
have James being born and baptised in August 1809, so in May 1818 he would only
have been 8 years old! Whether he was
brought along as a form of entertainment or to terrify him into living an
honest life, we’ll never know.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>All of these items and more are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester.</i></span></o:p></p>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-24176979892538005552022-08-04T08:58:00.001+01:002022-08-04T08:58:42.792+01:00A Farmer's Life: The Diary of James Higginson aged 57½ (part 1)<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>In 1817 you could buy a small notebook from Mr Poole of
Chester for 1s/6d.</span><span> </span><span>James Higginson
bought one and wrote in it every day, except Sunday, from Monday 13th</span><span> October 1817 until Saturday 16th January 1819.</span><span>
</span><span>There were most likely other notebooks before and after this one, but
this little diary is all that’s left 200 years later.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJAULJSDvBYDCAxD2-UI_hQD3tPuN0-4q0RSFCjPMEpjUuqG_7WBBTFrOQulY7q9Tnq7SkJ6HSnlv4TWhCGProBs1Pe9tLlmA3UVwyZZkp3bM99WrQTLt3R5NXUIG7o4cRxUKAPsEMct5YKD7oZpAUgRaPJNVy1LYBgMO8VF5IaC0MUJfuPKLv6JrXw/s1905/Image%201_DDX_106_2%20crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1905" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJAULJSDvBYDCAxD2-UI_hQD3tPuN0-4q0RSFCjPMEpjUuqG_7WBBTFrOQulY7q9Tnq7SkJ6HSnlv4TWhCGProBs1Pe9tLlmA3UVwyZZkp3bM99WrQTLt3R5NXUIG7o4cRxUKAPsEMct5YKD7oZpAUgRaPJNVy1LYBgMO8VF5IaC0MUJfuPKLv6JrXw/w320-h119/Image%201_DDX_106_2%20crop.jpg" title="Extract from Diary of James Higginson, farmer, 1817-1819 (ref: DDX 106)" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />James farmed land in the village of Barrow, a few miles
outside Chester, and he used the notebook as a daily record of the work of the
farm; the weather; weekly trips to buy and sell goods at market; snippets of local
and family news; and occasional mentions of national events.<span> </span><span>From his writings we know that it was a mixed
farm with pigs, dairy cattle that produced milk for the cheese and butter his
wife Mary sold at market, and some chickens.</span><span>
</span><span>James grew wheat and potatoes, turnips (probably for the cattle) and
planted peas in his garden.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDzr9L8cEuJBylSplXVAEJRGOf3WyFDdem-x0SQSJpF5xwgY5yBHMEmUTjIJiOWrbyLPOjlVwmdbqLH2HMCOIL87tJG7gRqOmw2Qjcm6qDYMHWFvE49rhURNjwhjUrGGMPaL4_tcDYppKN55ZJNQ0q68Y4pYeqDslo5xrsA9irryfR_29CzcfQctDfw/s3870/Image%202_DDX_106_35%20crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="3870" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDzr9L8cEuJBylSplXVAEJRGOf3WyFDdem-x0SQSJpF5xwgY5yBHMEmUTjIJiOWrbyLPOjlVwmdbqLH2HMCOIL87tJG7gRqOmw2Qjcm6qDYMHWFvE49rhURNjwhjUrGGMPaL4_tcDYppKN55ZJNQ0q68Y4pYeqDslo5xrsA9irryfR_29CzcfQctDfw/w400-h53/Image%202_DDX_106_35%20crop.jpg" title="Extract from Diary of James Higginson, farmer, 1817-1819 (ref: DDX 106)" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though writing space was limited, James didn’t just
record the daily grind.<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">There is often a
note in the margin or maybe a line given over to local events, leisure time, or
words of wisdom for his future self, such as this from 3rd</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> March 1818
when he got drunk with friends and lost a wager: </span><i style="font-family: arial;">‘James go no more to Ale
houses – mind’</i><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">But like most people
who have a few too many and regret it the next day, he didn’t heed his own
advice!</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">He very honestly notes every now
and then spending the evening (or the day) at the alehouse, and advice in
November to ‘</span><i style="font-family: arial;">Drink no more wiskey’</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> is followed a week later with ‘</span><i style="font-family: arial;">got
Drunk a gain. No Better nie Before.’</i><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5WOIwx27HgPJhKUsCjio0RxQknoDMFi8yrEqQQk_exL_jrHmsoqlO_qH-UxqFc6yCYtQtaNnLCCrwt8DFrQ5jWr3hAf9pq7ZAvIyQkQJdcM4NMJym7otEHTWd1k48eXZVY-cjA_WtM5u4e0ZWZpuElA6lO7WwbMarqqbGhzZXHCCprUtvszYcXQNCQ/s1022/Image%203_DDX_106_23%20crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="1022" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5WOIwx27HgPJhKUsCjio0RxQknoDMFi8yrEqQQk_exL_jrHmsoqlO_qH-UxqFc6yCYtQtaNnLCCrwt8DFrQ5jWr3hAf9pq7ZAvIyQkQJdcM4NMJym7otEHTWd1k48eXZVY-cjA_WtM5u4e0ZWZpuElA6lO7WwbMarqqbGhzZXHCCprUtvszYcXQNCQ/w320-h175/Image%203_DDX_106_23%20crop.jpg" title="Extract from Diary of James Higginson, farmer, 1817-1819 (ref: DDX 106)" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There were notes of things he bought – flower seeds,
waistcoats and britches for himself or his sons, 2 handkerchiefs for 4
shillings and sixpence, an ‘umberbelow’ (umbrella), and a watch for his eldest
son Charles.<span> </span><span>On one occasion someone
came to the house to make Mary </span><i>‘a pare of Stayes’</i><span> - who knows what Mary
thought about such information being recorded for posterity!</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXT33X-ysa3bMiozcHP3lSEf3IMCHGmBmmEnXCMZKhPRWbIS8XQ7Worri5wubqtizWzIqLxHeIrCi-uP2hvY24z1LTszQ_nYBgaOdwOPoVaV4H1Vc4SgvugRAot3ClHst2QLTXY2CFJzikPZnFKlHmr0-vWX0wcl6FRLXrJr9sDK71VUiEk_DnAoJhGQ/s2033/Image%204_DDX_106_64%20crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="2033" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXT33X-ysa3bMiozcHP3lSEf3IMCHGmBmmEnXCMZKhPRWbIS8XQ7Worri5wubqtizWzIqLxHeIrCi-uP2hvY24z1LTszQ_nYBgaOdwOPoVaV4H1Vc4SgvugRAot3ClHst2QLTXY2CFJzikPZnFKlHmr0-vWX0wcl6FRLXrJr9sDK71VUiEk_DnAoJhGQ/w320-h79/Image%204_DDX_106_64%20crop.jpg" title="Extract from Diary of James Higginson, farmer, 1817-1819 (ref: DDX 106)" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In early December 1817 he wrote a derogatory comment on
the marriage of an older acquaintance: <i>‘Old Mr Rite of Norley Marry’d this Week
wich I thought too old for much Execution’.</i><span>
</span><span>In September 1818 he was very pleased to have sold his pigs for a good
price, then wrote a note to remind himself <i>‘Never sell all your pigs a Gain –
but kill one’</i> because he then had to buy another pig at market to feed his
family!</span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">James notes various deaths amongst his acquaintance including
a Christmas day burial, and in February 1818 he sadly lost both his brother,
John, and sister, Betty, within 3 weeks of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two deaths of national importance also make
it into his diary, those of Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Prince of Wales,
and Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Princess Charlotte died after giving birth to a stillborn son and the
mourning was national and profound with shops closing for 2 weeks and drapers
running out of black cloth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she was
buried on 19th November 1817 James wrote: <i>‘Princess Charlottey
Interede at Winsor a very Deplorable day’.</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A year later the death and burial of the Queen
was also recorded: <i>‘our gracious Queen departed’ </i>but though a notable and sad
occasion, it seems to have affected him less.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsiZjyFRhdio-QhEwuo56lyOJbMfHDhW2Ss-Wwm0TQL0whiTcEcscvpfLKOn0EKA8VaSJrG1BxUffDxI1JN87So0nfcK4GOBCg7k9qe5e4gJtD7D3IYBpE8f2RJZsPlKsJZc-vtg9peZeStNdgGZWomBqo6txv-ohn-K_Lmzvh6EAxFB9B1SQFR_vtw/s1862/Image%205_Chester%20Courant_11%20Nov%201817_Charlotte.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1862" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsiZjyFRhdio-QhEwuo56lyOJbMfHDhW2Ss-Wwm0TQL0whiTcEcscvpfLKOn0EKA8VaSJrG1BxUffDxI1JN87So0nfcK4GOBCg7k9qe5e4gJtD7D3IYBpE8f2RJZsPlKsJZc-vtg9peZeStNdgGZWomBqo6txv-ohn-K_Lmzvh6EAxFB9B1SQFR_vtw/w320-h211/Image%205_Chester%20Courant_11%20Nov%201817_Charlotte.jpg" title="Chester Courant, 11 November 1817" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">He closes the notebook with record of wages paid to his farm
workers and servants; a list of meat bought; bills paid to maintain his farm carts;
money received from dividends and cash paid out; and a list of cows calved with
some of their names – Plum, Dunham, Primrose, Little Weaver, Tydey, Nutt, Lilley,
Bett, Weston and Cherry.<span> </span><span>With every last
page filled, our peek into the life of James Higginson ends and it’s time for a
new notebook.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span>Coming soon - in part 2 of <i>A Farmer's Life</i></span></b><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>: Diary of James Higginson Aged 57½, </i></b><b style="font-family: arial;"><span>we learn more about James, his wife Mary and some significant events of the time. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>All of these items and more are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-47119702192956922532022-07-19T15:46:00.001+01:002022-07-20T10:44:24.568+01:00Holiday Snaps!<span style="font-family: arial;">Is your phone full of photos that you haven’t got round to printing yet? Before the advent of smartphones, most of us kept collections of holiday snaps - and since photography became popular and accessible from the late 19th century, our ancestors did too. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Cheshire Archives and Local Studies has a large collection of photographs - many available on <a href="http://www.CheshireImageBank.org.uk" target="_blank">Cheshire Image Bank</a>. Here is a selection of our photographs of holidays, from luxury overseas travel in the early 20th century, to the traditional British seaside break. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">These early ‘staycations’ of days out on the beach were taken on Wallasey beach on the Wirral. The photograph below left shows children enjoying the seaside during the 1890s, and below right an unknown group is pictured on the same beach during the 1910s. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSZ_2JC7ODg6USBl1rXeWRnAIMBgr8djpw34gdH-fKLj5NLZp9ObJb5K7aCANoHRtp_R-UiUMGwacdlQ75S2yd0cMwt5O2DcnD3OzzM9N3HcmbtAnnZDoCM8nUkhEMNc5786SiClGoNV8gjn5nXSXDNVHKfvZBZFCYed4zo376eeoSDiFbkihikJpjg/s1547/c08559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1547" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSZ_2JC7ODg6USBl1rXeWRnAIMBgr8djpw34gdH-fKLj5NLZp9ObJb5K7aCANoHRtp_R-UiUMGwacdlQ75S2yd0cMwt5O2DcnD3OzzM9N3HcmbtAnnZDoCM8nUkhEMNc5786SiClGoNV8gjn5nXSXDNVHKfvZBZFCYed4zo376eeoSDiFbkihikJpjg/w200-h137/c08559.jpg" title="Wallasey, 1890s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c08559)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ0GhEyIdEk7Y0JzOPM_gs0Vk2fUZX4f_X3fuQKEAQeLXysZr0x1nXGQzFWALv615JtzPlfo6EIfRIQJfvBgjkkg7PKwWuYE1t5jmcJ9F1IfJY9yLlAjRlSiCy2BW-KaEXQBgZQfftvDCfQUCGgvC4Ol6vdSyaFhuLkT79d42bVsZycGNGmKsEJRg-Q/s2865/FD03669.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="2865" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ0GhEyIdEk7Y0JzOPM_gs0Vk2fUZX4f_X3fuQKEAQeLXysZr0x1nXGQzFWALv615JtzPlfo6EIfRIQJfvBgjkkg7PKwWuYE1t5jmcJ9F1IfJY9yLlAjRlSiCy2BW-KaEXQBgZQfftvDCfQUCGgvC4Ol6vdSyaFhuLkT79d42bVsZycGNGmKsEJRg-Q/w200-h124/FD03669.jpg" title="Wallasey Beach, 1910s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: FD03669)" width="200" /></a></div><br />Do you remember having a donkey ride on the beach as a child? These donkeys (below left) were pictured on Hoylake beach in 1911. They took visitors – some in carriages – over to Hilbre Island. The colour image below right is a scene from West Kirby beach, taken during the 1910s. We can just make out some donkeys standing in the background! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmA39TyjWEsQyKubxLVGw-XmWYXv08EIkMKl65lzkknHmbnx8LGNUuk8qR7pXYixsaS_A06bFLGlo9yF-Njc5CGS4TOnPVcB7LrmG8hV_9ZZdBCb2Qa8XzjIWRNvsv6lCos4W0k3_OaR_owf6wcZ9MRmHaxHT5lcbQYyYPt_aFnFPyNWKTF_HBr5Mgw/s3859/c09943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2453" data-original-width="3859" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmA39TyjWEsQyKubxLVGw-XmWYXv08EIkMKl65lzkknHmbnx8LGNUuk8qR7pXYixsaS_A06bFLGlo9yF-Njc5CGS4TOnPVcB7LrmG8hV_9ZZdBCb2Qa8XzjIWRNvsv6lCos4W0k3_OaR_owf6wcZ9MRmHaxHT5lcbQYyYPt_aFnFPyNWKTF_HBr5Mgw/w200-h127/c09943.jpg" title="Hoylake: Donkeys on the beach, 1911 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c09943)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcdDbsBQXKKUh5g4b1NavLNYLFfCsyA1zxfQYQOvJlL6OPC86392NNMIjBgu_4R9Qoxx04YLjhmLfjb0jz1C5DeOnsGxst2BYvnzRERkb6rYcoXTfucu7t3CyIFGaIs0rVqo673aGafkPbLh-2yfQ7wqqlU-kTXYOF8FX1U8nYvkuikY_BI3ae-thaw/s3910/c09955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2384" data-original-width="3910" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcdDbsBQXKKUh5g4b1NavLNYLFfCsyA1zxfQYQOvJlL6OPC86392NNMIjBgu_4R9Qoxx04YLjhmLfjb0jz1C5DeOnsGxst2BYvnzRERkb6rYcoXTfucu7t3CyIFGaIs0rVqo673aGafkPbLh-2yfQ7wqqlU-kTXYOF8FX1U8nYvkuikY_BI3ae-thaw/w200-h122/c09955.jpg" title="West Kirby beach, 1910s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c09955)" width="200" /></a></div><br />Some people were fortunate to undertake extensive travel abroad, and we have a record of one such family from over a hundred years ago. The Bates family of Hinderton Hall near Neston kept a journal of a motoring holiday in France, Spain and Portugal in 1908. They had their car shipped to Lisbon via La Rochelle and planned to, <i><blockquote>“return home in the aforesaid motor via Boulogne, Folkestone and other ports and/or places on the way, having liberty to call at ports in any order and to sail or travel with or without pilots or chauffeurs, until the said motor should arrive at Hinderton Hall Neston Cheshire England and so end the voyage.” </blockquote></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIn1h3JF2aJNWVrmxHkhjJIEo0NNX5zgDVnsH8ZIH9fri7n4nfSgll6czjOMbRHbgZoYzdNu8ib8tBR77Wu2c_gPuxqsvoNuu0tzfe8BmSCpE00vg3xWkasXi4E7WtxpYNVdy_ptN1zj60XSjkz6RGsq_b4j8nK_3MJ9-qpo7lthq5bOx_T5x-gbYEA/s4623/DDX_442_a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4623" data-original-width="2286" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIn1h3JF2aJNWVrmxHkhjJIEo0NNX5zgDVnsH8ZIH9fri7n4nfSgll6czjOMbRHbgZoYzdNu8ib8tBR77Wu2c_gPuxqsvoNuu0tzfe8BmSCpE00vg3xWkasXi4E7WtxpYNVdy_ptN1zj60XSjkz6RGsq_b4j8nK_3MJ9-qpo7lthq5bOx_T5x-gbYEA/w99-h200/DDX_442_a.jpg" title="Journal of the holiday in France, Spain and Portugal of the Bates family of Hinderton Hall, Neston (ref: DDX 442/1)" width="99" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdF4Lvu1nGkiof92RMyo17U94NjPlXfXIBzGmTY_14otcQxlUCOk1kbfpuyZyUMQpAR6YjhO3Ugjjgs7WxIBvnKS-cEMc9ftPdeJU5ShRyT68VxsQsyiflYZxhWi52a524QhU3cPFwFM8it6nRFcE4h9VP6PJRRSpy9QO4i_HgUTAVLYULPlq26EK5w/s3611/DDX_442_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="3611" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdF4Lvu1nGkiof92RMyo17U94NjPlXfXIBzGmTY_14otcQxlUCOk1kbfpuyZyUMQpAR6YjhO3Ugjjgs7WxIBvnKS-cEMc9ftPdeJU5ShRyT68VxsQsyiflYZxhWi52a524QhU3cPFwFM8it6nRFcE4h9VP6PJRRSpy9QO4i_HgUTAVLYULPlq26EK5w/w320-h61/DDX_442_c.jpg" title="Journal of the holiday in France, Spain and Portugal of the Bates family of Hinderton Hall, Neston (ref: DDX 442/1)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here is a photograph from the journal showing their car being loaded onto a ship: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh-H7FIV2spzpSB5aWgp33Wpw_oEKjXGCfo3kv4mibhFANNanQEGBwTBxV6OAK7I9XHTc09PIySZIqPsm7TcaOgjsUpW522KySKqXEGr-r-eRDDLloLtiN6TlfA45T75V4p2xgQIOopJo31XDtjJma2fSXhf0pb2B7NASGpJMmzdDdnwU9csmJd_JzA/s3072/DDX_442_car%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2199" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh-H7FIV2spzpSB5aWgp33Wpw_oEKjXGCfo3kv4mibhFANNanQEGBwTBxV6OAK7I9XHTc09PIySZIqPsm7TcaOgjsUpW522KySKqXEGr-r-eRDDLloLtiN6TlfA45T75V4p2xgQIOopJo31XDtjJma2fSXhf0pb2B7NASGpJMmzdDdnwU9csmJd_JzA/w229-h320/DDX_442_car%202.jpg" title="Journal of the holiday in France, Spain and Portugal of the Bates family of Hinderton Hall, Neston (ref: DDX 442/1)" width="229" /></a></div><br />The journal contains photographs of the places they visited, some of which are still popular destinations today - such as the harbour at La Rochelle and the chateau at Blois in France; the town of Leiria and the hermits cells of Bussaco in Portugal; and the famous Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYGJ1CWN2zXCIXMF7OBVjmT9eYJaUWTC1oUJvrdTcOd70AtXs8u-6WY0Dys8B4C1XI0U9-qNlENuQwdprECP3_UOF2MnsW4MNg7waLreNUAawy06UwBaHQ2hTpD7MFukpFSgEie7IV91AtBotjSgYR5Hddt6BwSuNaCtqlHWDBHSpt1pwG6d3fqA2Wg/s3006/DDX_442_La_Rochelle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="3006" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYGJ1CWN2zXCIXMF7OBVjmT9eYJaUWTC1oUJvrdTcOd70AtXs8u-6WY0Dys8B4C1XI0U9-qNlENuQwdprECP3_UOF2MnsW4MNg7waLreNUAawy06UwBaHQ2hTpD7MFukpFSgEie7IV91AtBotjSgYR5Hddt6BwSuNaCtqlHWDBHSpt1pwG6d3fqA2Wg/w200-h141/DDX_442_La_Rochelle.jpg" title="La Rochelle, France - Journal of the holiday in France, Spain and Portugal of the Bates family of Hinderton Hall, Neston (ref: DDX 442/1)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVCadezFIZl3O7aLKjhxriNHJIUORC1wZoEl-R1eA2VDWEDxKoOpjcNU2v9jfdUrQJ9gBCbrWZeQwnqNRYrzIKbtZ7LCCM8Fm0H1ItsVJTPOiE7-q5x2zuL5sAj609chUKXYFgjlqfPeIcyufxfRGG_Uv2dDWDObjOZIGsHPcm3cRW8AB98BsbA1aXA/s2771/DDX_442_Chateau%20Blois.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2771" data-original-width="2577" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVCadezFIZl3O7aLKjhxriNHJIUORC1wZoEl-R1eA2VDWEDxKoOpjcNU2v9jfdUrQJ9gBCbrWZeQwnqNRYrzIKbtZ7LCCM8Fm0H1ItsVJTPOiE7-q5x2zuL5sAj609chUKXYFgjlqfPeIcyufxfRGG_Uv2dDWDObjOZIGsHPcm3cRW8AB98BsbA1aXA/w186-h200/DDX_442_Chateau%20Blois.jpg" title="Chateau de Blois, France - Journal of the holiday in France, Spain and Portugal of the Bates family of Hinderton Hall, Neston (ref: DDX 442/1)" width="186" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjC2QQbgn3Y11rM_R1P43hMYZiN1LbwXpIQp8YqjD9ocoGrdf__adKrmzN16PfUcVhVlc0uvEnJUzaloMO7rpSXfNyXfqmYv9EtwfjE3GW1M349mzA4ZCfLtyoh26AhZ9D_OFKhqD25y4IfxaLunZy-d4Mo3CslZU8nS508JOC8L5EC4yAQc8gcNctw/s2956/DDX_442_Leiria.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1811" data-original-width="2956" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjC2QQbgn3Y11rM_R1P43hMYZiN1LbwXpIQp8YqjD9ocoGrdf__adKrmzN16PfUcVhVlc0uvEnJUzaloMO7rpSXfNyXfqmYv9EtwfjE3GW1M349mzA4ZCfLtyoh26AhZ9D_OFKhqD25y4IfxaLunZy-d4Mo3CslZU8nS508JOC8L5EC4yAQc8gcNctw/w200-h122/DDX_442_Leiria.jpg" title="Leiria, Portugal - Journal of the holiday in France, Spain and Portugal of the Bates family of Hinderton Hall, Neston (ref: DDX 442/1)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJaFX7OlwMggvIexxN3f1pyOD-ZhIUSQoFKIBMC-GW9LuTuNL1tvERyEPmAJ0HdPdTYy-wmP8EN-mrtZZ3YTLN8kYhp2g9sy6MZYzTUHjUBsDeiqpqbchHK1h2ugx5gk3wGcYELBTLi1rvjBXF1eXht8RGkr_vW8xXyimYABnFb5-8TqYWweRghaSOQ/s3270/DDX_442_Bussaco.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3270" data-original-width="2133" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJaFX7OlwMggvIexxN3f1pyOD-ZhIUSQoFKIBMC-GW9LuTuNL1tvERyEPmAJ0HdPdTYy-wmP8EN-mrtZZ3YTLN8kYhp2g9sy6MZYzTUHjUBsDeiqpqbchHK1h2ugx5gk3wGcYELBTLi1rvjBXF1eXht8RGkr_vW8xXyimYABnFb5-8TqYWweRghaSOQ/w131-h200/DDX_442_Bussaco.jpg" title="Bussaco, Portugal - Journal of the holiday in France, Spain and Portugal of the Bates family of Hinderton Hall, Neston (ref: DDX 442/1)" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKb_zfi8F6aq5B3mYEYWqtX9vxJfi9qTUMzVHEWdfMVA8vk7FOpebnhjhhQeZqW_B1oZSYvm4xZwuVqr-bCmMcSzt_8zqVC3GfGXa_xE9pYtQxmI-C6PiRgCDSVaXiA65CKKBFZOW3nf8X_Nnln8nXn96yf9QK9d-HusepQf_qqY5x2FzcMV2jHhdBA/s2787/DDX_442_Santiago%20West%20Door.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="2512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKb_zfi8F6aq5B3mYEYWqtX9vxJfi9qTUMzVHEWdfMVA8vk7FOpebnhjhhQeZqW_B1oZSYvm4xZwuVqr-bCmMcSzt_8zqVC3GfGXa_xE9pYtQxmI-C6PiRgCDSVaXiA65CKKBFZOW3nf8X_Nnln8nXn96yf9QK9d-HusepQf_qqY5x2FzcMV2jHhdBA/w180-h200/DDX_442_Santiago%20West%20Door.jpg" title="Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Spain - Journal of the holiday in France, Spain and Portugal of the Bates family of Hinderton Hall, Neston (ref: DDX 442/1)" width="180" /></a></div><br />Other holidays were taken much closer to home. The images below were taken on the Cheshire Broads near Winsford. On the left is an advertisement from 1930 for holiday bungalows at the edge of the Flashes near Wharton; and on the right is a group holidaying at the bungalows around that time. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Bqu_Msk3XJNJ-LdPt9iDpZ3U1_jUKrNYkJNPbEDBwAv5xXuUvMpHE4c34quNY4ypPqvmKSoQRMas_PCTDgxeA7S9URMKU-N2xv5zXfrsI_SGVV05K2WqwDwQ41b0kZMGb1RdJD9bfkRUTvLWGAT97iE2WuXesy7S0NjZJTLUWb5Kq--kwDljLDzr5Q/s1036/c08582.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1036" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Bqu_Msk3XJNJ-LdPt9iDpZ3U1_jUKrNYkJNPbEDBwAv5xXuUvMpHE4c34quNY4ypPqvmKSoQRMas_PCTDgxeA7S9URMKU-N2xv5zXfrsI_SGVV05K2WqwDwQ41b0kZMGb1RdJD9bfkRUTvLWGAT97iE2WuXesy7S0NjZJTLUWb5Kq--kwDljLDzr5Q/w200-h127/c08582.jpg" title="Winsford: the Flashes, near Wharton, 1930 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c08582)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wlpZbErHrdBnyjLm6-sQlMukjcshonx0zgUfJ9c2jwBHWLeof4HK-fizeaCtccRrb2iCnHH6h3U7eQvtEDY3kaJf-VpqArhKKndRqRtKLxuNH6iZA0cDobqe4YzdPeo637-bXhJHZEIQQQoT-gj3gw4FJBn_HXK8T30smQ46WCD2uqVlTYyd_bkXag/s1202/c08569.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1202" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wlpZbErHrdBnyjLm6-sQlMukjcshonx0zgUfJ9c2jwBHWLeof4HK-fizeaCtccRrb2iCnHH6h3U7eQvtEDY3kaJf-VpqArhKKndRqRtKLxuNH6iZA0cDobqe4YzdPeo637-bXhJHZEIQQQoT-gj3gw4FJBn_HXK8T30smQ46WCD2uqVlTYyd_bkXag/w200-h129/c08569.jpg" title="Winsford: the Flashes, near Wharton, 1930s (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c08569)" width="200" /></a></div><br />Camping and caravanning holidays started to become popular in the early twentieth century, and we have photos of them in one of our collections - the records of the Baker family of Runcorn. Chemist and university lecturer Harry Baker (1859-1935) was a prolific amateur photographer from the 1880s to the 1920s, and his collection includes images of his family on holidays, including going camping:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO1pFQG0pYJmgNsBNNUqlT4BOVfU69USF8ZiUcI2iJCelG7sIAsy_d1hNnum8wltdOnwtE6FeOQ40r-TmR30CASJpjsLzGWyRUUYiuCjjpV2YvzooSm7IV0tzZ1E6XeP1aIDjxqtOG-Knt9R11-NzjlAPTYaVwvh68oj1P1nb0SdGtpdUlBz_3PLTng/s307/D%208082_7a%20CROPPED.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="226" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO1pFQG0pYJmgNsBNNUqlT4BOVfU69USF8ZiUcI2iJCelG7sIAsy_d1hNnum8wltdOnwtE6FeOQ40r-TmR30CASJpjsLzGWyRUUYiuCjjpV2YvzooSm7IV0tzZ1E6XeP1aIDjxqtOG-Knt9R11-NzjlAPTYaVwvh68oj1P1nb0SdGtpdUlBz_3PLTng/w147-h200/D%208082_7a%20CROPPED.jpg" title="Page from Baker family album, headed 'Barmouth' (ref: D 8082/7/A)" width="147" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2v3bJFjWUwiZ_S43TmQ-_c4Ui1CTDUUu9BwAeIKIGCaGN19bB14sbwEB32LjELutc-uxIXIaDuvxF1APwWYjNB7jOlXyZ7nlAomVgYeBoc8WGR259tWzsDyvxyPimkwiF04_Qz2haN6rcFEQejtZSCdENeJoaVjTWpX1w6XvuS0IUQ0LD0Pk-QNEcag/s269/D%208082_19a%20CROPPED%20centre%20right.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="269" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2v3bJFjWUwiZ_S43TmQ-_c4Ui1CTDUUu9BwAeIKIGCaGN19bB14sbwEB32LjELutc-uxIXIaDuvxF1APwWYjNB7jOlXyZ7nlAomVgYeBoc8WGR259tWzsDyvxyPimkwiF04_Qz2haN6rcFEQejtZSCdENeJoaVjTWpX1w6XvuS0IUQ0LD0Pk-QNEcag/w200-h117/D%208082_19a%20CROPPED%20centre%20right.jpg" title="Page from Baker family album, family and holiday (ref: D 8082/19)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Yf4gSNWfE0ijkCxqG2KBBWK8srP6C-lR7hXyhrVc_teIwAlwscBeSrmUfBdLxK-cpSMcBJpdR0YDZMUoG5kAV3bGS4PiljuMyUakI7QmcUBkv427GFmbbds1oS6zyzQ9JSnNhMGrXbAAICExNnmBMFRCMeXzHfcvoH1NdS4jG2xO1cuM3MVAl2CWbQ/s295/D%208082_19a%20CROPPED%20centre%20left.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="295" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Yf4gSNWfE0ijkCxqG2KBBWK8srP6C-lR7hXyhrVc_teIwAlwscBeSrmUfBdLxK-cpSMcBJpdR0YDZMUoG5kAV3bGS4PiljuMyUakI7QmcUBkv427GFmbbds1oS6zyzQ9JSnNhMGrXbAAICExNnmBMFRCMeXzHfcvoH1NdS4jG2xO1cuM3MVAl2CWbQ/w200-h137/D%208082_19a%20CROPPED%20centre%20left.jpg" title="Page from Baker family album, family and holiday (ref: D 8082/19)" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDT6kPNKNkG8qEiM8-VKZ6qVHQRfNAzHJfbrjxCj9R4MAix9NcphtOZIcvMPAdw1DVnU9Fg94S_8oTDwGJyg15V774VZ03HHny7ODLoV9dYN_iNgJNsG2DeYcMD92M7SnrRU-Gy3X5GqvLehWuIIxDc7hndJNKusBoK2DJqeWgZx7pB4DBpG81qRjatw/s293/D%208082_19b%20CROPPED%20bottom%20left.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="293" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDT6kPNKNkG8qEiM8-VKZ6qVHQRfNAzHJfbrjxCj9R4MAix9NcphtOZIcvMPAdw1DVnU9Fg94S_8oTDwGJyg15V774VZ03HHny7ODLoV9dYN_iNgJNsG2DeYcMD92M7SnrRU-Gy3X5GqvLehWuIIxDc7hndJNKusBoK2DJqeWgZx7pB4DBpG81qRjatw/w200-h139/D%208082_19b%20CROPPED%20bottom%20left.jpg" title="Page from Baker family album, family and holiday (ref: D 8082/19)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5a7slC_bEEgSkdn5fQYY83ircobfa78y7Ny4YTawirXaQcTjuiyoiu7TmqRrheEExLFmdXo4MZvh6XTwNCfQOwm-X6FUpeltiOOYECOl8iE4m3CnQAb_5z46NhFDc92pH07HAYx9Sxr0MZvRAVlLdctoQnWMfcz7DSm9TwBON9OlxsaxP7Ev0EfGAzQ/s287/D%208082_19b%20CROPPED%20centre.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="286" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5a7slC_bEEgSkdn5fQYY83ircobfa78y7Ny4YTawirXaQcTjuiyoiu7TmqRrheEExLFmdXo4MZvh6XTwNCfQOwm-X6FUpeltiOOYECOl8iE4m3CnQAb_5z46NhFDc92pH07HAYx9Sxr0MZvRAVlLdctoQnWMfcz7DSm9TwBON9OlxsaxP7Ev0EfGAzQ/w199-h200/D%208082_19b%20CROPPED%20centre.jpg" title="Page from Baker family album, family and holiday (ref: D 8082/19)" width="199" /></a><br /><br /></div><br />Don’t forget Cheshire Archives and Local Studies also holds a wide range of holiday images from before people had access to cameras, including sketches and paintings of holidays scenes, and travel diaries. A selection can be seen in our <a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2018/08/travel-plans_30.html" target="_blank">Travel Plans</a> blog. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">If you’re going away this summer, don’t forget to take some photos – and then print them out! We wish you a happy holiday. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>All these images and more can be viewed at Cheshire Record Office in Chester. Cheshire Image Bank is available at <a href="http://www.CheshireImageBank.org.uk">www.CheshireImageBank.org.uk</a> </i></span></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-80394705703756871852022-07-06T10:19:00.002+01:002022-07-07T07:15:09.140+01:00Archie's Archives Experience!<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>This blog post was written by one of our work experience students, Archie, who spent a week with us in June. Thanks for all of your work Archie!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">During my work
experience at Cheshire Record Office, I discovered plenty of new and genuinely
interesting things I didn’t know existed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 106%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On my first day I was able to sit in on a staff meeting and learn about how Cheshire Archives and Local Studies were partnering with local communities, finding them photos, documents and anything else they wanted so that they could hold their own events about themselves. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 106%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I spent some
time reading, cleaning and documenting the Mayors Scrapbook from 1936-1979. Not only did I learn about how to properly take care of
precious archives and how to keep them in the best condition so other people can view them later on, but I was able to read these small
snippets of history, whether they were simple invites to tea from the Mayor and
Mayoress in 1941, or a New Year’s card with a quote hoping for peace and an end
to the war. It felt like I was there, experiencing it myself. Even
just small things told a story, like a letter from the Royal household explaining that the Mayor and his wife wouldn’t be able to get a
congratulations letter for their Golden Jubilee for their marriage, which was
received on December 25<sup>th</sup>. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 106%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV38LgC3DaCt--SSa4g2bs4EXLD-KVcbDVvxqLtqgnYK_rq5qqHIz_5udd5HvvoNyeGAJMb6Cjc8sLFtnaXZPm8zOgs0ZDVVCCCxitsqUR0GFTKBS_DAO_yV-sNaG4JoWz-YcNOcCwL3u3-tdt2UO__M-4WX1pPohO2_wbPCgqq91cgH-rR-N7pU9Rg/s2849/IMG_20220620_131333717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2849" data-original-width="2212" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV38LgC3DaCt--SSa4g2bs4EXLD-KVcbDVvxqLtqgnYK_rq5qqHIz_5udd5HvvoNyeGAJMb6Cjc8sLFtnaXZPm8zOgs0ZDVVCCCxitsqUR0GFTKBS_DAO_yV-sNaG4JoWz-YcNOcCwL3u3-tdt2UO__M-4WX1pPohO2_wbPCgqq91cgH-rR-N7pU9Rg/s320/IMG_20220620_131333717.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 106%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I also helped to check photographs and see if they were on the <a href="https://www.cheshireimagebank.org.uk/">Cheshire Image Bank</a> or not. If they weren't on the site then I indexed them onto a spreadsheet, and did some research around the people, places and events photographed. Looking at a photograph of a local
blacksmith taken in the 19<sup>th</sup> century, it can only make
you wonder who those people were, what they’d experienced themselves and what they
did after the photo was taken. These small bits of history, which in the
greater scale of things didn’t mean much, represented normal people who lived, grew up and died well before I was born, like a window into the past.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKRyXTzA8KHpKKZ0AyaqX3i18co9HFNga9ROnIqVL9DTcnAQ5f0kZP_VO_pDKt2BeGy51nYTiRhV3WHXD2dnV6SUZoP9yBmz47XoC_u_XYMR8TrSRwPHkm-Flq5WFrd1ch74cho14P8AYoUbtEZNqteMQ1vqQ53hdC6qzoKJpCaJ_ivTVp7q7pyJYWQ/s3208/IMG_20220623_103314045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="3208" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKRyXTzA8KHpKKZ0AyaqX3i18co9HFNga9ROnIqVL9DTcnAQ5f0kZP_VO_pDKt2BeGy51nYTiRhV3WHXD2dnV6SUZoP9yBmz47XoC_u_XYMR8TrSRwPHkm-Flq5WFrd1ch74cho14P8AYoUbtEZNqteMQ1vqQ53hdC6qzoKJpCaJ_ivTVp7q7pyJYWQ/s320/IMG_20220623_103314045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 106%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I also used Zooniverse, a website where you can transcribe articles and documents from hundreds of subjects. I was moving information over from patient records from the Parkside Asylum. Stuff like this can be used for studies relating to anything, and could help countless people in research. (You can get involved in the Parkside Asylum project <a href="https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/cheshirero/parkside-asylum">here</a>!)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 106%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The people who work at the Record Office are genuinely some of the most dedicated people I’ve met, you can see that they have a huge interest in what they do, and that they want others to be able to know about what they do and use the records they hold.</span></p>
<br /></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-30378400282355687962022-06-21T11:06:00.000+01:002022-09-05T06:46:37.795+01:00More Than a Shop - a Talking Tour of Chester<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; language: en-GB; mso-ansi-language: en-GB; mso-ligatures: none;">More Than a Shop: A Talking Tour of Chester </span><span lang="en-GB">is a historic walking tour by Cheshire Archives and Local Studies.</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-GB"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-GB"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GiQgLzNh_pOQT3fp8E4NEtOie6lQxrz3V38ijVd-2wRECDy_hTk0IhYMHlvBMA2xC3paAuilmhpRbwZ4uvv4dLeOjpFwKSx0XKsfcI6HAvjd90PkO00YENwix92HvftSBM6KSh8U5a5kgrLd31WnM7eLSb62gcgwnc4E7viWfx5U_rGn_QWvl2cl0Q/s3167/MicrosoftTeams-image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="3167" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GiQgLzNh_pOQT3fp8E4NEtOie6lQxrz3V38ijVd-2wRECDy_hTk0IhYMHlvBMA2xC3paAuilmhpRbwZ4uvv4dLeOjpFwKSx0XKsfcI6HAvjd90PkO00YENwix92HvftSBM6KSh8U5a5kgrLd31WnM7eLSb62gcgwnc4E7viWfx5U_rGn_QWvl2cl0Q/s320/MicrosoftTeams-image.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span lang="en-GB"><br /><span lang="en-GB">In the early 1980s the Chester Archaeological Society recorded older residents’ recollections of life in the city throughout the twentieth century. These oral history recordings were recently digitised thanks to the British Library’s National Lottery Heritage Project </span><span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; language: en-GB; mso-ansi-language: en-GB; mso-ligatures: none;">Unlocking Our Sound Heritage</span><span lang="en-GB"> </span><span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">and the expertise at the north west hub at Archives+ in Manchester.</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-GB">T</span>he tour is self-guided, so you can choose which sites you want to visit and in which order (our suggested route is mapped out below, or you can pick up a printed version from our Record Office). </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;">There is also the option of listening to the recordings on our brand new listening kiosk, just drop in to our searchroom <span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px;">between Tuesday 21 June and Thursday 23 June during our normal opening hours (9am-4pm). </span>We are based at Cheshire Record Office, Duke Street, Chester. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;">We hope you enjoy a bit of retail therapy on a talking tour full of memories of shops past - lets get started! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEnecMgjFHcLQlOAE9hW-_Ke3KjdNNDjZCtE89U7k4bwdvnZsecoNDqltfw-gXtTQTpnImS0aHQlJ1PgRm8k_NzvGgkv0XizeR9ACim6-n38EO1RS_BOS_ciQ5Ntykzx8FJCuj0sEPz5syK9jGDIj19S4GYVBJHJOEFDXnJ0xSJ0X5LXWTE_h_ix42Q/s1832/Talking%20tour%20map%202022%20high%20res.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="1832" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEnecMgjFHcLQlOAE9hW-_Ke3KjdNNDjZCtE89U7k4bwdvnZsecoNDqltfw-gXtTQTpnImS0aHQlJ1PgRm8k_NzvGgkv0XizeR9ACim6-n38EO1RS_BOS_ciQ5Ntykzx8FJCuj0sEPz5syK9jGDIj19S4GYVBJHJOEFDXnJ0xSJ0X5LXWTE_h_ix42Q/w400-h286/Talking%20tour%20map%202022%20high%20res.tif" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;">1:<span> </span>Welcome to Cheshire Archives & Local Studies where this
converted warehouse holds miles of shelving full of records that document
almost 1000 years of Cheshire life. Some of these records are oral histories
recorded on cassettes, and tape cannot be trusted to survive for decades.
Without the National Lottery Heritage Fund project run by British Library and
the expertise at the north west hub at Archives+ in Manchester the voices on
our talking tour would have been lost. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1069757335&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe></p><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/cheshire-record-office" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Record Office">Cheshire Record Office</a></div><div><br /></div>
2:<span> </span>Setting the scene – Brook Street: A schoolgirl in the
1920s, whose route to school took her along Brook Street and Frodsham Street, with
vivid memories of the sights and smells of shops at Christmas – but look out
for the cows! She also remembers cows being driven from the cattle market where
the bus station is now along Brook Street and Hoole Bridge to the railway
sidings on Lightfoot Street. <o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1069757335&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/cheshire-record-office" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Record Office">Cheshire Record Office</a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">3:<span> </span>Frodsham Street: ‘Two things couldn’t pass at the same
time’ – much like today – chemists, shoe shops and bookshops – how much is that
doggy in the window? <o:p></o:p></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1287163327%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-YKfWHQdlt0p&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/setting-the-scene-brook-street/s-YKfWHQdlt0p" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Setting the scene – Brook Street">Setting the scene – Brook Street</a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">4:<span> </span>Foregate Street: Hear all about ‘Porky Pie Duttons’ where
Marks and Spencers is now – with a sweet factory in the back!<o:p></o:p></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1287165850%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-iOddQ50R1le&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/duttons-foregate-street/s-iOddQ50R1le" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Duttons, Foregate Street">Duttons, Foregate Street</a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">5:<span> </span>Eastgate Street and Eastgate Row: We now find ourselves
in the heart of Chester’s shopping experience for over 200 years. Hear first
how Browns, Bollands and Phillipson and Golder jostle for position – and then
more details about what would have greeted you at each shop. <o:p></o:p></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1287195508%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-pHsgd2xVVVy&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/browns-expansion-in-the-early-20th-century/s-pHsgd2xVVVy" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Expansion of Browns in the early 20th century">Expansion of Browns in the early 20th century</a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">6: <span> </span>Browns first...<o:p></o:p></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1287195694%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-aeGXxCceyQE&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/browns-reactions-of-existing-customers-to-expansion-of-the-firm/s-aeGXxCceyQE" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Reactions of existing customers to the expansion of Browns">Reactions of existing customers to the expansion of Browns</a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">7:<span> </span>…and then Bollands...</p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1287190438%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-zYY2S0wnPpQ&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/bollands-window-displays-wedding-cakes/s-zYY2S0wnPpQ" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Bollands Window Displays & Wedding Cakes">Bollands Window Displays & Wedding Cakes</a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">8:<span> </span>…and the curious figures from Venice that promoted the
stationer and bookseller Phillipson and Golder. <o:p></o:p></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1287191509%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-BbZ1DozgMv6&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/phillipson-golder/s-BbZ1DozgMv6" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Phillipson & Golder">Phillipson & Golder</a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">9. <span> </span>Can you imagine taking a seat when you enter a shop and
items being brought to you – or even brought to you sitting in your car
outside. Welcome to the world of Minshull and Meeson.<o:p></o:p></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1287191014%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-Yao0njiIjTe&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/minshull-meesons/s-Yao0njiIjTe" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Minshull & Meeson">Minshull & Meeson</a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">10:<span> </span>What would Browns customers or Mr Minshull and Mr Meeson
have thought when F W Woolworth moved in across the street where Next is now?
There is no ‘shopwalker’ and browsing is encouraged – and plastic goods arrive.
And Woolworths expanded throughout the twentieth century filling the space
between Eastgate Street and St Werbergh’s Street which leads us to the Old
Market.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1288623100&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/woolworths" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Woolworths">Woolworths</a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">11:<span> </span>Chester is about to open a new market replacing the new
market mentioned here. But it is the old market that is brought to life – the china
seller who smashes the items he doesn’t sell to the crowd entertain this young
lad!<o:p></o:p></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1287189982%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-jvGAUfrT7MK&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Cheshire Archives & Local Studies">Cheshire Archives & Local Studies</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-578912062-844557951/old-chester-market/s-jvGAUfrT7MK" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Old Chester Market">Old Chester Market</a></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-47026332357842898312022-05-25T14:00:00.000+01:002022-05-31T08:43:21.743+01:00The Platinum Jubilee<span style="font-family: arial;">This year’s Jubilee is a moment in time that is unique. As a once in a lifetime occurrence many people will want to mark this Platinum Jubilee, an event that will feature in the history books. The Jubilee celebrates 70 years on the throne fo</span><span style="font-family: arial;">r Queen Elizabeth II, no other British Monarch has reached this milestone. Let us travel back in time and see where it all began.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over 70 years ago, on 6th February 1952 King George VI passed away peacefully in his sleep. ‘The King is dead, long live the Queen’, as the line of succession is never broken, his 25 year old daughter Princess Elizabeth suddenly became Queen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKKhtnb1a3HJD-9Y62JhxnufeQgnTidc2MQKncSzsJdD7ZKHgTOyM_PPRBYoxSxg4XjykbxWw1kTjS8kSn09N27neXxdnw3HgORa-IZRK5yvDMsfxcUNd7X0qQ5bOuivTd3QCmCNHR4UzK3Qr8ZGnJOsHpSwgqG0CoCsQQstgy7bu6CWaRuhUQtsGwg/s5287/CL_HO_36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5287" data-original-width="3915" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKKhtnb1a3HJD-9Y62JhxnufeQgnTidc2MQKncSzsJdD7ZKHgTOyM_PPRBYoxSxg4XjykbxWw1kTjS8kSn09N27neXxdnw3HgORa-IZRK5yvDMsfxcUNd7X0qQ5bOuivTd3QCmCNHR4UzK3Qr8ZGnJOsHpSwgqG0CoCsQQstgy7bu6CWaRuhUQtsGwg/w237-h320/CL_HO_36.JPG" title="Proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II (ref: 226499)" width="237" /></a></div><br />On Saturday 10th February, the Proclamation of Accession was read out in the Town Hall Square by the Mayor of Chester, a Guard of Honour was supplied by the Cheshire Regiment who were mounted on the Town Hall steps. After the proclamation, the military band played “God Save the Queen” and the ceremony was brought to an end.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja68iidleVw6e2ghtvbMeA82pmeM1xZhEOueAI39Cr6aSjLjTCMFTKFUqPciIzUGXftscoKnCXPZnBYnM3CEd_drZUufNcRA7yC3f9o4lWi3v-QgKHXx-olD1eMWQUiPOkUyuv7j0bO2d3KTZejUYqFkj6Bp959qht7WPGQp9EV_6RT_t8uytPhk9oGA/s4461/CL_HO_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2863" data-original-width="4461" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja68iidleVw6e2ghtvbMeA82pmeM1xZhEOueAI39Cr6aSjLjTCMFTKFUqPciIzUGXftscoKnCXPZnBYnM3CEd_drZUufNcRA7yC3f9o4lWi3v-QgKHXx-olD1eMWQUiPOkUyuv7j0bO2d3KTZejUYqFkj6Bp959qht7WPGQp9EV_6RT_t8uytPhk9oGA/w320-h205/CL_HO_1.JPG" title="Proclamation of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth II (ref: 226508)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Reports from the newspaper suggest several thousand people were there to witness the proclamation and the mayor ‘led the townspeople in three rousing cheers for her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">But it wasn’t until the following year, after a traditional period of mourning, that the Queen was crowned in Westminster Abbey on 2nd June 1953. The Coronation ushered in a new period in Britain’s history, following on from her marriage to Prince Phillip in 1947, it gave the public a chance to celebrate moving forward from the dark days of the Second World War to a new era. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PpcJ9Xb54HgD1OFG-oQW7Vq8PT-1bk_kBuWEXXUtXzymaa-kcDjH42JVt5U8vTzI6ZtQp4DnF626Kz6guQ-xIeYuplZRrSObx1TmxD_a1NhI_n55J9jPUqhEa-zw5oJRmP_xCQDMTNMbyiAJq-BTy8WUd9s5f9nQNT8BVeMALaYv-nQMF0obyS2-FQ/s3781/213631.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3781" data-original-width="2730" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PpcJ9Xb54HgD1OFG-oQW7Vq8PT-1bk_kBuWEXXUtXzymaa-kcDjH42JVt5U8vTzI6ZtQp4DnF626Kz6guQ-xIeYuplZRrSObx1TmxD_a1NhI_n55J9jPUqhEa-zw5oJRmP_xCQDMTNMbyiAJq-BTy8WUd9s5f9nQNT8BVeMALaYv-nQMF0obyS2-FQ/w144-h200/213631.JPG" title="Parish of Poulton-with-Fearnhead Coronation Souvenir, June 2nd, 1953 (ref: 213631)" width="144" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoVXNQOojefTNLDJyEogjyt7_hPDa9GEFmam1kvputfEhz7fG27RQe-l_XnE4f6cU5rGdmD2OTUnLTUipRHEXuua8nl_c5BfG01cBFIdP7T9PlVikRvJuRy6xfID8emjKkjR1QQqSH7qiHLa9pl7kT_E-gpBJimE2hwxnEGx5masBt8JtCuPvfkpM0Q/s3734/220360.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3734" data-original-width="2316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoVXNQOojefTNLDJyEogjyt7_hPDa9GEFmam1kvputfEhz7fG27RQe-l_XnE4f6cU5rGdmD2OTUnLTUipRHEXuua8nl_c5BfG01cBFIdP7T9PlVikRvJuRy6xfID8emjKkjR1QQqSH7qiHLa9pl7kT_E-gpBJimE2hwxnEGx5masBt8JtCuPvfkpM0Q/w124-h200/220360.JPG" title="Alderley Edge: Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, June 2nd 1953. Souvenir Handbook (ref: 220360)" width="124" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy2nJ6ZCRqBE0UoJjUnHTwfoMqMkqkF769S9T_Ve52f-a6AUmac1GtQax-LNLuV8l-FAm-U3JrLwfIcq7xftQNAB7k8X8Xc7gDMMBxfE_zv3XaOIo5Iljo8mUStzD_DcrJ9nziGAUmcCZRp0bHOCxtLLbJmNFJMcbkn-De0HC58uRsYfYveo86EkhZg/s4371/209881.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4371" data-original-width="3120" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy2nJ6ZCRqBE0UoJjUnHTwfoMqMkqkF769S9T_Ve52f-a6AUmac1GtQax-LNLuV8l-FAm-U3JrLwfIcq7xftQNAB7k8X8Xc7gDMMBxfE_zv3XaOIo5Iljo8mUStzD_DcrJ9nziGAUmcCZRp0bHOCxtLLbJmNFJMcbkn-De0HC58uRsYfYveo86EkhZg/w143-h200/209881.JPG" title="Coronation celebrations 1953: Widnes Schools Pageant at the Wade Grammar School (ref: 209881)" width="143" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Coronation was celebrated around the county and many places produced souvenir booklets and special events for the residents to enjoy. Similar to the Platinum Jubilee this year taking place over 4 days, the Coronation celebrations took place over a week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UXC1Rd9Y40xWCSyL9A22-LdpDYUMmZdBtTFcAH0QV9qk9IF2vzkhIFM9gvnoDWZ0pg9ny80GCT2_L32hjM_0RNfH9ZYiWR0HppXbB5Skaq0hSDbZESTwCQePOCLvvdw8nA36Tz15vT2jLYm8KghTb4L2cVN2R_ufWEH3I4cyw19WBc8hg9jK8gs6Yw/s5433/205562a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3668" data-original-width="5433" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UXC1Rd9Y40xWCSyL9A22-LdpDYUMmZdBtTFcAH0QV9qk9IF2vzkhIFM9gvnoDWZ0pg9ny80GCT2_L32hjM_0RNfH9ZYiWR0HppXbB5Skaq0hSDbZESTwCQePOCLvvdw8nA36Tz15vT2jLYm8KghTb4L2cVN2R_ufWEH3I4cyw19WBc8hg9jK8gs6Yw/w320-h216/205562a.JPG" title="Crewe Borough Council: A Souvenir of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2nd June 1953 (ref: 205562)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Some parishes even ran special competitions for the best garden and the best decorated house, issuing certificates for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed houses.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiJq-e0D0wFbklLO2ThhaRd0btxFdzvkOdlHzM44kG_l4QR-3tGB4Du2PsR41ALTvqt5w6teFkutaO75uwQRixAQSac_H9zAe0GWDqjt-3yJumuEtUdgciqrlegUGcOS4dpEWpU3SZgMe1-30s73MN852PG3DtkgBXT10Ft80YHZjp5fWFcCBDB_FPQ/s3247/LUS_21_5w.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3247" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiJq-e0D0wFbklLO2ThhaRd0btxFdzvkOdlHzM44kG_l4QR-3tGB4Du2PsR41ALTvqt5w6teFkutaO75uwQRixAQSac_H9zAe0GWDqjt-3yJumuEtUdgciqrlegUGcOS4dpEWpU3SZgMe1-30s73MN852PG3DtkgBXT10Ft80YHZjp5fWFcCBDB_FPQ/w200-h169/LUS_21_5w.JPG" title="Sandbach Urban District Council: Coronation of Elizabeth II (ref: LUS 21/5)" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JAaUx35pEf31Elb6sNwDfLvq3vMJsWAySz37bm7n8dwgCzpN9_sR4-ITxqYQpxrLg9hGYJ50A55uwEaE5q41fSSsu1Mhry1YIYK-BTYl8uMdoUcGtNDahq63JSGDw_1PWQISlN9w0s-6eWIxwOeUYDw4EzFZDbZAvHfmybAMGLwOmAhgtv6tIJD4UA/s3260/LUS_21_5x.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3260" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JAaUx35pEf31Elb6sNwDfLvq3vMJsWAySz37bm7n8dwgCzpN9_sR4-ITxqYQpxrLg9hGYJ50A55uwEaE5q41fSSsu1Mhry1YIYK-BTYl8uMdoUcGtNDahq63JSGDw_1PWQISlN9w0s-6eWIxwOeUYDw4EzFZDbZAvHfmybAMGLwOmAhgtv6tIJD4UA/w200-h168/LUS_21_5x.JPG" title="Sandbach Urban District Council: Coronation of Elizabeth II (ref: LUS 21/5)" width="200" /></a></div><br />Children received a gift to celebrate the Coronation, depending on the age of the child these ranged from mugs and sweets to chocolate and propelling pencils. But it wasn’t only the children that received gifts, senior citizens were also included with many receiving a commemorative tea caddy filled with ½ lb of tea.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg996qHg-0v2-qV5iOY2rrecBYYrSwdbidEKm48G_vXVKbDm9QimvHjDYqL_XToLRLjrebKkyr9AtWZrLI1yQLTUHGbHxZRaSWyBrWni6aVYkvVJPe56X5xV5vp7RhiA_PLn-nXTHeMqGTmYsMWle35UzmxZ3i2wM-WSlxsicZUsIoiQRyxDIGA7Ht9CQ/s5635/PC105_9243_27_c.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5635" data-original-width="3486" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg996qHg-0v2-qV5iOY2rrecBYYrSwdbidEKm48G_vXVKbDm9QimvHjDYqL_XToLRLjrebKkyr9AtWZrLI1yQLTUHGbHxZRaSWyBrWni6aVYkvVJPe56X5xV5vp7RhiA_PLn-nXTHeMqGTmYsMWle35UzmxZ3i2wM-WSlxsicZUsIoiQRyxDIGA7Ht9CQ/w124-h200/PC105_9243_27_c.JPG" title="Hartford Parish Council: Coronation Joint Committee minutes and correspondence (ref: PC 105/9243/27)" width="124" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BtLP_BXQocAg5pN7l97b3Dfvn99DH56Zb6sd_cBOx6cDhuok1cw76--R6pbfiKKod7aaT2F99GtnnRUOm3cdfGeEj8riZajft3h2uvEFnGmHICUxLDcztF90tm0VprCVnKwsUhwy1fQ_aJCMcdF5uQTTq0icESdvxMu4mO7uuoGlvKV0uO7kaNBc-w/s4205/LUS_21_5m.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3094" data-original-width="4205" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BtLP_BXQocAg5pN7l97b3Dfvn99DH56Zb6sd_cBOx6cDhuok1cw76--R6pbfiKKod7aaT2F99GtnnRUOm3cdfGeEj8riZajft3h2uvEFnGmHICUxLDcztF90tm0VprCVnKwsUhwy1fQ_aJCMcdF5uQTTq0icESdvxMu4mO7uuoGlvKV0uO7kaNBc-w/w320-h235/LUS_21_5m.JPG" title="Sandbach Urban District Council: Coronation of Elizabeth II (ref: LUS 21/5)" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Queen has continued to celebrate milestones in her reign, in 1977 she celebrated her Silver Jubilee reigning for 25 years. Similar to the Coronation, events taking place in London were televised to the nation. The Jubilee was celebrated around the world and street parties were organised.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMd0_ID531cm-7fhb7J8gjJnFuWk6ORcei3h6QrFSP6pf4VlIXpaeZpKSmeNbeC6hDxg94UflB9tcgywdzNqqU9nHelTBbyWVaM5rjzezuCzlKeAI3A_GI3Q1loibHTcni8o04SGx4JhKt7bgCZLggIFnkRkxhZNoceLgM1O2ZUjisb4CwHvUSipCuIA/s2279/c01495.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="2279" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMd0_ID531cm-7fhb7J8gjJnFuWk6ORcei3h6QrFSP6pf4VlIXpaeZpKSmeNbeC6hDxg94UflB9tcgywdzNqqU9nHelTBbyWVaM5rjzezuCzlKeAI3A_GI3Q1loibHTcni8o04SGx4JhKt7bgCZLggIFnkRkxhZNoceLgM1O2ZUjisb4CwHvUSipCuIA/w320-h156/c01495.jpg" title="Wilmslow: Silver Jubilee Celebrations (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c01495)" width="320" /></a></div><br />In 2002, the Golden Jubilee was celebrated meaning the Queen had reigned for 50 years. The Jubilee commemorated the monarch’s reign but also celebrated her people and featured 6 key themes including ‘Celebration', 'Giving Thanks', 'Service', 'Involving the Whole Community', 'Looking Forward as Well as Back', and 'Commonwealth'. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary service was created for the Golden Jubilee and is still awarded every year for examples of outstanding voluntary work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbQN21JG84cPHi3tONpE_PtAxryeFhPro8tFFV8nDIV7MREmfQF0wllqcvq8ndDsI5euN9y9I6-WxfIGxD-kg1SHdqDE7aRjnpK_6J7EscNohSIJ7E0x1WqfjuMFrkMYgeZM6xwyNQ3kT1AlWTnmVq61bVB61PPjriJkYZIp1yGEqn2IYTgPZRJzWBQ/s4880/CCLi2_11a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4880" data-original-width="3529" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbQN21JG84cPHi3tONpE_PtAxryeFhPro8tFFV8nDIV7MREmfQF0wllqcvq8ndDsI5euN9y9I6-WxfIGxD-kg1SHdqDE7aRjnpK_6J7EscNohSIJ7E0x1WqfjuMFrkMYgeZM6xwyNQ3kT1AlWTnmVq61bVB61PPjriJkYZIp1yGEqn2IYTgPZRJzWBQ/w144-h200/CCLi2_11a.JPG" title="Cheshire County Council: file re Queen's Golden Jubilee awards, 2002-2003 (ref: CCLi/2/11)" width="144" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qRxHD8mosuboPOdZNp12vfBrNxBK6Gt1Uv7ZBuqtG2jtjwV5nI7oWPxJZfNnwX6FvUMNQActoxbRceT05sMhOEBl2o0B83MMx1aRT-4q1zrCrCjJ5Hj44JqRQsO6IVVk0IJMCpBLMlcDCp8v_RRDfxCc0kLPUzzQPVq9BgovWyTJ_CFFDTe4Fm_JAQ/s3593/CCLi_3_26a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3593" data-original-width="1770" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qRxHD8mosuboPOdZNp12vfBrNxBK6Gt1Uv7ZBuqtG2jtjwV5nI7oWPxJZfNnwX6FvUMNQActoxbRceT05sMhOEBl2o0B83MMx1aRT-4q1zrCrCjJ5Hj44JqRQsO6IVVk0IJMCpBLMlcDCp8v_RRDfxCc0kLPUzzQPVq9BgovWyTJ_CFFDTe4Fm_JAQ/w99-h200/CCLi_3_26a.JPG" width="99" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFHFCDtI4eEoN3R9D1D0pjcIssVksBTrKMIwWO10my7FlWLQwwOmX-8D153YcU1xXbsHzh2aqc9cMooxGEf8lN7yjCmFnC3HTMCGrJZF7tH1ALZtouhHZ_6pj_4iUGqjS2RAiqHkd2MUMAHOA0W6wlabOOjGZz3c6hI4J_QpzGdZ16mdI5HXg9zgk0w/s4730/CCLi2_11b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4730" data-original-width="3326" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFHFCDtI4eEoN3R9D1D0pjcIssVksBTrKMIwWO10my7FlWLQwwOmX-8D153YcU1xXbsHzh2aqc9cMooxGEf8lN7yjCmFnC3HTMCGrJZF7tH1ALZtouhHZ_6pj_4iUGqjS2RAiqHkd2MUMAHOA0W6wlabOOjGZz3c6hI4J_QpzGdZ16mdI5HXg9zgk0w/w141-h200/CCLi2_11b.JPG" title="Cheshire County Council: file re Queen's Golden Jubilee awards, 2002-2003 (ref: CCLi/2/11)" width="141" /></a></div><br />Fast forward another 10 years to 60 years on the throne and the Diamond Jubilee. Only once before has a monarch reached this milestone and that was the Queen’s Great-Great Grandmother, Queen Victoria, who celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2015 Queen Elizabeth became the longest ruling Britain Sovereign surpassing Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years. On 6th February 2017 Queen Elizabeth became the first British monarch to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee, which commemorated 65 years on the throne.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This year's Jubilee celebrations culminate in an extended Bank Holiday weekend when the nation can celebrate this historic milestone. Special beacons will be lit across the country as has been the tradition for the other Jubilees. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1HB64eIHOAwjEFaCTre-AhBXOtbUW6PKZaL-k-JjIrIebtNDZ5KIDzkI3s34MQjTgiXiTDvOeOm42BXHlGh-FPwQr5pmysBPb6iXeWCRsovY1SysgaZApyg8poJWUUBYILZYV6g9sU9VN2F5ezqVmLzWyx6o5pm8ZlFySunJHFRO5zghyK4tSdfAGw/s2642/FD04717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1870" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1HB64eIHOAwjEFaCTre-AhBXOtbUW6PKZaL-k-JjIrIebtNDZ5KIDzkI3s34MQjTgiXiTDvOeOm42BXHlGh-FPwQr5pmysBPb6iXeWCRsovY1SysgaZApyg8poJWUUBYILZYV6g9sU9VN2F5ezqVmLzWyx6o5pm8ZlFySunJHFRO5zghyK4tSdfAGw/w141-h200/FD04717.jpg" title="Frodsham: ER II. Coronation 1953. Celebration Bonfire on Beacon Hill (Cheshire Image Bank ref: FD04717)" width="141" /></a></div><br />So in years to come, what will you say when asked how did you celebrate this Platinum Jubilee? Who knows, your celebrations may end up in the archives for future generations to see.</span></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-49773807961671027542022-05-17T09:16:00.000+01:002022-05-17T09:16:48.176+01:00Spring has Sprung with Tunnicliffe<p><span style="font-family: arial;">The staff here at Cheshire Archives and Local Studies are enjoying
the change in seasons and have been getting out in their gardens, parks and green
spaces to connect with nature. To celebrate Spring we’ve turned to Cheshire’s most
famous wildlife artist, Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe, for inspiration.</span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>“Nature is lavish
with her riches for those who have eyes to see” </i></span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charles Tunnicliffe, “My
Country Book” (ref 112947).</span></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrGAmVFsxCGHP8U7EVgIPeo5RgbfYLW8-i2Ua70rPvIEMr0QqvsHcIOnKUwq68-pRO88_Wu1Af2WgGkb4STscE8eeYy6E8Kga9UAYJv4WUm7Vq_WwpazzHNMUWQWpWzXdVzYAMs1yN8ooZZ73tQEW7VbeAS-8hJbqn9L5kgLSbtV_mfQGj8OaSpfINA/s1681/Kingfisher.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1681" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrGAmVFsxCGHP8U7EVgIPeo5RgbfYLW8-i2Ua70rPvIEMr0QqvsHcIOnKUwq68-pRO88_Wu1Af2WgGkb4STscE8eeYy6E8Kga9UAYJv4WUm7Vq_WwpazzHNMUWQWpWzXdVzYAMs1yN8ooZZ73tQEW7VbeAS-8hJbqn9L5kgLSbtV_mfQGj8OaSpfINA/w400-h281/Kingfisher.jpg" title="Kingfisher, in 'Portrait of a Country Artist' by Ian Niall (ref: 203138)" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Born in Langley near Macclesfield in
1901, Charles grew up in nearby Sutton where he sketched animals on the walls
of the family farm buildings as a child. A local teacher spotted his natural
talent for drawing, and he attended the Macclesfield School of Art before
winning a scholarship to train at the Royal College of Art, London. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is a selection of his work.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tarka The Otter</span></span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tunnicliffe’s work was sought after
commercially but he became a household name after illustrating the popular book
</span><i style="font-family: arial;">Tarka the Otter</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> by Henry Williamson in 1932. He went on to illustrate
over 300 books during his lifetime and we are delighted to have many of them in
the Local Studies collection at Macclesfield Library.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDGzrdX8LgFMh38TiHrfBgdIc4kcyQoo50uVagF1ms4c_hQkFAVMsbxhPlocEKEprisKY7A4DUiCChcV0PYrvXYhBnkVgWekhKW1e_9CJY0vm9zyoaSNNjoKAfFA9AxsldvBfx5SdznHRIiLd7O9u3yxhmnIDUcI1zc-IvMaIzH2WfimF7M6ydBSr9g/s3410/Tarka%20The%20Otter_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3410" data-original-width="2332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDGzrdX8LgFMh38TiHrfBgdIc4kcyQoo50uVagF1ms4c_hQkFAVMsbxhPlocEKEprisKY7A4DUiCChcV0PYrvXYhBnkVgWekhKW1e_9CJY0vm9zyoaSNNjoKAfFA9AxsldvBfx5SdznHRIiLd7O9u3yxhmnIDUcI1zc-IvMaIzH2WfimF7M6ydBSr9g/w219-h320/Tarka%20The%20Otter_1.jpg" title="Cover of 'Tarka the Otter' by Henry Williamson (ref: 112994)" width="219" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuUGmdaQpxRHcLmz4fbHRRLRtBYd6qqRT6fI1bd7m-t3Vt7ezZPYFS7GBae2WKEtI8a2p4a3xpI08eDoa1bDyAKkHFfE-HCT8A-psQd3cOFMult2K1MJ0G_WhTdyMsNK8ubq05eT2tawXVXb9B-84ipbzqHaaTMCTYjLGDm6nv3FRpYQRfJwx8o5qrw/s2498/The%20Peregrine's%20Saga%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2498" data-original-width="1712" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuUGmdaQpxRHcLmz4fbHRRLRtBYd6qqRT6fI1bd7m-t3Vt7ezZPYFS7GBae2WKEtI8a2p4a3xpI08eDoa1bDyAKkHFfE-HCT8A-psQd3cOFMult2K1MJ0G_WhTdyMsNK8ubq05eT2tawXVXb9B-84ipbzqHaaTMCTYjLGDm6nv3FRpYQRfJwx8o5qrw/w219-h320/The%20Peregrine's%20Saga%20(1).jpg" title="Tunnicliffe illustration from 'The Peregrine's Saga' by Henry Williamson (ref: 113349)" width="219" /></a></div></div><br />Birds and the RSPB</span></span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tunnicliffe was captivated by wild
birds and he developed a scientific approach to sketching them, drawing from
life where possible. The RSPB commissioned Tunnicliffe to paint many
illustrations for their magazine and books, and in 1975 they awarded him a gold
medal for his services to bird protection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-2Zw7B3s-ipos8amsq3KunZxjTV7Llx6-7XEgoZwk1IEM3tVtj141cK2jKH5sdyLFq_29PMH9RuV8CO853mjveZGen4HPiWoSolJleHOfb6DSJFqPdirDhTfkQcHQrzqOvDqez3A0i9JfMrmjUM49N-tTSXtXmOI06353mAnncOXOsZk06C3LMttTg/s3524/Our_Bird_Book_11%20p.126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3524" data-original-width="2419" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-2Zw7B3s-ipos8amsq3KunZxjTV7Llx6-7XEgoZwk1IEM3tVtj141cK2jKH5sdyLFq_29PMH9RuV8CO853mjveZGen4HPiWoSolJleHOfb6DSJFqPdirDhTfkQcHQrzqOvDqez3A0i9JfMrmjUM49N-tTSXtXmOI06353mAnncOXOsZk06C3LMttTg/w221-h320/Our_Bird_Book_11%20p.126.JPG" title="Lapwing and Hedge Sparrow nests from 'Our Bird Book' (ref: 112948)" width="221" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR_rbBWG3kceGSbFALkBC8FigwSkS461SSW3FovyBAxfiqju6MCYWqU7HlTWqT0_TBtnzd9DNfg2j1KhrRo62huZq0uRtgasxfKouWm6iNm8slqoVoHi9xIHpAhNUIyStg6uphbufLu0Tz4JyHMB67t4yUMLcc2hsfzXYWEMwukfbqK-fb3UuAkQTCA/s2889/Great%20tits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2889" data-original-width="1866" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR_rbBWG3kceGSbFALkBC8FigwSkS461SSW3FovyBAxfiqju6MCYWqU7HlTWqT0_TBtnzd9DNfg2j1KhrRo62huZq0uRtgasxfKouWm6iNm8slqoVoHi9xIHpAhNUIyStg6uphbufLu0Tz4JyHMB67t4yUMLcc2hsfzXYWEMwukfbqK-fb3UuAkQTCA/w206-h320/Great%20tits.jpg" title="Great Tits in the 'RSPB Book of Garden Birds' (ref: 112961)" width="206" /></a></div></div><br /><br />Alison Uttley</span></span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The author Alison
Uttley began writing tales for children while living in Bowdon, Cheshire,
during the 1930s. She commissioned Tunnicliffe to illustrate 19 of her books,
amazed at his “imaginative way of entering my stories”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Fgu9Fg8Mk3WIDbtYY9r-bP4S8wea6D8hMqJSa6tAC1GKd2cDoZdG7Wj7GB-Yt2bck2EIye8ooLtN2fTV974v-Cpoe8n8J784d_w_xaDmYlZ-KnNU7V9jcf0mYExvcki4EooYDNSAEelu6sgosxJkXGDiySFH6fA5dDNVkk_tyOBxX0NPpmP0mXLjTA/s2824/The%20Country%20Child%20p..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2824" data-original-width="1796" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Fgu9Fg8Mk3WIDbtYY9r-bP4S8wea6D8hMqJSa6tAC1GKd2cDoZdG7Wj7GB-Yt2bck2EIye8ooLtN2fTV974v-Cpoe8n8J784d_w_xaDmYlZ-KnNU7V9jcf0mYExvcki4EooYDNSAEelu6sgosxJkXGDiySFH6fA5dDNVkk_tyOBxX0NPpmP0mXLjTA/w127-h200/The%20Country%20Child%20p..jpg" title="Lambs from 'The Country Child' (ref: 112982)" width="127" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPprkw79crPpzRkZFrz4dIOr_knhihciGvBSBIPb2j-ZO73o9ARLUTP1eglImhQkqFRED6xo7f7LRHNmk7i1pzvG3dyoxzlIw1m3Z7sxcNGzZqsHZYyhaC8UxTAnmWzJo4OgJ7FeJT-6v58xxvC3cg0w89n71MZA8uoeSrgPN0pK4eCdrbyly3dRM0g/s3695/Stack%20of%20Books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3695" data-original-width="3145" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPprkw79crPpzRkZFrz4dIOr_knhihciGvBSBIPb2j-ZO73o9ARLUTP1eglImhQkqFRED6xo7f7LRHNmk7i1pzvG3dyoxzlIw1m3Z7sxcNGzZqsHZYyhaC8UxTAnmWzJo4OgJ7FeJT-6v58xxvC3cg0w89n71MZA8uoeSrgPN0pK4eCdrbyly3dRM0g/w170-h200/Stack%20of%20Books.JPG" title="A selection of Alison Uttley books illustrated by Charles Tunnicliffe" width="170" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhNwQ_k311tFUBLwH3avstnmSJzvo2-6HybzuhkrL_wNjWRNmP5uXRzZAiwsvWnGzV22nInwIs21A-19250NfheEJk9YTrVkUUNeNoA8hY1vls-B94v5J_dKvDeHxjx4lPxQ7P01kQGf_y_KBxkmZTRevYN2Cfa6_FtGTe-GY5jS2HV3AQyXmCG-gXw/s2182/Something%20for%20Nothing_4%20crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="1842" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhNwQ_k311tFUBLwH3avstnmSJzvo2-6HybzuhkrL_wNjWRNmP5uXRzZAiwsvWnGzV22nInwIs21A-19250NfheEJk9YTrVkUUNeNoA8hY1vls-B94v5J_dKvDeHxjx4lPxQ7P01kQGf_y_KBxkmZTRevYN2Cfa6_FtGTe-GY5jS2HV3AQyXmCG-gXw/w169-h200/Something%20for%20Nothing_4%20crop.jpg" title="Fritillaries from 'Something for Nothing' by Allison Uttley (ref: 112987)" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Brooke
Bond Tea</span></span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From
1954 until 1999, packets of Brooke Bond tea included small coloured ‘picture
cards’ which were collected and traded by thousands of children and adults.
Tunnicliffe provided the illustrations for 7 sets of tea cards between 1957 and
1965 and they remain a favourite amongst collectors to this day.</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></span></p>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkFFnaGOKXBocQC1kNT-GZY_qSOY0jsenl5tZiAUW_XdMqC1Jsa9Eg-_uspaYpsLK395xcs73bsl4ZXMJsWk2sa7bO_hUyPgeJcweNPP4hLDPrHItZbyB1nt7k4pdQqkf_StmLQu9_RGxuiZXzvnTEsqJWJP87W5rTrz1VUUNPHRHdoxwD_rdbbJhVg/s3460/Wild%20Birds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2307" data-original-width="3460" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkFFnaGOKXBocQC1kNT-GZY_qSOY0jsenl5tZiAUW_XdMqC1Jsa9Eg-_uspaYpsLK395xcs73bsl4ZXMJsWk2sa7bO_hUyPgeJcweNPP4hLDPrHItZbyB1nt7k4pdQqkf_StmLQu9_RGxuiZXzvnTEsqJWJP87W5rTrz1VUUNPHRHdoxwD_rdbbJhVg/w200-h133/Wild%20Birds.JPG" title="Cover of 'Wild Birds in Britain' (ref: 112956)" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPTRpjObCqUc7fZQ66Z1-YVIO3HSxUI0YFOan8C-72vyfYemookb6vGjUBYG0GQ4M0QfVehhFiagwIpV3UN_dr8c7e9KLoxz6PSBAud9EMHygACovrSMlY2N19lWvX9-UlmEHrJyaBvTerZn6Bn2Hg07G0FgBC5epO3eftohhGA6MZm7E1113DNY1Ew/s2070/Tea_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="2070" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPTRpjObCqUc7fZQ66Z1-YVIO3HSxUI0YFOan8C-72vyfYemookb6vGjUBYG0GQ4M0QfVehhFiagwIpV3UN_dr8c7e9KLoxz6PSBAud9EMHygACovrSMlY2N19lWvX9-UlmEHrJyaBvTerZn6Bn2Hg07G0FgBC5epO3eftohhGA6MZm7E1113DNY1Ew/w200-h94/Tea_2.jpg" title="A packet of Brooke Bond tea from 1973" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div>Ladybird Books</span></span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tunnicliffe was asked to provide illustrations
for the publisher Ladybird in a series called ’What to Look For In…’ about the
seasons. They were “so instructive and educational that grown-ups read them
with as much delight as their children”. He also illustrated a ‘Ladybird
Learning to Read Book’ that was heavily used in British primary schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><h4 style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLFw9kGRGuBtIEUEJwgVytGdSsBqJBwxqJUjomes8b5ZDlfn9bu-PkdJi28RLgV4LGOnOhXyQkQLCbrHd10xqDLHx4D7Wb4NiM6b6JjAm5BgDxGwzjPxgwfk-x_WrkWW1C6tXdKLBGb8Mgn2yyOXHqwK0UlbbsCdmRZXZGlYtaLDSHYjOU8uAwMVx3Q/s1654/The%20farm%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1654" data-original-width="1057" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLFw9kGRGuBtIEUEJwgVytGdSsBqJBwxqJUjomes8b5ZDlfn9bu-PkdJi28RLgV4LGOnOhXyQkQLCbrHd10xqDLHx4D7Wb4NiM6b6JjAm5BgDxGwzjPxgwfk-x_WrkWW1C6tXdKLBGb8Mgn2yyOXHqwK0UlbbsCdmRZXZGlYtaLDSHYjOU8uAwMVx3Q/w203-h320/The%20farm%20cover.jpg" title="Cover of 'The Farm' (ref: 113006)" width="203" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbSunuGiaqkWQuvOODLyiuUl7t_4het-2pto0MNzGBTyBgSj9jwG7o5haZpbKijNogvTkDQ6ZjAiLB1BbmgcbjuJhc1hNqKkYKQD2RdmgTyiONYvgaYymhr3Q979HNHyiAJ4SRjyJPZBrcUCaDQLzh8i5bYSUIjTx3P8KGsIR-_tVIf0Qv0EmxMgD5w/s2606/113003%20p.39%20crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2606" data-original-width="1607" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbSunuGiaqkWQuvOODLyiuUl7t_4het-2pto0MNzGBTyBgSj9jwG7o5haZpbKijNogvTkDQ6ZjAiLB1BbmgcbjuJhc1hNqKkYKQD2RdmgTyiONYvgaYymhr3Q979HNHyiAJ4SRjyJPZBrcUCaDQLzh8i5bYSUIjTx3P8KGsIR-_tVIf0Qv0EmxMgD5w/w197-h320/113003%20p.39%20crop.jpg" title="Illustration from 'What to look for in Spring' (ref: 113003)" width="197" /></a></div></div><br /><br />Nomad</span></span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Norman F Ellison started
radio broadcasting in the BBC’s Northern Children’s Hour in 1945 with a
programme called ’Wandering with Nomad’. It was a hugely popular show and ran
for seventeen years. He wrote six adventure stories as ‘Nomad’, for which
Tunnicliffe provided the illustrations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_GYi9N2B8xBttdzOMbiW6_ccOItE31Gd5RNFoMSZ6wMNiQpGba3JJxyWOIc4lAjFLDmF08eDQESZ4BqAo2Zn8r45gDYR7av0kAmdsQmCn-j8EArYREVdLFUvmgiGC-dKiBDt5hktHCa3nSjlMm9S4rCjdN5uDjoe29a_wK8yKMbdGrnOLUzeZwvx_w/s1823/hedgehog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="1823" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_GYi9N2B8xBttdzOMbiW6_ccOItE31Gd5RNFoMSZ6wMNiQpGba3JJxyWOIc4lAjFLDmF08eDQESZ4BqAo2Zn8r45gDYR7av0kAmdsQmCn-j8EArYREVdLFUvmgiGC-dKiBDt5hktHCa3nSjlMm9S4rCjdN5uDjoe29a_wK8yKMbdGrnOLUzeZwvx_w/w200-h139/hedgehog.jpg" title="Hedgehog from 'Out of Doors with Nomad' by Norman Ellison (ref: 113351)" width="200" /></a> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinh_yhCGHi1oWp9tAtH6GKqR6CdEXxs8VJAPd7prNFm9ZO8TsuJ9SqNGvY3c6YbhT-BD_bF15ZHtdh-u4gSQUCcE_sN0vl7_oBxI7nRaZUsOzIHIa3DsvgLReQPzoxnVFY2tFJYmmru9Z-D0XhTH8o_2_5FpUD_IWKEOOZK_InuhYeoGykLJAAgQtaJw/s1827/123694%20p91.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1827" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinh_yhCGHi1oWp9tAtH6GKqR6CdEXxs8VJAPd7prNFm9ZO8TsuJ9SqNGvY3c6YbhT-BD_bF15ZHtdh-u4gSQUCcE_sN0vl7_oBxI7nRaZUsOzIHIa3DsvgLReQPzoxnVFY2tFJYmmru9Z-D0XhTH8o_2_5FpUD_IWKEOOZK_InuhYeoGykLJAAgQtaJw/w200-h134/123694%20p91.JPG" title="Butterflies from 'Adventuring with Nomad' by Norman Ellison (ref: 123694)" width="200" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Although Tunnicliffe made Anglesey
his home until his death in 1979, his artistic output was inextricably linked
to the Cheshire landscape and wildlife of his childhood and early career. These
places may have changed over time, but for all the outdoor and nature
enthusiasts amongst us, our local environment continues to inspire and create
wonder.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p></div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-49535488613904325042022-05-05T10:33:00.006+01:002022-05-05T10:47:17.783+01:00Making the Crossing: The Chester to Holyhead Railway <span style="font-family: arial;"><i>We continue the story of Cheshire’s railways with one of its most important lines. 175 years ago, this railway was the site of an early and tragic rail disaster. Part 1, </i>All Change at Crewe! <i>is available <a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/04/all-change-at-crewe.html" target="_blank">here.</a></i></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The early to mid-1840s saw Britain in the grip of ‘railway mania’. Low costs, speed and convenience made rail travel very popular - and lucrative. New railways for passenger and freight lines were quickly developed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">At that time the only communication links between London and Ireland were by horse-drawn coach or by sea. Both routes were made long and difficult by poor roads and harbour facilities. A railway that would take government mail dispatches more quickly to Ireland was well-supported in Parliament and the Chester and Holyhead railway was authorised in July 1844.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">George Stephenson surveyed the route, which would extend the Chester to Crewe line along the North Wales coast. His son Robert Stephenson was the engineer, with Francis Thompson the architect and Thomas Brassey the contractor.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnNqfTZHw3w8nym3wZUT7xeglAp0_Tgc4G9kn_DweI6XqiQX_q3qQGavEiiYx7g_eugzzGtmoJ-AsZvVVOWsIvaF462KwEjewIV1Sl2oUHqhsaLbyeYpzJfzpwQVFabFNaAj_L3zFxUw0UtExEQxY4XU37OZkQIyVLt89UCEp9382aFp0Gyv7gQMYGA/s4757/QDP_176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3514" data-original-width="4757" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnNqfTZHw3w8nym3wZUT7xeglAp0_Tgc4G9kn_DweI6XqiQX_q3qQGavEiiYx7g_eugzzGtmoJ-AsZvVVOWsIvaF462KwEjewIV1Sl2oUHqhsaLbyeYpzJfzpwQVFabFNaAj_L3zFxUw0UtExEQxY4XU37OZkQIyVLt89UCEp9382aFp0Gyv7gQMYGA/w320-h236/QDP_176.JPG" title="Plans of the Chester and Holyhead Railway with names of engineers, 29 November 1843 (ref: QDP 176)" width="320" /></a></div><br />Building the railway was both challenging and extremely expensive. It required bridges over the River Dee, the River Conwy, and the Menai Strait at Anglesey. Progress on the railway was slow but the first section, between Chester and Saltney, opened in November 1846. It included a 250 ft long cast iron and stone bridge, designed by Robert Stephenson, that crossed the River Dee near to the Roodee. The bridge was opened with great ceremony. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHvb4NLFIHj2X-Or0DCtOr-zdxeRuRVzOBA8FVKHpymJAPZWXZxcE_FULcul9qYAatK-T41guQOzZkdaHpHqBz-FiCUt-6Mq-DclbLefOQlbcZPT0rHwI_TOkQfkGpQWncrCpnAGwrcSONorMBFZiuuAs80h4Wf175XXG6658OhjMrceIo86F5UaLhw/s5806/229274.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2034" data-original-width="5806" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHvb4NLFIHj2X-Or0DCtOr-zdxeRuRVzOBA8FVKHpymJAPZWXZxcE_FULcul9qYAatK-T41guQOzZkdaHpHqBz-FiCUt-6Mq-DclbLefOQlbcZPT0rHwI_TOkQfkGpQWncrCpnAGwrcSONorMBFZiuuAs80h4Wf175XXG6658OhjMrceIo86F5UaLhw/w320-h112/229274.jpg" title="Bridge over River Dee (ref: 229274)" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDz7tnIsJ80KG10kxP5W2Tav_TraQNNOQWTUpPt7TwiQITBqICMSFe0dFhl3J7DuzC0egeR65qzs7QAlJcZO1OWy98stqfbKlYhf5NaLIi9FZkgKNXWlT1mLUnJGNqD3L_diJp25TLIsOyZOC0FjU1mvnxxlp2_9CglVtcVXFXZmIPHXGeARaD6kcEA/s3446/ZQRP_32_6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="3446" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDz7tnIsJ80KG10kxP5W2Tav_TraQNNOQWTUpPt7TwiQITBqICMSFe0dFhl3J7DuzC0egeR65qzs7QAlJcZO1OWy98stqfbKlYhf5NaLIi9FZkgKNXWlT1mLUnJGNqD3L_diJp25TLIsOyZOC0FjU1mvnxxlp2_9CglVtcVXFXZmIPHXGeARaD6kcEA/w200-h155/ZQRP_32_6.jpg" title="Chester and Holyhead Railway plan, section showing Dee Viaduct (ref: ZQRP/32/6)" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">But just six months later, on 24th May 1847, disaster struck. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">As a passenger train was crossing, the final span of the bridge collapsed. James Clayton, the driver, managed to get the 30-ton locomotive and its tender onto the far bank, but all four carriages and the guard’s van fell over 30 feet to the river below. Of the twenty-five people on board, five (the fireman and four passengers) </span><span style="font-family: arial;">were killed</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">and fourteen were injured. Both local and national newspapers reported on the shocking and sensational incident.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dws5n7YVJ8h7sb6o2GR8lPpSWmNqZPM368tmLqY79VUBUakI2wL8IopXFpigxYMmHiR65fJ6TxDaa7gd9Q6suQy1jD4YxrIKOr3q7D0FlOKchpNdjOPEKVUOIGG3mMtD0hSF2716b3t9YirFvvdHcCR9ZKBu7-XCwXs1D9Ml9TochY-DdgF2L__HHA/s4565/D7620_1.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="4565" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dws5n7YVJ8h7sb6o2GR8lPpSWmNqZPM368tmLqY79VUBUakI2wL8IopXFpigxYMmHiR65fJ6TxDaa7gd9Q6suQy1jD4YxrIKOr3q7D0FlOKchpNdjOPEKVUOIGG3mMtD0hSF2716b3t9YirFvvdHcCR9ZKBu7-XCwXs1D9Ml9TochY-DdgF2L__HHA/w200-h152/D7620_1.JPG" title="Chester & Holyhead Railway Bridge Accident, copper plate engraving, 1847 (ref: D 7620/1)" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22sXQpGywNdIm-Ba6B3Q5O1YEYUmaR6PdsgRDChEdmYI-bOrBxpBT1Mq-brH2JQDPt3qRf5Vp40EVZMBt9eCTQUJ_0BJ2peiOSgGbTugB_XeJXIxiRt9lINzYjWri9bJUQEQ4hdx7x8xONMJ59kTIjYpnCe8r6eaEYkc2EQ-qZ0G1B90vPdwXbwMNUQ/s778/Chester%20Courant%2026%20May%201847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="386" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22sXQpGywNdIm-Ba6B3Q5O1YEYUmaR6PdsgRDChEdmYI-bOrBxpBT1Mq-brH2JQDPt3qRf5Vp40EVZMBt9eCTQUJ_0BJ2peiOSgGbTugB_XeJXIxiRt9lINzYjWri9bJUQEQ4hdx7x8xONMJ59kTIjYpnCe8r6eaEYkc2EQ-qZ0G1B90vPdwXbwMNUQ/w99-h200/Chester%20Courant%2026%20May%201847.jpg" title="Chester Courant, Wednesday 26 May 1847" width="99" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTIWr4z8VGD3eTC7mjLXErzi-NWwZosMusgVKKmTtHpcYlkLcy_BArXPCEH0u-NB0Abn180JXt41vxEJgBr1dQ37G94X9TRqfSRoMU-eRuiTXAsHoLGdIYF5s-McwoXji7bBZVSzCvRRwpH-AxCJ412TebmgG1JXXjkeL3Eq-xI3Y8Du-Y8pl_T75-g/s3575/CLR_W_6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3575" data-original-width="3043" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTIWr4z8VGD3eTC7mjLXErzi-NWwZosMusgVKKmTtHpcYlkLcy_BArXPCEH0u-NB0Abn180JXt41vxEJgBr1dQ37G94X9TRqfSRoMU-eRuiTXAsHoLGdIYF5s-McwoXji7bBZVSzCvRRwpH-AxCJ412TebmgG1JXXjkeL3Eq-xI3Y8Du-Y8pl_T75-g/w170-h200/CLR_W_6.JPG" title="Railway Accident at Chester, 1847 (ref: 226136)" width="170" /></a></div></div><br />Robert Stephenson was criticised for the bridge’s failure, threatening his reputation. An inquest was held in Chester and witnesses testified to seeing a fracture appear in the cast iron girders before the collapse.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzrQrRdrF0spOiP7hqHEd13Gq0JX4H-Fe3ylNwo3ExmQSa2tDDxYNlcWObBKyKSe3qpcNVIu65UI2UbN-tPkv0ebDgAvKgM3oUz8vYbhnF0mI_uG6DgNikg154AYsdGhpic1kh0-1zNcIRQprKNoelay6xOAtE_tCgOIyD7VE-YitcVunwaYDEbrLlQ/s1684/D_4587_18.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="821" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzrQrRdrF0spOiP7hqHEd13Gq0JX4H-Fe3ylNwo3ExmQSa2tDDxYNlcWObBKyKSe3qpcNVIu65UI2UbN-tPkv0ebDgAvKgM3oUz8vYbhnF0mI_uG6DgNikg154AYsdGhpic1kh0-1zNcIRQprKNoelay6xOAtE_tCgOIyD7VE-YitcVunwaYDEbrLlQ/w98-h200/D_4587_18.jpg" title="River Dee Railway Bridge Accident: Newspaper cutting relating to the inquest in Chester (ref: D 4587/18)" width="98" /></a></div>Newspapers followed the case closely. After two weeks it was found that no one person was to blame, however the jury expressed concern about the use of ‘so brittle and treacherous a material as cast iron’.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Following the disaster, Robert Stephenson used only wrought iron on his railway bridges, including the Conwy Railway Bridge and the Britannia Bridge over the Menai Strait. Both were impressive engineering feats, particularly the Britannia Bridge at over 1500 feet long and standing over 100 feet above the water. On 5th March 1850, Stephenson himself laid the last rivet on the bridge and drove a test train across it, marking the completion of the Chester to Holyhead Railway.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV-KimWlGVlTb8je7dva6wY8R1-iKhAcYvA8byBXtjO788GqjY4n65aUb82NsPGCi_OYZyaedC9-3-peA_k2_A9a15ihwa4MXEJ1ehH7TiNrOAQlVVL6FL9lzLKoARd1sUUMWnb4I4cmMct_UYFtBMIJNw00bBF38iCyl47E1p2cjnO_zWwa2vUYv4Q/s1587/200574.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1587" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV-KimWlGVlTb8je7dva6wY8R1-iKhAcYvA8byBXtjO788GqjY4n65aUb82NsPGCi_OYZyaedC9-3-peA_k2_A9a15ihwa4MXEJ1ehH7TiNrOAQlVVL6FL9lzLKoARd1sUUMWnb4I4cmMct_UYFtBMIJNw00bBF38iCyl47E1p2cjnO_zWwa2vUYv4Q/w320-h138/200574.jpg" title="The Britannia Tubular Bridge (ref: 200574)" width="320" /></a></div><br />The railway had a major impact on the city of Chester as a regional centre. The original Chester railway stations on Brook Street were little more than wooden shacks and converted houses. To cope with the growing traffic, the Chester and Holyhead and other rail companies agreed to build a new larger station. It was designed by Francis Thompson and built by Thomas Brassey. The station opened on 1st August 1848 to the acclaim of the local population.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5svTa4i_5JXVIxKd7NN3mrPlMHNK-MBGWONEy6dmt-fOWf0sO4Uh1I5PPYIFf8NTuvlYm3VDJTrYieK7UmF2RMx3I8m3jWdLVkcBcaWmWTZSROAZT5RYa2RgwEiTv5xrJk9enWGog7FmHNZNZtvBd8WuQSqZbYT-FNdytYk5GsSJ8jx-hkeYvb9zFug/s4256/226131.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3143" data-original-width="4256" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5svTa4i_5JXVIxKd7NN3mrPlMHNK-MBGWONEy6dmt-fOWf0sO4Uh1I5PPYIFf8NTuvlYm3VDJTrYieK7UmF2RMx3I8m3jWdLVkcBcaWmWTZSROAZT5RYa2RgwEiTv5xrJk9enWGog7FmHNZNZtvBd8WuQSqZbYT-FNdytYk5GsSJ8jx-hkeYvb9zFug/w200-h148/226131.JPG" title="Chester General Railway station, view of facade, 19th century (ref: 226131)" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGkNo9Kn_ycRrZJkDhsO-4jJ3ZW8Qc6e-18-w1B3W-zSgdorVbQZQyNduS7J-YBIrwR1o06D7Rd1ogHhXW2Y-cGKfxvnma8ELPzlYhrFg_uXfwu8BkCKLgyt7n-dCI9DFblWLKPhnIC69T9t54r384pzMunaLCsQIFekEaCfyv28eoyDQApCgCt507A/s2595/226124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="2595" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGkNo9Kn_ycRrZJkDhsO-4jJ3ZW8Qc6e-18-w1B3W-zSgdorVbQZQyNduS7J-YBIrwR1o06D7Rd1ogHhXW2Y-cGKfxvnma8ELPzlYhrFg_uXfwu8BkCKLgyt7n-dCI9DFblWLKPhnIC69T9t54r384pzMunaLCsQIFekEaCfyv28eoyDQApCgCt507A/w200-h162/226124.jpg" title="Photo Litho: Interior of the General Railway Station, Chester, 19th century (ref: 226124)" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The first Irish Mail train left the new station for Holyhead that same day. With the transportation of goods to Ireland, and an increase in trade from North Wales, Chester regained a good deal of the prosperity it had lost following the silting up of the River Dee. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_iv-IriTHaM-YLjhs0Js_SxK297f5DCxFa5SjZ5GB9mtElFPegng_zqc3yo3vLzLnx4YG7ZiC2hL2WMDhwAjbj5H_jfBqWk8d83Vkyol8OFr6rj7ktLm-EGYSK35pPK2j1UCyLbk9CUpRndqTQ0uHKunLCkgl3J7LqN7cXORZWskBzScZYBbJD4zbA/s3761/c06108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2329" data-original-width="3761" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_iv-IriTHaM-YLjhs0Js_SxK297f5DCxFa5SjZ5GB9mtElFPegng_zqc3yo3vLzLnx4YG7ZiC2hL2WMDhwAjbj5H_jfBqWk8d83Vkyol8OFr6rj7ktLm-EGYSK35pPK2j1UCyLbk9CUpRndqTQ0uHKunLCkgl3J7LqN7cXORZWskBzScZYBbJD4zbA/w320-h198/c06108.jpg" title="Irish Mail at Chester Station, c.1950-1959 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c06108)" width="320" /></a></div><br />The line was fully opened to passengers on 18th March 1850 and was immediately popular. It enabled people to travel cheaply and quickly to holiday and tourism destinations in North Wales and Ireland. In 1858 a branch line to Llandudno, one of the early favourite holiday destinations, was opened. Throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries travel by rail to holiday destinations on the North Wales coast continued to grow.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfVuz4RtW-K4-7MDn94yS_jfDz0gQqjzFQ8IE5NzSt5qDIpg0eEcyafxoEe9VHuXTt3x1A-V0BmFECQB5RJb9_VRQyDKbe8Lz6LjikW_BN-J62Ravv4qV2MrCR_xuByvw-3AcwgeARGJ-eSaIiqw1fHpKtKaPb1bUw-kQv1jP7OOMvInHAqWHlisGPw/s6000/CL_RW_10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfVuz4RtW-K4-7MDn94yS_jfDz0gQqjzFQ8IE5NzSt5qDIpg0eEcyafxoEe9VHuXTt3x1A-V0BmFECQB5RJb9_VRQyDKbe8Lz6LjikW_BN-J62Ravv4qV2MrCR_xuByvw-3AcwgeARGJ-eSaIiqw1fHpKtKaPb1bUw-kQv1jP7OOMvInHAqWHlisGPw/w133-h200/CL_RW_10.JPG" title="Poster advertising 'Irish Tourist Tickets' and Lakes of Killarney, 1855 (ref: 226121)" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqXMuIxyY3c_YgV4FKojMt5I0-SAx5o3GAey2dtE62OgnMrLyBsawmtMh8h-SsutR1czZ2f11GVPtiQnVU9qrb9PR_v_kWPq4OqHtTXsWA4RbxAMaqa_jyIv8qBXpSWvT0XDQqyCCFKUdksAU9tp889lbXf0O3xEo1vsJzmdylCM24BHepM3AzkN5AQ/s1322/D_4124_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="893" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqXMuIxyY3c_YgV4FKojMt5I0-SAx5o3GAey2dtE62OgnMrLyBsawmtMh8h-SsutR1czZ2f11GVPtiQnVU9qrb9PR_v_kWPq4OqHtTXsWA4RbxAMaqa_jyIv8qBXpSWvT0XDQqyCCFKUdksAU9tp889lbXf0O3xEo1vsJzmdylCM24BHepM3AzkN5AQ/w135-h200/D_4124_1.jpg" title="Programme for Ninth Annual Picnic to Llandudno and Menai Bridge, 22 May 1897 (ref: D 4124/1)" width="135" /></a></div><br />Today the cause of the River Dee Railway Bridge collapse would be called metal fatigue. The bridge was rebuilt several times and eventually replaced with a completely wrought iron bridge in 1870. Robert Stephenson’s wrought iron Conwy Bridge still stands today, whilst the original Britannia Bridge was only replaced in 1980 after being severely damaged in an accidental fire. The railway line itself continues to be heavily used by passengers as part of the North Wales Coast Line.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">175 years on from the tragic River Dee Bridge disaster, the greater story of the Chester to Holyhead railway is one of success. <br /><br /><br /></span><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">These railway records and more are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester. Transcriptions of several Crewe Works and railway companies’ staff registers can also be found at our web site <a href="http://databases.cheshirearchives.org.uk/archivesandlocalstudies/Search.aspx?archiveid=1" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #336699; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a> for Crewe, and <a href="http://databases.cheshirearchives.org.uk/cms/lacrailways/search.aspx" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #336699; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a> for four companies covering parts of Cheshire, Shropshire, Hereford and Wales. </i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Keep a look out on our Instagram and Twitter pages for more from our railway collections soon!</span><br /> </div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268326210469051235.post-4885648919588971742022-04-21T16:20:00.010+01:002022-05-10T13:47:43.888+01:00All Change at Crewe!<span style="font-family: arial;">The world’s first inter-city railway was the Liverpool and Manchester, which opened in 1830. More railways soon followed. The first to enter Cheshire was the Grand Junction between Birmingham and Liverpool, which included the station we know today as Crewe.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">On June 30th 1837, Parliament passed an Act authorising a railway between Chester and this new station. Its story is told through items in our Archives and Local Studies collections.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzO-PIcvBb7fPevLl-5etIadQm-UE2UqFdhs4REwsWaOM8mpmqtgAvmbl48oy-ho61BrQ9_XQvbC8744yfaMgEwd9fNrNiYpBUg0AsOu8SB37trMS9wwdL9XFvm3iQu2obXl9Sl51s2D-cvVSpq7LJ9StgLqJkZz4oTtOba1GPOLbGt0m3UQw_0PUWQ/s2890/SP_3_12_7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="1805" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzO-PIcvBb7fPevLl-5etIadQm-UE2UqFdhs4REwsWaOM8mpmqtgAvmbl48oy-ho61BrQ9_XQvbC8744yfaMgEwd9fNrNiYpBUg0AsOu8SB37trMS9wwdL9XFvm3iQu2obXl9Sl51s2D-cvVSpq7LJ9StgLqJkZz4oTtOba1GPOLbGt0m3UQw_0PUWQ/w200-h320/SP_3_12_7.jpg" title="Act of Parliament, June 1837 (ref: SP 3/12/7)" width="200" /></a></div><br />The railway might not have gone to Crewe at all. A line from Chester to Winsford was considered that would have been the shortest to link with the growing rail network.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The ‘father of railways’, George Stephenson, was chosen to engineer the line. He knew that railway building was already a difficult and expensive business and that this route would require tunnels and climbs through Delamere Forest.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">He soon picked a longer, flatter route across 20 ½ miles of the Cheshire countryside. It would go directly through the township of Monks Coppenhall and meet the Grand Junction Railway at Crewe Station.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiami4XrNDIWSJoPzf95JxTyZ_U2RUEfiNvEgrta-lKfn78WIxl118oB_NEvjMx5IIJ94_H-jaEiS3FlxD3SCXU0FFqsBzuItRjtwQgtkzOu2ld7BYQzPODka0a4ZfMvmw1S3_T_Ud_aXVpDwy6ykb5KA_aJtw3rDyjCLt90-cnylT0LsHahvMVdZcJeA/s17785/QDP_130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4144" data-original-width="17785" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiami4XrNDIWSJoPzf95JxTyZ_U2RUEfiNvEgrta-lKfn78WIxl118oB_NEvjMx5IIJ94_H-jaEiS3FlxD3SCXU0FFqsBzuItRjtwQgtkzOu2ld7BYQzPODka0a4ZfMvmw1S3_T_Ud_aXVpDwy6ykb5KA_aJtw3rDyjCLt90-cnylT0LsHahvMVdZcJeA/w400-h94/QDP_130.jpg" title="Chester and Crewe Railway, proposed plan. Signed by George Stephenson, 1836 (ref: QDP 130)" width="400" /></a></div><br />The man tasked with building the line was Thomas Brassey. Born near Chester in 1805, he has been called the world’s foremost railway builder of the 19th century. By the time of his death in 1870 ‘Cheshire’s Brunel’ had built an impressive 1/3 of the railways in Britain, 1/20 of the railways worldwide, and numerous engineering works such as Runcorn Bridge and Chester Railway Station.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0yzsjnh5hGMFiyq8xB72xJKoe_M4lEKYEv71J2kobg9F7YtYLJaBnM6-5Mm4X9f5oAjiZ2IWpffCtoK-g2OBn-66uHFmPw9JSFZ3Smw836szUcNTKZ3ac0q9pydZwcCghcvdMSg9DyAybdugrSzQ3a7gu77MdkVpYAvKW2ZimAoddgSbTXjQu6_cCA/s2316/212794.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="1740" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0yzsjnh5hGMFiyq8xB72xJKoe_M4lEKYEv71J2kobg9F7YtYLJaBnM6-5Mm4X9f5oAjiZ2IWpffCtoK-g2OBn-66uHFmPw9JSFZ3Smw836szUcNTKZ3ac0q9pydZwcCghcvdMSg9DyAybdugrSzQ3a7gu77MdkVpYAvKW2ZimAoddgSbTXjQu6_cCA/w150-h200/212794.JPG" title="Portrait of railway contractor Thomas Brassey in 1850 (from The Life and Labours of Thomas Brassey by Arthur Helps, ref: 212794)" width="150" /></a></div><br />Work on the railway began with optimism, but heavy rains in Autumn 1839 slowed construction down. Costs also rose as landowners began to realise the value of their land to rail companies. The railway’s investors soon couldn’t commit the capital needed to complete the line and work came to a standstill. In October 1839 the Chester and Crewe directors voted to sell the unfinished railway.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Rescue came when the Grand Junction Company absorbed the line and in May 1840 construction resumed. Local newspapers were finally able to announce that the grand opening would take place and publish the first passenger timetables.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The railway opened on October 1st, 1840. It had an immediate impact on everyday life. Travelling between Chester and Monks Coppenhall by coach took 2 1/2 hours and cost 8 shillings, whereas the same journey by rail would now take just 1 hour and cost 4 shillings. Cheaper and quicker travel across Cheshire and to places like Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and eventually London was now accessible for the people of Cheshire. Passenger numbers grew quickly in the 1840s.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUxYUDRFOZ2H66_780VqjN0kddpGl4_Dw-Iqcrmx-kLsKzwQZyi5XjInJo7tgRJW_08BoAWl1aAM0LIZLW3hOJvasJaU9mySCD0V5xNpTpE0G80L17l0dh8kfFjN8tPln5j9GiZx44TsiB_gTPGyl-00qjhx7uDzX3MA2dGgI2BGvcFmRBQTe9HEbGg/s2489/Chester%20Courant%2029_10_1840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="2489" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUxYUDRFOZ2H66_780VqjN0kddpGl4_Dw-Iqcrmx-kLsKzwQZyi5XjInJo7tgRJW_08BoAWl1aAM0LIZLW3hOJvasJaU9mySCD0V5xNpTpE0G80L17l0dh8kfFjN8tPln5j9GiZx44TsiB_gTPGyl-00qjhx7uDzX3MA2dGgI2BGvcFmRBQTe9HEbGg/w320-h236/Chester%20Courant%2029_10_1840.jpg" title="Announcement of the Railway opening and first timetable (Chester Courant, Tuesday 29 September 1840)" width="320" /></a></div><br />With the railway now a reality, Crewe was no longer just one of the stations on a single line and greater changes occurred that left an indelible mark on the history of Cheshire.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Early on, the Grand Junction Company saw Crewe station’s potential as a hub to link to Britain’s growing rail network. There was also the promise of linking with Ireland through an extension of the Chester and Crewe line to Holyhead. In 1840 they made plans to move their workshops and locomotive works from Edge Hill to Monks Coppenhall, just across the township boundary from Crewe station.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The company built 200 cottages ready for its workers and the rapidly developing settlement soon adopted the name of the station, marking the beginning of the town of Crewe as we know it today.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL2vNukz6kiiQI6ngisaEVfcA3kzZvbv8mbkoek6HXpeTIoaWK6YSiz2ZoKcgLYfaIbs_HA5KmfrlTstpZck8mLnXjJQMx1D65o_lBr7taeG3Qs0OT9H-PJoYu56x07PXG4Wyfvy-MAGB2Z9RF_F2eULTtEjSGpzCt7RmJQHCdMBQoYV-Uya7YdZGUQ/s6000/NPR_1699_10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL2vNukz6kiiQI6ngisaEVfcA3kzZvbv8mbkoek6HXpeTIoaWK6YSiz2ZoKcgLYfaIbs_HA5KmfrlTstpZck8mLnXjJQMx1D65o_lBr7taeG3Qs0OT9H-PJoYu56x07PXG4Wyfvy-MAGB2Z9RF_F2eULTtEjSGpzCt7RmJQHCdMBQoYV-Uya7YdZGUQ/w320-h213/NPR_1699_10.JPG" title="Crewe Railway Station and Old Works plan, 1912 (ref: NPR 1699/10)" width="320" /></a></div><br />By 1842 Crewe station was the focus of 3 major railways. As more lines were opened it became a busy junction and in 1861 it was rebuilt to cope with the traffic. Over the last 185 years it has grown further and today has 12 platforms.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpLvQQJ987LeEiPtbKcqABJcPVHA-q-HJHZBbVB4jcTcVhP11_bdRqbeAsVWEWou02wYgg3mqHNp90RwHKDv4Av1XI2N3BEjYGrcQNUOBDX_vToWflu5FzSvpRD4HPINb848q1iEQUjv1GPHQq1wuxXEaTpUR5s_wjdWLomF3rksF_tScNQ8PfOCZCA/s3842/c10557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2419" data-original-width="3842" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpLvQQJ987LeEiPtbKcqABJcPVHA-q-HJHZBbVB4jcTcVhP11_bdRqbeAsVWEWou02wYgg3mqHNp90RwHKDv4Av1XI2N3BEjYGrcQNUOBDX_vToWflu5FzSvpRD4HPINb848q1iEQUjv1GPHQq1wuxXEaTpUR5s_wjdWLomF3rksF_tScNQ8PfOCZCA/w320-h201/c10557.jpg" title="Crewe Railway Station: colour tinted postcard c.1910-1919 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c10557)" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Locomotive Works opened in 1843, marking the start of a great tradition of industry and engineering in Crewe. By 1848, it had over 1000 workers and built one locomotive per week. Production grew steadily in the 19th and 20th centuries and at its height the Works employed 20,000 people. The last locomotive ran off the line in 1991 and the site is now occupied by the Crewe Heritage Centre museum.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHy9vW7-FuvNfGYUKfQMUvgVMlYTNnFlTRfFMK4q5_c0eHkyyA8XQnsqsTbQjqkiOFew-wR6XS3lZyAPZlHrKmMBhlVv5Tlh27DaS7x_61wuPB3mI3bJ2DEndw8ANl_WeYyXcWaddjJSI9Tbe3Y0whuvrAN22I2tS2D8MNTwb0bVhcfxfnUQBVEyiBw/s2131/c06052.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="2131" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHy9vW7-FuvNfGYUKfQMUvgVMlYTNnFlTRfFMK4q5_c0eHkyyA8XQnsqsTbQjqkiOFew-wR6XS3lZyAPZlHrKmMBhlVv5Tlh27DaS7x_61wuPB3mI3bJ2DEndw8ANl_WeYyXcWaddjJSI9Tbe3Y0whuvrAN22I2tS2D8MNTwb0bVhcfxfnUQBVEyiBw/w200-h112/c06052.jpg" title="Crewe Works: Erecting Shop c.1900-1909 (Cheshire Image Bank ref: c06052)" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUW_CvpNbEDY7op27l0KtK7nT4TuQaolFeFXZMI3zciNmHMUjAIEZ708wcnRl722uGIPBS-DSvShFkORaU4TrnmYGXmRiptAQs-EO40jhDDLdqklPHwrI5jgc1xD3NKdwTTONykEUbqNc5NhW63sY-tf1wDxetLoiwwDtBus42_Vq-1UjTgY7W5smiw/s1518/D_7978_675.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1518" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUW_CvpNbEDY7op27l0KtK7nT4TuQaolFeFXZMI3zciNmHMUjAIEZ708wcnRl722uGIPBS-DSvShFkORaU4TrnmYGXmRiptAQs-EO40jhDDLdqklPHwrI5jgc1xD3NKdwTTONykEUbqNc5NhW63sY-tf1wDxetLoiwwDtBus42_Vq-1UjTgY7W5smiw/w200-h135/D_7978_675.jpg" title="Interior photograph of Crewe Locomotive Works, 20th century (ref: D 7978, image no. 675)" width="200" /></a></div>Today, passengers continue to use the Chester and Crewe railway to cross Cheshire and reach the rest of Great Britain and Ireland. The journey from Chester to Crewe takes around 20 minutes whilst Crewe to London takes around 2 ½ hours, something which would have been unthinkable in 1837.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Crewe is seeing major development and is currently bidding to become the home of Great British Railways (GBR), the new national rail operator from 2023. The railway station could also play an important role as a hub in the planned HS2 network.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">185 years since it was first approved, the Chester to Crewe railway is still changing life for the people of Cheshire and connecting them with each other and the world beyond.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>These railway records and more are available to view at Cheshire Record Office in Chester. Transcriptions of several Crewe Works and railway companies’ staff registers can also be found at our web site <a href="http://databases.cheshirearchives.org.uk/archivesandlocalstudies/Search.aspx?archiveid=1" target="_blank">here</a> for Crewe and <a href="http://databases.cheshirearchives.org.uk/cms/lacrailways/search.aspx" target="_blank">here</a> for four companies covering parts of Cheshire, Shropshire, Hereford and Wales. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>And look out for our next blog, which continues the story of railways with the Chester to Holyhead line and the 175th anniversary of one of Cheshire's most famous rail disasters. (This was published on 5th May 2022, read it <a href="http://cheshirero.blogspot.com/2022/05/making-crossing-chester-to-holyhead.html" target="_blank">here.</a></i></span><br /> </div>CheshireROhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13779821685371243241noreply@blogger.com0