Ponteland Historian February 2011

Ponteland Historian

Newsletter of Ponteland Local History Society

17^th February 2011

CHATTING ABOUT ANTIQUES

Our speaker this evening Andy Burman is no stranger to Ponteland and is very well known for his expertise in antiques.  Formerly the resident expert on BBC Radio Newcastle Andy has appeared on “The Antiques Roadshow” and with Arthur Negus on “Going for a Song”.

CIVIC SOCIETY

Further meetings in their programme are:

28^th March AGM followed by Richard Pears – “Architectural Oddities”

18^th April Chris Jones – “Historic Villages in and around Northumberland National Park”

ANLHS DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

26^th February

Council Meeting

St. Nicholas’ Church Hall, South Gosforth at 1.30 pm (for 2.00).  There will also be a presentation on “North East Labour History’s Popular Politics Project”

26^th March

One-Day School in Wooler

“Women at Work”

There will be 3 guest speakers focusing on the role of women and girls in fishing, domestic service and farming and an exhibition by Glendale LHS portraying the work of the Women’s Land Army.

Katrina Porteous – “Women & Girls in the Northumbrian Fishing Community, 1300-1950”

Pamela Sambrook – “Women in Service in the Great Country Houses”

Dinah Iredale – “Bondagers: The History of Women Farmworkers in Northumberland & South – East Scotland”

The closing date for applications to this event is 12^th March and forms are available this evening or from the Secretary at localhistory@virginmedia.com 

COMMUNICATION

If you have an email address please leave it on the list provided.  It makes for quick & efficient contact with you between meetings.

18^TH June 2011

Round the County Day hosted by:

Corbridge Village Trust

David Waugh will talk on “Historic Corbridge” & there will be tours of St. Andrew’s Church, the village & Dilston.  Frances Dickinson will be leading the tour of Dilston.

The closing date for applications to this event is 21^st May and forms are available this evening or from  localhistory@virginmedia.com 

OUTINGS

Arrangements have been made to visit Markenfield Hall near Ripon on Wednesday 18^th May.  The 14^th Century moated Hall, said to be “Yorkshire’s Best Kept Secret” is only open to the public for 28 afternoons per year but we have arranged a private guided tour with free time afterwards to wander around the Chapel, Great Hall, Undercroft and Moat.  The visit, which will take around 2 hours, will start at 2.00pm but as we are travelling by coach we will have some free time in nearby Ripon beforehand, where Members will make their own arrangements for lunch.

The coach will leave Ponteland at 9.00am and return at 6.00pm.  Application forms are available this evening and should be returned as soon as possible together with a deposit of £5.  The total cost for the visit will be £16 inclusive of coach travel and entry to the Hall.

 

Following the success of the January Meeting and the interest shown in the Archaeological Investigations at Bamburgh arrangements have been made with Graeme Young to visit the site on Friday 1^st July.  We will however be required to pay the £6 admission fee to the Castle to gain access to the “dig” and therefore arrangements have been made for a guided tour beforehand starting at 10.30am.  The tour will take about 45 minutes or so after which we shall meet up with Graeme.  Members will then be free to make their own provision for lunch after which it has been suggested that we meet up for a group visit to the Grace Darling Museum.  If there is sufficient interest in this option then this will be arranged beforehand for 2.30 pm.  There will be a small entrance fee of £1.75 for concessions.

It is proposed that we travel by car to Bamburgh.  There is list available this evening to declare your interest and to indicate your preference for the optional visit to the Grace Darling Museum.

THE OUSEBURN TRUST

The Ouseburn Trust, set up in 1996 to protect the unique heritage and character of the Lower Ouseburrn Valley is offering guided tours along specific sections the 19^th century waggonway known as the Victoria Tunnel.  These organised tours take place on Thursdays at 6.30pm and Fridays & Saturdays at 10.00am & 1.00pm.  It is essential to check availability on these by telephoning 0191 261 6596 or visiting their website: www.ouseburntrustoorg.uk.

If these times are not convenient then tours can be organised on other days for private groups of between 6 or 12 people.  There is a list available this evening to gauge interest for an alternative visit.