Newport History Society

Transcription

1 Newport History Society Newsletter May 2012 Web Address -

2 1 Chairman s Report May 2012 Our extended Annual General Meeting saw the resignations of Paul as Chairman, Phil and Paula as Joint Treasurers and Derek who had kindly taken over from Don as Programme Arranger. As your new Chairman I am very grateful for all their contributions to the work of the Society. Paul is a hard act for me to follow but I will do my best. We reckon that it is 14 years since Phil and Paula began in their post - they have certainly earned a rest! We are very lucky that Margaret Robson has volunteered to become a member of the Society and has been elected Treasurer. Margaret, welcome and I hope you enjoy your new post. Phil and Paula will give you all the help you need and part of the duties will be undertaken by "The 2 Lizes". Liz Phillips will also be our new Secretary and Liz Raymont has kindly agreed to be Vice-Chairman. Gill (Publicity), Linda (Archivist) Julian (Finds Officer and Field Officer) and Phil Walker(Web site manager), will continue in their posts. Reports on last year's activities show that we are a flourishing Society. Our Archives are being built up rapidly and the number of "hits" on our web site is surprisingly large. S N A P is very popular as a source of pictures and information on the history of Newport. We had an interesting range of speakers and our visits were successful in spite of mixed weather. I would like to say a big thank you to all those who quietly beaver away in the background and to especially thank Julian Meeson and his helpers who have set up displays in No. 3 High Street. Julian s group are to be congratulated for their amazing fieldwork, over the years, particularly with the Brook Cottage project at Forton. I hope our new-look team will continue the good work and I wish you all the best for the coming year. Please remember this is YOUR Society - any help and ideas for our activities are always welcome. Martin Elkes

3 2 RARE 1657 MANUSCRIPT IS RETURNED TO NEWPORT At the autumn of 2010, Elizabeth Kosinski, Archivist and Librarian of Adams' Grammar School, had an unexpected telephone call. Later, in the Old Novaportan s Newsletter, she described what followed: "On the 20 th October 2010, out of the blue a telephone call from Mr. Henry Aldridge, auctioneer in Devizes was put through to the Library. A deceased's estate (family from Ireland) had in their possession a manuscript from Included in the handwritten pages was a copy of the "Original Letters Patent for the foundation of a Grammar School at Newport, in the county of Salop" It was indeed a fortuitous call for Adams. During Half-Term, I went to view the item and was allowed to take some photos. Copies were sent to David Bartle, Archivist at Haberdashers Hall and Ruth and David Taylor, authors of the history of the School. The Archivist at Habs was very interested, saying that at Haberdashers Hall they did not have a copy of what was in the bound volume, but it was Ruth Taylor who, looking up her old research notes from a visit to the Guildhall in London, told us what it was. She had noted that in Manuscript 1657 there was a note that a "Bound copy of these (to do with Wm. Ad. Charity) documents is to go to the Minister of Newport (Mr. Malden in the 17th C.) for reference for the Visitors (now known as Governors) at their meetings. And one copy for the Master (headmaster, the first one being Thomas Chaloner). Both copies are to be handed to their successors." Over the years both copies had gone missing. Then we had to jump the hurdle of an Auction on Nov. 13 th. The money had to be found and the bidding had to be successful. It was Keith Morris, the School Business Manager, and myself who consulted widely as to price and method of bidding. Money was secured from the Adams Governors Fund and our bid was successful and thus we own the Manuscript.

4 3 What is in the document? 1. Copy of the letters patent sealed by Oliver Cromwell nominating the Haberdashers as wardens of the Charity. 2. A licence of mortmain from John Cooke Esq. 3. Deed of purchase from Charles Sawyer of Knighton in Staffordshire. 4. Grants of further lands owned by William Adams. 5. Conveyance of land to the Wardens of the Haberdashers. 6. Conveyance of three houses in Newport on land wherein the School and officers houses are to stand. 7. The release made to the Masters and Wardens for the discharge of two annuities. 8. Copy of the Statutes regarding the duties of Headmaster. 9. Copy of the Statutes regarding the running of the School. 10. Catalogue of Books donated by William Adams and others. 11. Catalogue of goods held in the Headmasters House, signed by Thomas Chaloner, and in the Ushers house. 12. Copy of an Act of Parliament after the Restoration of 1660 referring to the school at Newport.

5 4 The manuscript was displayed at the Full Governors Meeting in Longford on the 14th December and taken to be shown to the Court of Assistants, Haberdashers Hall, London. I was told that the Haberdashers were mightily impressed. The document has been digitised at the Guildhall Library in London and has returned, hopefully to be suitably displayed in Big School Library at Adams in the near future. Elizabeth Kosinski The information above was supplied Mrs. E. Kosinski, the Librarian and Archivist at Adams Grammar School, Recently, at the School archives, Mrs. Kosinski showed the Manuscript to one of the History Society's members. It is a substantial, leather-bound volume containing more than 100 manuscript pages. It is, indeed, a handsome book and the school must be pleased to have it back where it belongs.

6 5 Rare 1657 Manuscript contd. Much of it relates to the financial and legal framework by which William Adams was able to create the School's foundation and its future support through the Haberdashers. However, many Novaportans, who have attended Adams', past and present, will find of more interest the Statutes which prescribe the way in which the Schoolmasters were appointed, and how they ran the School. Much of the text can be already read in David and Ruth Taylor's 2002 "Mr. Adams' Free Grammar School" but perhaps it would be good if some of the most interesting items of the Statutes were published in the web-site and the Newsletter. Web Address - Phil Walker Subscriptions Our Secretary, Liz Phillips, has asked that a further reminder be made to those members who have not yet paid their subscriptions. The final date is the 31st May. Non-payment does not mean that those people will be put in the pillory or stocks but it will be assumed that they no longer wish to remain as members.

7 Memories of Newport and District History Society 6 At least as early as 1979 a group of local people, who were interested in history, were looking at the topography of the town and gathering together artifacts which they had found on their Sunday walkabouts. A History group was set up by Berwick Roberts, Ray Edwards, a carpenter, Neil Edwards, his brother, Roy Sumnall, an artist, Heather Williams, an art historian with Paul Custance and Terry Gilder, who was Editor of the Newport and Market Drayton Advertiser. Ray was the first Chairman and Heather offered to be Secretary with Berwick as Archivist. In 1983 they were joined by May Bye and in 1984 by Tavia Maclean. Then they were joined by Arthur Hawkins who took on the post of Treasurer of the Society. That embryonic archaeology group of people, grew into the History Society that we have today. In the early years, Newport and District History Society, as it was then called, was composed of groups of members who followed their own interests in local history. The work of the archaeology group declined until a metal detecting enthusiast called Julian Meeson resurrected field work with amazing vigour and determination. Since his involvement thousands of finds have been made in the area. Those finds have been recorded and that process has led to the name of Newport History Society, as it is now called, being put well and truly on the National History Map. The groups met together about once a month to compare notes and announce to the whole Society what they had been up to. There was a Newspaper Group, which usually met on a Monday evening, firstly in a room above the Information Office and later in the Advertiser offices in St. Mary Street. Chairperson of the Group, Heather Williams, together with Margaret de Boer, May Edwards, Beryl Osborne, Mary Lawton, and Merlys Jardine, would spend those evenings searching through old copies of the Newport and Market Drayton Advertiser for snippets of information that might be of interest to themselves and the rest of the members. Many items of interest extracted by them have been recorded and some have been printed in the Newsletter over the years. Sadly Merlys passed away a few years ago and Mary died, recently, on 10 th October 2011.

8 7 Heather has moved on to do other things and Margaret has moved away from Newport to be near her daughter. The Vernacular Architecture Group (VAG) was headed by Heather Williams as Chairperson together with Tavia Maclean, May Bye, who looked after the separate finances of the group, Sue Goodwin, who compiled the drawings, Ada Routledge who was a retired Headmistress of Sambrook School, Beryl Osborne, Helen Crump, Helen Gibson and Doris Goodall. They were later joined by Mike Abbott and Bryan Lloyd. At some stage in those early years Mary Lawton also joined the team even though she was still continuing with her newspaper searches. The VAG spent much of their time studying, measuring, sketching, and making drawings of many buildings in and around Newport. Between them they managed to produce records for posterity. Copies of the recorded assessments are held in the Society archives. More often than not the properties were entered by invitation of the owners who would be curious about some of the features they had noticed within their buildings. Eventually the process of physical examination of properties came to an end but curiosity led the VAG to try to find out who had been in them and what the properties had been used for. Documentary and oral research then began about trades and people thus sparking a greater in-depth search of the town and then the whole area. An Oral History Group was also started to make recordings of local people. Arthur Hawkins and Paul Custance were the recording experts gathering the voices of some of the local inhabitants. Liz Raymont is continuing that very important work. Three or four years ago the SNAP Project was set up by Linda Fletcher and Phil Dainty to archive the many photographic images held in the archives. Sue George, Sue Cleaves, Mike Abbott, Phil Walker and Bryan Lloyd all joined in a course to learn about the digital copying of the pictures and computerise the relevant data. In the digitised files there are over 5,000 images along with related information, which has been recorded wherever possible. This project led to the setting up of a Newport History web site which can be, and is actually, viewed worldwide with about 300 hits per month. The site is superbly managed by Phil Walker. Bryan Lloyd with help from Tavia Maclean.

9 8 Titanic Local Connections The following is from an article in the Shropshire Star dated Friday 30th December 2011 The Fred Olsen ship Balmoral will meet up with the Azamura Journey at the spot where the Titanic sank 100 years ago for a memorial service to remember the 1,517 people who perished in the disaster. The service has been welcomed by Titanic Lecturer Joanna Vardon from Newport. Four members of Miss Vardon's family boarded the famous ship - and all survived. Miss Vardon said: "This is one of the most romantic and tragic events in history and I think it's fitting that it's being commemorated in this way. It's such a major talking point, even today, and the event deserves to be recognised in a big way. The Titanic was the world's greatest ship and should have been unsinkable. There is still a complete fascination with what happened and it's a story that will be told for many generations to come." Among the Shropshire contingent on the liner was Edward Willey, 18, a farm labourer from Market Drayton who is believed to have died. The Balmoral will sail from Southampton to the spot where the sinking took place. There, on April 14, she will be joined by the Azamara Journey which will have sailed from New York. Passengers, including relatives of those that died, will be served 1912-era food. Author Arthur Cropley, great-nephew of Charles Lightoller, the Second Officer of the Titanic will be onboard the Balmoral.

10 9 Does Anyone Remember? The Wilbrighton Races Just recently John Beesley, of Brook Cottage Forton, showed me an old programme of the Albrighton Hunt Point to Point Steeplechases meeting. It was dated Saturday March 22nd John explained that it was the programme for the last meeting that was held there and if I would like it I could have it for the History archives. Wilbrighton was where he used to live and farm. The large distinctive house can be seen on the right, on the top of the hill, just after passing Park Farm, as one travels from Newport to Stafford. Below are views of the front and back covers of the document. Front Cover Back Cover

11 10 The new Elected Officers and Back-room Workers For 2012/2013 Chairman Martin Elkes Vice Chairman Liz Raymont Treasurer Margaret Robson Secretary + Subs & Membership Liz Phillips Archives Linda Fletcher Field Archaeology Julian Meeson SNAP Phil Dainty & Sue George Web Site & Computer Phil Walker Publicity Gill Watkins Newsletter Bryan Lloyd Teas Sue Cleaves & Kath Crewe Did You Know? The King James Bible was published in The last two people burnt for heresy in England happened in James Napier invented logarithms in 1614 Coin-in-the-slot tobacco machines were introduced in English taverns in One-way streets were introduced in London in First African slaves in North America Source:- When, Where, Why & How It Happened - Reader s Digest

12 Dates for your Diary Meetings are normally held at the Baptist Church in Water Lane at 7-30 p.m June 18th - July 21st- Visit to Brook House & Forton - John Beesley Meet on New St. Car Park at 6-50 pm. Conducted Tour of Horsehay and Light moor 2-00 pm. To be confirmed. September17th - Newport Buttercross - Tim Malin of S.L.R. Consulting. October 15th - The Life and Work of Thomas Telford - Peter Brown. November 19th - Telford and The Wrekin - Richard Bifield. December 10th - Xmas Do at Newport Arms (The Swan). Details to be announced January 21st - The Journey - Ted Cowling. *********************************************** Contacts Martin Elkes Tavia McLean Bryan Lloyd Gill Watkins