Meetings 2018
Hoole History & Heritage Society Meetings - 2018
Wednesday January 17th
'The petition (Memorial) for a new bridge in Hoole' - Speaker Monty Mercer
In 1889 people from Hoole were already facing some of the problems pedestrians experience today, when passing from one side of the Hoole Bridge to the other. People used the bridge to go into the city centre, or to enter Chester General Railway Station: many made return journeys every working day. In 1889, experience of the problems of using the bridge led to action being taken to bring about an improvement.
A document from that time has been found at The National Archives in Kew, where it lay undisturbed until now from its creation in 1889. The document, a “Memorial” (which was a petition) has revealed fascinating details of its 197 signatories, their addresses and interests, and the reasons why they were petitioning the Joint Railway Companies in order to bring about a solution to the dangers to pedestrians and other users of the bridge over the railway.
The presentation will examine the events leading up to the petition, and its results, followed by an opportunity for members to work on and interrogate the document, thus learning about the people who signed it and their professions. Many who signed have already introduced themselves during our research into life in Victorian Hoole.
Thursday February 22nd
'Female Friendly Societies' - Speaker Stella Young
The Flookersbrook, Newton and Hoole Female Friendly Society, formed in 1817, marched every year until at least 1840 from The Ermine to Chester Cathedral, but because only a few records survive little is known about the Society's activities. Neston Female Friendly Society is better documented, and Stella Young will tell us of her research into its formation, purpose and organisation, so that we may better understand what Female Friendly Societies set out to achieve.
Wednesday March 21st
'History of the Leadworks' - Speaker Geoff Pickard
The Leadworks has dominated the skyline of Chester for over 200 years and has provided employment for many of its citizens. Geoff Pickard, its former works manager has researched the Works in great detail and has recently published an illustrated history; his talk will take us from the lead shot used by soldiers in the Napoleonic Wars to the radiation shields used in submarines, and also tell us about the people involved in their manufacture.
Thursday April 19th
'Religion in Hoole Part 1' - Speaker Ralph Earlam
As Hoole and Newton's population grew during the Victorian era, people of differing religious backgrounds and denominations arrived in the area, and as a result many different places of worship were established. Ralph Earlam will describe and illustrate many of these, explaining some of their origins, from medieval times to the present day.
Wednesday May 23rd
'A walking tour along Hoole Road' - Guide Ralph Earlam
Starting outside The Flookersbrook at 7.30 p.m., Ralph will explain the significance of some of the buildings and sites and their role in the history of Hoole and Newton.
Thursday June 21st
'Where, when, and what was Hoole' - Speaker Linda Webb
When the Society applied for our grant to research the history of Victorian Hoole, 'a township which grew up outside the walls of Chester' the "Hoole" we had in mind was the area of the township which developed from 1840 onwards, spreading out rapidly from Faulkner Street on the Victorian/Edwardian footprint locally governed by Hoole Urban District Council until 1954.
Once research began, it became clear that the geographical area referred to as "Hoole" changed over time, ecclesiastical, administrative, and electoral boundaries also changed, and continue to do so.
When, where, and what was Hoole? These are questions about the place name and its changing boundaries and definitions which have produced many very interesting answers.
Wednesday July 18th
'Members Evening' - To discuss progress since the 2017 AGM. There will be an opportunity for Members to contribute on two specific areas of research:
- The "Memorial" (the 1889 Petition for a railway footbridge) - together we shall be following up further interesting information that has come to light about the local signatories to the Petition. Some photographs of the footbridge, which was eventually built in 1893, have also been found.
- Local Listing – pooling information and photographs on buildings, other structures and landscapes that we would like to see conserved.
Wednesday August 1st
'A walking tours in the area outside of Chester Station' - Guide Phil Cook
This is to coincide with a general celebration, by parties involved in the railway service, of the 170th Anniversary of the opening of Chester Station in 1848. The Society will have a stall in the Station foyer from 10.00 -15.00. Phil Cook will be offering two guided walking tours of the Station Building to present a little about Thomas Brassey, his new station, and why, when the railways were already in Chester, a new station was needed! The tours are at 13.30 (short version – 45 mins.) and at 18.30 (longer version – 90 mins. especially, but not exclusively, for Society Members). Please do join us to celebrate the day!
Wednesday September 19th
'Religion in Hoole Part 2' - Speaker Ralph Earlam
The second part of the talk will deal with the changes at All Saints Church in the twentieth century, the arrival of non-conformism and provision made for Welsh worshippers. The response to the building of large housing estates in Newton after the second world war will be covered, as will the story of three chapels on Hoole Lane and in Pipers Ash.
Thursday October 18th
'The Cheshire historian George Ormerod' - Speaker John Hess
John Hess’s talk will be on the Cheshire historian George Ormerod in whose house he lives. John is a graduate of Cambridge University and he wrote his first book, on the historian George Ormerod, in 1989. That has been followed by a number of works on local and family history. John founded the Backford, Mollington and District Local History Society in 2002 and was chairman of Cheshire Local History Association from 2011 to 2014.
Wednesday November 21st
'A World War 1 Miscellany' - Speaker Dave Rees
A talk on the celebrations / commemorations for the Armistice - plus the wartime exploits of four local lads: a Pilot, a Gunner, a Medical Orderly, and a South Wales Borderer. Members of the public are invited to bring photographs, medals and records of their relatives who took part in the War. It is likely that details about their service can be found.
Thursday December 13th
Annual General Meeting