Combe Down Heritage Society
PROGRAMME FOR AUTUMN 2009
The following is our programme for the autumn of 2009. You may wish to put these events in your diary.
For all our meetings, do keep an eye on the notices in the village centre - by the Co-op, in Combe Down News window and in the Stone Mines Information Centre
PROGRAMME
23rd September, James Ayres will give a talk on Stone Masonry
21st October, Neil Macmillen, expert on Fullers Earth, will share his knowledge of history with us. His much acclaimed new book will be on sale
18th November, we hope to have a public meeting on the future of Ralph Allen Yard
We also plan to publish the results of the Shops Project in time for Xmas stockings
In December we may have a Xmas party
Next Spring we will put on an exhibition at the Bath at work Museum
All talks are at Combe Down Primary School, Summer Lane. Refreshments are available at 7.00.pm - meetings start at 7.30. sharp. Admission: members free, non-members £1
NEWSLETTERS
We will continue to publish these quarterly. Please let us have some contributions from members. Little titbits of history (a couple of hundred words is enough) would be much appreciated and would liven up our style
THE EXCURSION TO GANT’S MILL
At the time of reporting, a party of us look forward to this outing and a note about it will be published later
The first mention of a mill on the River Bru was in the Domesday Book, since then it has seen many changes of use but now, restored by the owner Brian Shingler, it is a flour mill with all the machinery intact. Brian will gives us a guided tour and demonstration. Then we take tea and cake in the Tea Conservatory bedecked with Alison Shingler's prize begonias and fuchsias. You can sit in the garden, walk up the river valley or find out about the hydroelectric turbine installed in 2003 which contributes 12Kw continuously to the local grid
THE VILLAGE PAGEANT
Plans for a village pageant to be held at the Grand Celebration on 26 September are taking shape. Any Croft is writing the words, Paul Englishby is writing the music and the choir has already started rehearsing. Contact the Secretary urgenly if you would like to join. The theme is the history of Combe Down with many parts being played by pupils from the Primary and Ralph Allen Schools
Please contact Andy Croft: Tel: 01642 813997 or email: andy.croft@ntlworld.com
FIRS FIELD
As we go to press, there are startling developments in the news on the future of our park and the Society’s views are contributing to the discussions
RALPH ALLEN YARD
Plans for the development of the yard, to include an Interpretative Centre and also for community use, go ahead slowly. This remains in the hands of Homes and Community Association (HCA, previously English Partnerships) and we look forward to seeing the Planning Application soon. Meanwhile, an important development must be to set up a village Trust to take over ownership of the Centre. Though the Trust must be representative of the village as a whole, it is being initially taken forward by the Heritage Society and local Councillors. If this development interests you, do please get in touch with the Chairman.
WILLIAM SMITH
We mentioned Dick Irving’s research and the archaeological excavation in front of the quarry was described at our February meeting. Dick has now put the final touches to his monograph and we look forward to seeing its publication on the Society’s website. Tim Pentreath manages the website, for which we are most grateful, and has recently agreed to do some major updating including the addition of Dick’s paper. The ‘Events page’ is managed by your Newsletter team and regularly updated so do keep an eye on this.
The Stone Mines Information Centre at 199 Bradford Road is a mine of information on the stabilisation. The Heritage Society has a file there with all our reports which includes the minutes of committee meetings.
The Legacy Group
As we reported in the recent Newsletters, a Legacy Group was set up to plan an Interpretation Centre at Ralph Allen Yard to house and display the history of the stone mining in the village and the mine stabilisation, a Public Art Project to also provide a permanent reminder of our mining heritage as well as some short-term events to bring enjoyment to the village, and a Commemorative Book to tell the story of the stabilisation project. The Centre will have an active educational programme for all ages and will be able to offer another meeting place. As well as our two local Counsellors, the Group has representatives from the Combe Down Heritage Society, The Combe Down Stone Mines Community Association and Friends of Firs Field.
There is no intention to try to impose anything on the village and it is really important that we all take part in the consultations and contribute ideas and enthusiasm. Please come to all the Legacy Group and Public Art public meetings.
All the Society’s publication, plus other local history books including ‘Around Combe Down’ are on sale at the meetings - see the ‘Publications’ page on this web site. Combe Down News, Oldfield Books and Whitemans also hold copies.
All our publications can be bought direct from the Society at any time.
Wanted - your memories of stone mining.
Can you help? We want to collect as many memories of stone mining and quarrying as possible to contribute to the Legacy plans for the Commemorative Book and the Interpretation Centre exhibits.
Perhaps you heard stories from your Dad, Grandfather, uncles or family friends?. We want memories of people, events, work practices, accidents, fights, celebrations, tools, tallies, pay and conditions - anything remotely connected with stone mining can all add to the picture. Have you any photos? Was the miners reputation for drinking and fighting justified? What did the womenfolk think about it?
FOR FURTHER NEWS – SEE OUR RECENT NEWSLETTER
Further details from the secretary, 13 Williamstowe, BA2 5EJ a833681 (m.aylett@homecall.co.uk)
Updated 25/6/09