The second meeting was a great success. If you are interested in getting involved or giving us a helping hand, just leave a reply at the end of the post. Here are the minutes…
MIDDLETON HISTORY RESEARCH GROUP
Meeting Old Boar’s Head, 30 Jan 2016
Thirteen researchers came with apologies from the Edgar Wood and Arts & Crafts research team, who unfortunately couldn’t make the date.
Plenty of enthusiasm before the meeting began as people discussed the history of the town. Dave invited Danny who is a couple of weeks in post working for Manchester Histories (they organise the annual history exhibitions at Manchester Town Hall). He was able to give us some good ideas and was impressed with what we would like to achieve in Middleton.
Geoff Wellens outlined what we are about and gave a Power Point presentation with ideas so far. Members were then asked, when their subject came up, to speak on it.
Glen and Martyn seem happy to look into the 3D mapping of Middleton which we hope will show the physical development of the town over many centuries and how the landscape has changed to permit the building of new roads and the construction of housing and mills, etc.
Dave talked about the work up in the Old Cemetery and the need to record monumental inscriptions and tidy up graves where possible. There is a special day up there for volunteers to join the Green Volunteers on 23 March. It’s dead interesting and invaluable work. COME ALONG. Then, a month later, there is an open day for the public to see the work and accomplishments.
Cliff, who has already done a mountain of work with the famous Assheton Family papers at Central Library, would like help. He is making the summary files available on DropBox to give insight as to what is available to be researched. Email him if you’d like to see the summaries and offer to help.
Christine suggested our group could be affiliated to the Arts and Crafts Church for constitutional reasons and obtaining grants for projects.
Old Boar’s Head. The date, worked out through dendrochronology, was told to the meeting by Cliff. The north end of the building was erected in 1622. Further tests done this last Thursday will hopefully tell us if the rest of the building is the same or another date.
Further notes
- Potential start up funding from Manchester Histories.
- Bursary available for student to do a population study (does anybody know of a likely candidate?)
- We may be able to ask an archivist to give a talk.
- https://middletonheritage.co.uk are offering to publish events and report on what we have achieved.
- Green volunteers have offered to help MAS clean up the Ashton Lever family Alkrington crypt. Cliff to arrange a suitable Wednesday.
A GREAT FUTURE FOR THE GROUP, BUT WE NEED RESEARCHERS!
Suggested date for the next meeting – 2 pm February 28th (to be confirmed so check the events page HERE)
