NEWSLETTER Issue 8: May 2010 http://fotsm.org.uk

Welcome to what may be the penultimate the Mercians) in 914 a.d. What remains of Westminster , with the best architect edition of the Friends of The Salt the site is a scheduled ancient monument. of his day, Walter of Hereford, in charge of Museum’s Newsletter! The changes to our That does not stop nature from continuing the construction. Tony told us about the constitution, to reflect the change in to erode the site so one day it may truly lives of the monks and all the jobs at which name of the museum and to bring it up to have gone for good. they were adept, such as glassmaking, date, are progressing well. The final beekeeping, quarrying, looking after sheep version will be presented at the A.G.M. in Next time you visit , and you go and even engineering works to manage October and offered for adoption by the into the Castle Park Arts Centre, you are water, together with presumably their Friends. If anyone would like a copy of on the site of a castle destroyed by fire in religious duties. Despite all these talents the draft version before the A.G.M. 1654. The then owner, John Savage, died and all the monies received from the Black please email me or ask to see a copy at that year and within hours of his death the Prince in 1350s, the abbey was still not one of the Friends events held at the building was destroyed, very mysterious! finished. museum. Another example of buildings being lost is Disaster struck in 1360 when the building Membership continues to rise and we the clearance of slums in , from the collapsed! Tony wasn’t sure what had now number just over 300, double that of mid eighteen hundreds through to the caused the collapse, but there is a just three years ago. With the AGM nineteen thirties. Small, packed together suggestion on a website, (www.vra.co.uk) coming up in October there is plenty of and overcrowded houses just off Prince’s that there had been a hurricane across time for members to consider standing Street. Imagine, if you can, seven families ! The Abbey was finished by for election to the committee. If you are living in one small house - 39 people in all. Richard II on a much reduced scale. interested, would like more information If that was not bad enough, then consider of what is involved, or maybe sit in and that several houses shared an outside toilet! Tony went on to summarise why he felt observe a committee meeting, then email that Abbey was a failed me, speak to any of the current Also gone are a Roman Villa in Eaton, near enterprise quoting evidence such as committee members or write in to the Tarporley, although the remains of the scandals, intrigue; mismanagement of address at the end of the newsletter. hypocaust (heating) system can still be funds, poor relationships with local people, seen. More obvious and recent were the local , local churches; riots and an Robert Marshall, Editor. losses of shops and houses in was even murdered in 1437. A sorry due to subsidence; Railway Stations, such tale for the ‘whiter than white’ Cistercian Previous Events as in small villages like Mickle Trafford; monks. Lost Buildings of West Cheshire. cottages throughout the county and, of Report by Robert Marshall course, many of the buildings that used to An interesting talk by Tony, taking us to The launch of this exhibition took place on be part of the site the museum sits on! the end of the medieval period. There is 14 January and, as the name indicates, was more information, up to the present day, on aptly timed as ‘Cheshire’ itself starts to - A Failed the above website and, of course, Tony's disappear. It was formally opened by Tom Enterprise? own book "Vale Royal Abbey and the Hughes who said how difficult it is to put Repor t by 1277 - 1538", if you want to on an exhibition about things that mostly Jenny Tyson continue your interest. . This can be no longer exist! The evening of bought from the museum or from 4 February saw the Northwich Heritage Society's own Although the subject matter itself may the Friends website: www.northwich-heritage.org.uk well have disappeared it is amazing following the for the price of £4. that so much of what was is still timeline for known. There were over Vale Royal All The Fun Of The Orbit. Report by Robert Marshall twelve panels of Abbey, ably Hugh Beggs, the speaker for this talk, is information, many guided by Tony one of our regulars and he always gives a photos and Bostock, Chair of good talk. So popular is he that he is now newspaper Northwich Heritage cuttings and Society. We were told even some that the Cistercian monks were given a exhibits charter and a considerable endowment of related lands and churches by Edward 1st in 1270 to build an abbey near .

to some of the lost sites and buildings. However, by 1276 the Abbot decided that a site near Over was better situated, and he Eddisbury Hillfort, dating back to around moved the 50 or so monks, and thus it 1000 b.c., was the oldest site to feature. became known as Vale Royal Abbey. Tony This particular site was fortified as an amazed us by showing us the plans for the booked up to 2012! Anglo-Saxon burh by Aethelfeada (Lady of abbey. It was equal to the size of Hugh started by putting us in our place, in where the canal had collapsed and exhibition was all the work of local artists the universe that is, three quarters of the disgorged thousands of litres of water. The and showed a variety of media and subject. way out from our Galaxy’s core, in one of evidence of a canal dock and the canal Salt, in one form or another featuring countless galaxies. Then it was down to diversion were more obvious, but only after throughout, and I heard many people Earth with a bump as Hugh explained how being pointed out by Colin! comment on which was their own we orbit the Sun, with gravity and inertia in favourite piece. balance. At Marbury Lane we made our meandering way through salt marshes, and reclaimed The exhibition room housed ‘You’ve never After that it was ‘back to school’ drawings land, and passed flashes, none of which had it so good’, a review of the 1950s. The to explain the phases of the Moon, how were actually natural. Colin quoted us some title of this exhibition refers, of course, to eclipses happen and the thorny problem of mind boggling figure as to the volumes of the speech made by Harold Macmillan - in the tides. How the Moon, not the Sun has water that disappeared down the big hole 1957 - to fellow Conservatives in which he the greatest influence on tides, because which formed with the collapse of Ashton said ‘most of our people have never had it being closer is more important than being Mine in 1880. There are miles of footpaths so good.’ So, what were some of the massive. There is a technical term for this, to explore in this area, all with a hidden memorable events of the 50s? but if I write it down he warned that you history to unlock. may not read much more! On 25 We had the added privilege of the Lion Salt D e c e m b e r Hugh continued with an explanation of Works being especially opened for us by 1950 The why the tides are 52 minutes later each day David Roberts, Chair of the Lion Salt ‘Stone of and why there is also a high tide on the Works Trust. Destiny’ was opposite side (not facing the Moon) of the removed Earth. Then it was onto the Four Seasons - from no, not Vivaldi! This was all to do with why Westminster winter is so much colder than summer, i.e. Abbey by the angle of inclination (currently 23.4ºC) Scottish changing the surface area that a given Nationalists. amount of sunlight falls on, and increased cloud cover preventing more of it reaching The Festival the ground. Of Britain was launched in 1951 and John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids was Hugh finished off the talk on the subject of published. tidal bores, Britain having the second This enabled us to see the extent of the largest one, on the River Severn - reaching In 1952 over two thousand people died in a wave height of some seven feet, in the work being carried out using the Heritage London’s smog and Britain tested an Lottery funding. It also enabled us to view World. The variation in tidal heights atomic bomb. In 53 Elizabeth II was between inshore and offshore locations, the exhibition in the Colin Edmondson crowned Queen and Edmund Hillary and Gallery. This had especially excellent maps which means that you can row up and Tenzing Norgay conquered Everest. down hill on the ocean! of the area we had walked through. Some of us then repaired across the road to the The four minute mile barrier was broken This was a thoroughly enjoyable night and Salt Barge pub for lunch. This was an and Tolkien published The Fellowship of excellent follow up to Colin’s talk and showed that learning can be fun. the Ring in 1954. Ruth Ellis was the last presentation at the Friends’ evening talk in woman to be hanged, in 1955 and in 56 the the museum in March. Not So Solid Ground Suez Crisis developed. Then, in 57, we had Report by Jenny Tyson the Macmillan speech. What a treat we had on Sunday 28th March! Colin has written up the research for this Weather fine, a pleasant stroll, lovely walk and others in booklets on sale at the The Munich air crash of 1958 resulted in museum or from Colin. If you missed the countryside, convivial company and expert twenty-three dead, including eight local historian, Colin Edmondson as our opportunity to join this walk, they will be United players. The CND was repeated in the Northwich Heritage week, guide. formed in that year too. The decade ended st th May 31 to June 6 . This is when the with the first hovercraft of the museum celebrates its name change to Channel and Britain's ‘Mini’ car, went on Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse and sale. the opening of a new gallery. Report by Jenny Tyson Now, do you know: A, Who had the first U.K. number 1 chart Salt Of The Earth/You’ve Never Had It So Good hit with ‘Here In My Heart’? Report by Robert Marshall B, What happened to change the World on 18 March was a double launch night with 4 October 1957 and how was Cheshire the 1950s exhibition and in the coffee shop involved? area artwork C, When did food rationing end? from the over 50s D, What year were credit cards introduced? art group. It was E, What organ was the first to be We started our walk in Marston and walked good to see so successfully transplanted in 1954? along the Trent and Mersey canal towards many people F, What did James Watson and Frances the Anderton Boat Lift. We had no idea, attend, over one Crick unlock in 1953? until Colin showed us the old photographs hundred! The art as proof, where the old salt works were, or Finally, to show how fast technology moves, fibre optics were being tested for high even though it’s not as if anyone in the promoting our county's history should speed communication back in 1954, and are room actually wanted to go back to a world receive notice at national level too. The finally being rolled out for broadband of terrible teeth and no loft insulation. It’s project for which you won your place on internet connection over the next few just that every decade eventually dips the shortlist - 'Above The Clouds: Mallory years! below the horizon of human memory, and and Irvine and the Quest for Everest' - this was a chance to look back fondly at shows that what may begin as a Cheshire

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launched and tracked by by tracked and launched News and Notices pass on to all at the Museum our warmest A, Al Martino. B, Sputnik Sputnik B, Martino. Al A, Friends congratulations. If you have already looked at the calendar Regards, Growing up in Liverpool in the of events for this summer you will have 1950s noticed that there are fewer Friends events Rita Lamb’ Report by Rita Lamb organised this year. The summer holidays An evening talk with Jim Finn 27 April are always a busy time for families, so may Museum we pose a question to you? Would you like Northwich Heritage week runs from “Your bedroom looks like a bombsite!” a Friends event, such as a day out Monday 31 May through until Sunday 6 parents still shout at their sulky teenagers, somewhere local? Perhaps you have an idea June. It will involve Anderton Boat Lift, although the chances are neither of them of somewhere or an event that would make Lion Salt Works, the Pumping Station, and has ever seen a bombsite. Jim Finn has. a good day out for us. If so, then this is Witton Church, and the Salt Museum. Growing up in Liverpool after the war he your chance to suggest something, don’t 1,000 ‘Northwich Heritage Week' booklets and his mates used to scour them for wood worry about having to organise it though, are to be printed and given away to they could chop up and sell door-to-door as we can do that. We will review any this series of events. Entry to most of the kindling. suggestions made before the end of June venues will be free to holders of the and let you know of any event(s) that are booklet, so keep a look out for them! Of course just that one image tells you the feasible to arrange for July/August. Send Thanks are due to Northwich Heritage 1950s are now as far away as the your ideas by email to the editor. Society, The Navigation M i d d l e Ages, even though Society and the Friends of The Salt many of the Friends can still The Friends website has been online for Museum for sponsoring the booklets. remember them. And nearly two years now, and we have had over during Jim’s vivid, 500 unique visitors from 24 countries, with Other items fascinating Brazil and America being the most During Witton Church Open Day (Friday, t a l k , 4 June) we hope to allow people up the Tower! Bring your cameras, you can see for miles and miles!

The Girl Guides celebrate 100 years of remember Guiding this year and it is also the we did: you centenary of the death of Florence could see Nightingale. On a more local note it is the th h e a d s 200 anniversary of the birth of Elizabeth common after the U.K. In total we have nodding in sudden recognition as he easily Gaskell. Knutsford was her home and her received just over 4,600 hits. Popular and skilfully summoned up a vanished inspiration for Cranford. There are plenty targets are the Home page, photos, events world where a Boys Brigade trip to the Isle of local events this summer that celebrate and the calendar page. We have also been of Man was thrilling foreign travel. her life and works. contacted on a several occasions by people Synapses dormant for five decades flared who have visited the site. like Olympic torches at the words ‘Lita Library is hosting three events in Rosa’, ‘Saturday matinee’ and ‘saving May which may be of interest to our An open letter to Matt from Rita Lamb stamps’. And the skiffle craze! It wasn’t all readers (to book an event phone 01606 Secretary, Friends of the Salt Museum washboards; it triggered the national rush 552065): ‘Dear Matt, to buy cheap guitars which made On behalf of the Friends I would like to something like the Beatles inevitable. In "Horrible Handwriting for Historians" on congratulate you and all the team at the fact, without the drab old Fifties the Sixties Tuesday 18 May, 10.30 to 12.30. Cheshire Salt Museum for your outstanding would never have swung. Record Office experts will be leading a free achievement in being shortlisted both for workshop on deciphering old handwriting Cheshire's 'Small Visitor Attraction of the Jim had brought his own guitar, and such as wills and deeds. Limited to 20 Year Award' and the national 'Museums amiably tempted us into the occasional sing people. and Heritage 2010 Award' simultaneously. along. With some shock you realized you’d This is a truly remarkable 'double'! not only carried the entire lyrics to ‘Puttin’ "Hilary Green" on Tuesday 18 May, 2.30pm. On The Style’ around in your head for over Hilary is a trained actress and spent many Record visitor figures in the past few half a century, you’d also reached an age years teaching drama including James Bond months show how much you deserve to be where you weren’t embarrassed to sing star Daniel Craig. She writes historical recognised as a successful local attraction, them in public. It was an excellent evening, novels set in World War Two and lives in but it is heartening that your work Calendar of Events Friends Events in bold the Wirral. Tickets are £2 (£1 if a member confined to store. We are very proud of of the Winsford Library friends group). what we have achieved with the Salt (All ‘Activity’ events run from 10am-4pm) Museum since it moved to the London May 15 Film Show: Night at the Museum 2 "Census and Certificates" on Thursday 20 Road site in 1981. Visitor figures have May 7.15 to 9. A talk by the Cheshire fluctuated over the years but we are May 26 Tea & Talk ‘Brit Chic: Fashion on Record Office on finding your ancestors currently experiencing a record demand for Film, 1946-89’ using the census and other materials, our programme of activities – whether it’s May. 27 Film Show: TBC including local examples. for our special exhibitions or the wide variety of school sessions on offer. All Jun. 1 Launch Night ‘The Weaver Looking for ideas for a day out this members of staff here and the Friends of Hall Museum and Workhouse’ summer? the Salt Museum committee have worked Jun. 2/3 Activity: Workhouse Worries Plant Hunters Fair at Norton on 6 extremely hard to make it what it is today – June (Free). a highly regarded museum which has and Jun. 30 Tea & Talk ‘Uncle Bill: The Life and Cheshire County Show at Tabley on 22/23 continues to become part of community Times of Dr Edward Wilson’ June. life in the area. nd Arley Garden Festival at Arley Hall and Jun. 9 (2 ) Visit to Blackden Trust Garden on 26/27 June. We understand that this reputation has Medieval Britain, battle re-enactments, been hard won and we do not intend to Jun. 10 Exhibition Launch: With merchants and fair at Tatton Park on 26/27 jeopardise it under a new name. Instead, Scott to the Pole June. we hope it can go from strength to Jun. 29 Evening Talk ‘In the RHS Show & Floral Walk, Tatton Park strength as we uncover the wide variety of Footsteps of Scott and between 21 & 25 July. stories relating to the area’s unique Shackleton’ Nantwich International Cheese Show on heritage - to appeal to people of all 27 July. backgrounds and interests. We look Jul 21/22 Activity: Ancient Games More details/events can be found at forward too in supporting the future Jul 28 Activity: Roman Soldier Day http://www.favouritedaysoutincheshire resurrection of the Lion Salt Works so that .co.uk/site/events this unique and important site can reveal Jul. 29 Activity: Roman Salt Making Day the history of salt and salt-making in the Aug. 4/5 Activity: Fabulous Felt Curator’s Corner area in a more dynamic way than what we can undertake at this site. We hope that Aug. 11/12 Activity: Beside the Seaside Farewell Salt Museum….Hello you and everyone else in the area will be Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse. able to benefit from having three high-class Aug. 18/19 Activity The Curious World of This really is the visitor attractions (including the Anderton Professor Mace last time I write to Boat Lift) on the doorstep in the future – Aug. 25/26 Activity: Perky Penguins you as Curator of which will be the envy of other towns in the Salt Museum. the country. Our inaugural heritage week Sep. 9 Exhibition Launch: As of Tuesday 1 starting on 31 May will give you a taster of Northwich in the 19 century June 2010 we will what’s to come in the future. become Wea ver Oct. 21 A.G.M. Hal l Museum & We hope that you continue to support us Nov. 18 Exhibition Launch: Workhouse. The as we embark on this exciting journey and ‘Victorian Toys’ decision to relaunch and change the name look forward to showing you the first stage of the museum has not been an easy or of it on 1st June. Nov. 23 Evening Talk ‘Medieval straight-forward one to make and we know Chester’s Trading Links’ that there are some of our supporters who See you then. Dec. 7 Christmas event and talk do not agree with it. We do feel strongly Matt Wheeler, Curator ‘Victorian Optical Toys’ that it is the right course of action to take Salt Museum / Weaver Hall Museum & so that this museum and, in a few years’ Workhouse time, the Lion Salt Works can grow and forge their own identities for the benefit of Ed.On Tuesday 1 June, the museum wi be our visitors. renamed ‘The Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse’, and wi see the opening of the new As many of you may know, the Salt ‘Transport Gaery’, in place of ‘Made om Salt.’ Museum has had a chequered history since The empty Weaver Gaery wi have a new art its first incarnation in the 1880s. The exhibition organised by Patricia Kelsa. collection has moved home several times and also experienced lean years of being

© 2010 The Friends of The Salt Museum. All images used with permission of the copyright owner. Published by the Friends of The Salt Museum. Contact details: Friends of The Salt Museum c/o The Salt Museum, 162 London Road, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 8AB http://fotsm.org.uk Email the editor at [email protected]