Bacup Natural History Society & Museum Newsletter Xmas 2017
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Bacup Natural History Society & Museum Newsletter Xmas 2017 Tel: 01706 870260 e-mail:- [email protected] web-site - www.bacupnaturalhistorysociety.co.uk Here we are with newsletter number three; the feedback on our previous newsletters from members of the public and our own members and friends has been very positive. Bacup Flowerpot Festival Following on from the opening of our Mrs Ibbitt’s 1917 shop and parlour on Easter Saturday earlier this year, Mrs Ibbitts seemed a suitable character to enter in the Bacup Flowerpot Festival in June. At Hallowe’en she was transformed into a witch and we would now be lost without her. Billy Knowles’ War On Saturday 15th July the NAT held a very interesting open day. We were visited by Scott Knowles who told us his own personal true story of his grandfather who was wounded in WW1. Apparently Billy Knowles was a working class weaver before he was called upon to fight in the war. Scott told us of his grandfather’s experience in the trenches; he was wounded quite seriously in battle and Scott described his horrific injuries, his treatment and his subsequent recovery and return to civilian life. In the photograph, Scott shows some of the medical instruments used to treat his grandfather’s wounds. National Lottery Funding – visitors from Heritage Lottery Fund On September 20th this year, 14 visitors came to see us from the North West Branch of the National Lottery Funding including Ms Ros Kerslake, HLF Chief Executive and Sir Neil Cossons, the Head of Heritage Lottery Funding North West. The visitors were absolutely blown away with our latest project Mrs Ibbitt’s 1917 shop and parlour which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Sir Neil Cossons tweeted “Love the Mrs Ibbitts Room" and he continued to say that if he wasn't at a meeting tomorrow he would be coming back to spend the day with us. Needless to say we were all thrilled to bits. He submitted the above photograph for us. Incidentally Sir Neil Cossons was the former Director of the Science Museum in London and former Chairman of English Heritage. The visit to the NAT was mentioned on the internet by The HLF Chief Executive Ros Kerslake (pictured below with Wendy - orange jacket). She said “We visited Pennine Lancashire in the North West, to meet people behind HLF projects and see the difference National Lottery funding is making. Pennine Lancashire is one of our priority areas for funding, and this has been a fascinating week seeing heritage projects from start to finish and the impact National Lottery investment is having on our communities”. “It was really interesting to see just how much the small Bacup Natural History Museum is doing to explore the First World War thanks to a couple of £10,000 small grants made possible with money raised by National Lottery players. Nursing Heroes:The Fern Hill Story, and Keeping the Homes Fires Burning, are two innovative projects creating scenes from life at the local military hospital, to a recreation of Mrs Ibbitt’s 1917 shop, stocking authentic produce grown by local children”. The Lancashire League and the NAT We were pleased to welcome Mr Brian Haywood from Scarborough who is in the process of formulating a bid for Heritage Lottery funding towards a project which highlights the history and achievements of the Lancashire Cricket League, of which Bacup Cricket Club has long been an important member. Following an extensive search through our archives by Tom Lord and museum staff, the resulting photos, medals, scorebooks etc were shown by Tom to Brian, who was very impressed and recorded the items for potential future use in forthcoming presentations. WW1 - Then and Now Programme It has been a pleasure and a privilege to liaise with children from Northern Primary School with Mrs Melvin and the 2nd Rossendale Scout Group with Catherine Smythe. Both groups excitedly watched their crops grow which we helped plant in early Summer as part of the’ WW1 Then and Now Programme’. The children harvested their crops and some of these contributed to the harvest festival in school – some of the crops were then distributed after the festival to needy people in the village. Special thanks to Northern Primary School and 2nd Rossendale Scout Group. The two groups of children also researched town centre shops in Bacup and compared them to the same shops in 1917; they created some interesting literature, some of which we have illustrated. Hallowe’en For the first time ever we opened on Hallowe’en - Tuesday 31st October from 4.30 until 8.00 pm. It was an experiment really and our chance to draw in some of our younger generation. We were unsure how many children would visit us but we were amazed at the number of visitors we received. Our thanks really should go to Wendy Watters who created our Mrs Ibbitts’ spooky, scary dwelling and we had our very own resident vampire who managed to draw in several small children from the street!! WW1 Collection – Saturday 18th November Mr Andrew Mackay visited us to display his private WW1 collection at our open day in November. Andrew is a local WW1 researcher, webmaster of Burnley in the Great War and author of “The Royal Edward Disaster” and “Made of the Right Stuff” – the history of the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers in the Great War. We had a steady flow of visitors young and old and they were very impressed with the display. Some of the weapons looked horrendous and it is scary to think that they were actually used –some of our small visitors were mesmerised. Quiz to raise funds for the NAT Our amazing and supportive Vice-Chairman, Mr Maurice Priest, has drawn up a light-hearted brain teaser/quiz to stimulate the mind but more importantly to enable you to enjoy the challenge of this simple but effective puzzle. It is one A4 sheet of paper so not too long and challenging and each quiz will cost £1 which will go towards the NAT’s funds. The closing date for entries is 4th January; the winner of the quiz will receive £10.00. If you would like to participate, please call in the NAT to pick up a quiz or alternatively if you ask one of our members, we will be delighted to provide you with a copy. Knit & Natter We have a couple of lady members who join us most Thursday evenings and entertain us with their tales; they do indeed ‘knit and natter’. They have knitted various items which they donate to us and which we then sell on our market stall to raise much needed funds for the NAT. Their latest knitted items include beautiful babywear and one of our local shopkeepers has agreed to display them in her window to help the sales along somewhat. So if you would like to see what’s on offer, visit Ann’s Schoolwear on Union Court (just off Union Street, near the entrance to the market) to see these beautiful little knitted garments. Our thanks go to Christine who manages the shop and has agreed to help us in our fund raising. Rossendale Business Awards 2017 We were all absolutely delighted when out hard-working secretary Wendy Watters was nominated to receive a Rossendale Business Award 2017. There were several categories and Wendy was nominated for The Pride of our Valley for her work undertaken at the NAT and the links with the Heritage Lottery Fund which have enabled us to refurbish two rooms at the NAT and bring history alive – the Fern Hill Military Hospital Ward and Mrs Ibbitts’ 1917 shop and parlour. The wording in the nomination also stated that:- “Wendy has also developed and runs the www.bacuptimes.co.uk website which is a vast fascinating source of local historical information and tells the story of Bacup's development from humble beginnings to becoming a leading part of one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution. She is also a key member of the Bacup Save Our Square group which has successfully campaigned against the hugely controversial plans for St James Square and worked very hard to ensure new plans are developed for the square which considerably better address the needs and concerns of local residents and traders. Wendy has also undertaken vast research into the lives of First World War soldiers and has ensured their ultimate sacrifice has been respectfully remembered, including the publishing of books and making social media posts to ensure the anniversary of their deaths is commemorated. She does all this and more without seeking any recognition or reward and her only goal is to make her native town and valley a better place for all who live, work and visit here. Wendy is fine outstanding charitable person our Valley can be truly proud of”. The Rossendale Business Awards contacted Wendy:- Congratulations on being nominated for Pride of Our Valley at R-Awards 2017. In recognition of your achievement, we have attached a special logo for you to use on your website, social media and email signature. Wendy, off course, will now be proudly using the above logo. Wendy progressed to the second round of the competition but was unfortunately pipped at the post at the final awards ceremony by Bacup’s Royal Court Theatre who have really risen from the ashes so-to-speak and we have to admit they were a very worthy winner. It doesn’t take off the glow however of Wendy’s achievement and the NAT’s pride to have her on board.