YORKSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY INDUSTRIAL HISTORY SECTION

NEWSLETTER 104 AUTUMN 2018 (website edition – this edition is incomplete as some items/illustrations from the original newsletter are not available electronically)

EDITORIAL

Welcome to the start of another season of lectures and events. I hope you have enjoyed the wonderful weather we have had over the summer (unless of course you don’t like the heat) and managed to visit some sites of interest. I didn’t have much opportunity during my holidays in Arran and Suffolk to see a lot of industrial history, although our hotel window on Oulton Broad looked out on Mutford Lock, the only lock on the Broads, where it was interesting to observe the bridge on the main road which had to lift every time a yacht or large motor boat passed through the lock. Needless to say it was quite disruptive for the traffic. At the beginning of September I attended the AIA Conference based in Nottingham, I will produce a report of the Conference for the next Newsletter and as usual there will be a report in IA News.

Once again my thanks to Jane Ellis for organising another interesting and wide ranging series of lectures for our 2018/19 programme. Details are enclosed with this Newsletter and are available on the YAHS website on the Industrial History Section page. As we discussed at the AGM, an extra lecture has been added to the programme to give members more value for their subscription so don’t forget the lecture programme starts on 22 September. Also enclosed are the minutes of the 2018 AGM held on 28 April, if anyone who was at the meeting spots any corrections to the minutes please let me know – contact details as usual at the end of the Newsletter.

It’s too late to remind members about the visit to the Calderdale Industrial Museum on 6 September I was unable to attend but I hope it went well. Recent YAHS excursions have generally not been well supported, so it would be interesting to find out If IHS members have suggestions for our visits or even better be prepared to help organise something, please let me or Jane know.

With a bit more time to produce this latest newsletter, I have resumed summarising the content of the early Section Newsletters. In doing this I was struck by the number and quality of the articles produced by members for inclusion in the Newsletters. Many were referenced and some quite lengthy which have made for very interesting reading. So a request to members – if you are working on some personal research, why not write it up and send it to me, it doesn’t need to be fully complete and could include a request for more information. It would be good to share this with other members, make the Newsletter more interesting and save work for me in trying to fill the pages! Also a request for members to send me any local news relevant to members instead of just relying on me to find things – I’m sure there must be more going on across Yorkshire.

The Yorkshire Industrial Heritage Online (YIHO) database continues to grow thanks to the work of a group of dedicated contributors led by John Suter and Robert Vickers. You can view it online via the YAHS website. It’s a pity that our nomination for the AIA’s Peter Neaverson Award for Digital Initiative and Innovation was not successful but I have been told that the judges were impressed and would welcome a re-application for the 2019 Award. The winner was a series of 3D images reconstructing the lead smelting sites of the Allen Smelt Mill and Allenheads Mine Yard in Northumberland.

I am very pleased to report that the Section has eight new members who have joined since the last Newsletter, the highest number for some time. Welcome to Ms Sophie Adamson, Mr David Cockcroft, Mr Stephen Harker, Mrs Freda Matthews, Mr Graham Rawson, Mr Peter Richardson, Ms Karen Sayers and Dr Shelagh Waddington. I hope you will be able to join us for the lectures in the coming season.

I shall be producing the next Newsletter in early February 2019, please let me have any contributions by the end of January. I hope to see many of you at the forthcoming lectures.

Margaret Tylee

YAHS NEWS

The YAHS AGM was held on 30 June 2018 with about 25 YAHS members present. The Treasurer gave an extensive report on the Society’s finances commenting that although 2017 showed a deficit on running costs this did include five months of dual running for accommodation which will not be repeated now that the Society is fully established at Stringer House. He continues to work on sorting out bank accounts and the Section at last has its own account. Although formally the Annual Report covers 2017, the meeting was updated on the successful launch of the new website which incorporates the YIHO database. A Grants fund of £5k has been established and application forms are available via the website. A decision was made to abolish the YAHS Council which over the years since the Management Board had been established had increasingly lost its purpose even as an advisory body to the Board. Some changes were made to the Society’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, including the removal of references to the Council and the need for new members to be proposed by existing members and provide information about themselves to justify their admission as a member. This is something that many of us have suggesting for many years to make the Society seem less stuffy so it has been achieved at last.

Management Board have agreed to discuss with Special Collections at the Brotherton Library the idea of establishing a YAHS Research Fellowship. This would enable funds to be available for short term placements to work with the Society’s Collections with a view to promoting them and/or developing proposals for grant applications e.g. digitisation. Ideas such as this are examples of ways in which funding can be made available to fulfil our charitable aims, instead of having to spend resources on maintaining our own building.

Following the launch of the new YAHS website in February, the group working with the external provider Purple Creative Solutions is continuing to meet to review the site and deal with some outstanding issues, the major one being establishing the process by which would be members can join and existing members renew their subscriptions online linked to the YAHS membership records and automatically update those records. This has proved to be more difficult than was initially thought, partly due to problems with the format of the existing membership records linking with the sales function provided with the new website but hopefully now well on the way to being resolved. If anyone does spot any problems when using any areas of the site please either myself or Robert Vickers know.

OTHER NEWS ITEMS

An archaeological dig funded by the National Lottery has discovered a previously unknown part of the Milton Ironworks at Elsecar. The remains of a calcining kiln used to roast the iron ore prior to smelting was found by a team of community volunteers supervised by a professional team of archaeologists who were aware that there had been a series of kilns in the Ironworks but were not sure where. Geophysics carried out by Historic England in 2017 had identified an anomaly at the site, which proved to be the kiln. The Milton Ironworks were originally established by the Walker Company and named in honour of Lord Milton, the son and heir of the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. It was developed from 1798 and by 1840 a tramroad was established to link the site to the Elsecar Branch of the Dearne & Dove Canal. After a series of owners it was run by William and Henry Dawes from 1849, it was a major source of iron for bridges and other large structures but a down turn in the market led to its closure in 1884. An article on page 247 of The Engineer on 25 September 1885 gives a good description of the closure and dismantling of the Works. The site was used as a tip and subsequently grassed over to become a playing field where the dig took place. Another find was an unusual stamped brick from a brickworks close to the Milton Ironworks.

Still on bricks – the Barnsley Brick Project, an exhibition currently on show at Experience Barnsley Museum in Barnsley Town Hall explores the history of the brickmaking industry in the Barnsley area. There were more than 20 brickworks in Barnsley with many local villages having their own brickworks. Local artist Patrick Murphy became interested in bricks after finding named bricks in his father’s garden and put out a request for local people to send in bricks and was surprised at the good response, some of which will be on display. He has identified the locations on maps from the 1800s which are also on display. I have visited it and although small it is well worth a visit and also includes a video showing how bricks are currently made at the Carlton Brickworks in Barnsley. The exhibition runs from 28 July until 14 October. More information from www.experience-barnsley.com

A recent survey by Leeds Council of buildings at risk identified 120 listed buildings in the city in danger of falling into disrepair, an increase of 23 grade I and II listed buildings. These include Temple Mill, Tower Works Engine House, the First White Cloth Hall and parts of the former Kirkstall Forge Ironworks including the buildings with the helve hammers and slitting mill machinery. The Council has allocated nearly £6million over a three year period towards the repair of Council owned heritage properties, but privately owned properties are more of a problem. It commented that the increase is mainly due to improvements in recording rather than sudden decline.

Still with Leeds, May 1968 saw the closure of Middleton Broom Pit after more than 200 years of mining coal and transporting it to Leeds via the Middleton Railway. There will be special commemorative weekend on 29/30 September at the Railway but this is only part of a larger project funded by Leeds City Council to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the closure. The project has four strands: the production of booklets describing the history of coalmining in the area and distribution of the booklets to local schools; assembling a collection of photographs recording the history of the pit; collecting memories from those who worked there and lived nearby and creating and assembling a memorial plaque for those whose who worked at Middleton Broom Pit, in particular those who lost their lives.

One of the benefits of attending the Association for Industrial Archaeology Conferences is receiving the extensive tour notes and Gazetteers of the area covered by the conference (although unfortunately due to lack of time in organising this year’s conference it proved too late to produce a gazetter). The majority of these have now been scanned and are available to download as a pdf from the AIA website (www.industrial- archaeology.org) Follow the links to Publications – Gazetteers and you can find the guides to the Industrial Heritage of produced for the 1989 conference and the Gazetteer for the South Yorkshire conference held in 1995, amongst many others. These two publications are almost IA relics in themselves now as many of the sites are long gone but still make interesting reading.

A soon to be published book on the Alum Industry will be of interest to members. Peter Appleton’s book “A Forgotten Industry” is due for publication on 1 October 2018 and describes the alum shale industry of North East Yorkshire from 1600-1870, including quarrying, processing and transporting the final product. The book also covers the early history of alum from Egyptian and Roman times. Published by Boroughgate Books price £15 and should be available from bookshops and Amazon.

Another book due to be published is Early Railways 6, the proceedings of the sixth Early Railway Conference held in Newcastle in June 2016. The papers show that there is plenty of research being carried out across the world covering the social, economic and technological history of early railways. The book edited by Anthony Coulis will be published by Six Martlets Publishing on behalf of the conference sponsors – the Newcomen Society, the Railway & Canal Historical Society, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the National Railway Museum. The discounted price will be £35 plus £3.50p&p. All subscribers will receive the book at the discounted price and have their subscription acknowledged in the book. The subscription list closes on 15 October 2018 and the book will be published shortly after but not at the discounted price. More information at www.earlyrailways.org.uk and from the publishers [email protected]

IHS members may recall Section member Brian Slater whose death was reported in Newsletter 96 Early Spring 2016. Brian had been an active member of the Section giving talks and leading walks. He was also a member of the Railway & Canal Historical Society and the Railway Ramblers. On 23 August there was a ceremony at the site of Escrick Station to install a plaque in his memory. The plaque had been funded by the Railway Ramblers who had been fundraising for some time for this, including ticket sales from the Derwent Valley Light Railway Day. Escrick Station had been on the old East Coast Main Line between and York which is now a cycle way owned by Sustrans since the diversion was put in place when the was developed following fears of subsidence. Interestingly the diversion had been engineered by section member John Meredith. There was nothing to suggest that there had been a station there, so it is a fitting memorial and has led to proposals for information boards to be erected showing the station when it was operational. If you are in the area go and have a look and remember Brian.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

2018 18 September Dolomite Quarry Tour. Railway Ramblers visit to the limestone quarry near Conisborough, walking along a disused railway line to the quarry where the staff will give a demonstration of stone extraction and cutting. After lunch a trackbed walk taking in the Conisborough Viaduct, tramways and a boat dock on the River Don. Meet Conisborough Station at 10am and bring a packed lunch. Numbers are needed, book with leader Richard Lewis

24 September Armour for the Grand Fleet – David Boursnell. Newcomen Society, South Yorkshire lecture. Kelham Island Museum, Alma Street, Sheffield S3 8RY. 6.30-8.15pm. No charge and visitors welcome. Details from John Suter at [email protected]

29/30 Last Coals to Leeds. A weekend of events at the Middleton Railway commemorating 50 September years since the closure of Middleton Broom Pit and the use of the railway to transport the coal. Moor Road, Hunslet, Leeds, LS10 2JQ. Details at www.middletonrailway.org.uk.

4 October Men of Lead: Miners in the Yorkshire Dales – David Joy. Upper Wharfedale Heritage Group talk. Soroptomist Rooms, 28 Otley Road, Skipton. 7.30pm. £3 for non-members. Contact Vera Brearey,

6 October Boats in a Coal Mine: the 18th century Ships in the Aire at Methley – John Buglass. Harrogate Archaeological Society talk. Harlow Hill Methodist Church, Otley Road, Harrogate. 2.30pm Non-members £3. Contact Janis Heward

6 October EMIAC 95. Keeping One in Suspenders Industrial History Day organised by the Leicestershire Industrial History Society looking at the industries in Market Harborough. Lectures in the morning followed by afternoon tours. Roman Way Community Centre, Market Harborough LE16 7PQ 9am – 4.30pm. Cost £15 includes buffet lunch and refreshments. Details and booking form available by searching EMIAC 95 online or emailing [email protected]. Closing date for booking 29 September.

13 October Outwood to Castleford 7 mile railway Ramblers walk exploring the GN, L&Y & Methley Joint Railways. Meet leader Mike Warrington at 10.30am Bus Station for bus to start. Walking boots essential and bring a packed lunch. Details from leader on 01977 614954 or 07785962243(on day of walk)

14 October Walsden. Calderdale Heritage Walk looking at the area and its local transport systems. Meet Anne Mealia at 2.15pm outside Walsden Station OL 14 7ST. Cost £3 per person no need to book just turn up. Details at www.calderdalheritagewalks.org.uk

22 October A History of Metal Fatigue and the Development of an Understanding of what it is and why it still causes Problems – Professor Roderick A Smith. Newcomen Society South Yorkshire lecture. Details as for 24 September.

24 October The History of the Whitby to Loftus Railway- Dr Michael Williams. Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society talk. Normanby Room, Whitby Museum. 2.15pm. Contact Hazel Wright email [email protected].

25 October From Scribes to Digital Printing: printing and printing machine making in the 19th & 20th centuries. Skipton & Craven Historical Society talk. Swadford Centre, Swadford Street, Skipton. 7.30pm. Non-members £2. Contact Dr Kenneth Jackson.

28 October Lower Raistrick. Calderdale Heritage Walk exploring the area where Raistrick meets Brighouse. Meet Ian Philp at 2.15pm in the carpark adjoining the assembly Rooms, Briggate, Brighouse. HD6 1EL. Details as for 14 October

3 November Life in a Railway Community – David Thomas. Railway & Canal Historical Society (NE Branch) talk. Railway Institute, Queen Street, York. 2pm. Suggested donation of £2 for Non- members. Contact Brian Freeborn.

10 November The Leeds, Castleford & Junction Railway, East to Woodlesford. 7 mile Railway Ramblers walk following the branch via the recently opened St Aidans RSPB reserve visiting the information centre and then the Aire & Calder Navigation to Woodlesford Station. Walking boots essential and bring a packed lunch. Meet leader Michael Warrington at East Garforth Station at 10.46am. Contact Details as for 13 October.

26 November The Development of the Engineering Drawing Office 1780-1980 – Ivor Lewis. Newcomen Society South Yorkshire lecture. Details as for 24 September

28 November Isambard Kingdom Brunel – Patrick Argen. Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society talk. 2.15pm. Details as for 24 October.

1 December Pocklington Canal – Alistair Anderson. Railway & Canal Historical Society (NE branch) talk. Details as for 3 November

11 December Wensleydale: an Industrial Landscape – Tony Keates. Northallerton & District Local History Society talk. 7pm Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall, Thirsk Road, Northallerton. £3 for non- members. Contact Mike Sanders

2019 5 January The Rosedale to Battersby Railway – Toby Daniels. Railway Canal & Historical Society (NE Branch) talk. Details as for 3 November 2018.

9 January Saltaire Tunnels – Letitia Lawson. Bradford Historical & Antiquarian Society talk. Bradford Club, Piece Hall Yard, Bradford BD1 1PJ 10.30am. Contact Betty Woodrow

28 January Who Designed the Clifton Suspension Bridge-Fact or Fiction- Julia Elton. Newcomen Society South Yorkshire lecture. Details as for 24 September 2018

REPORTS OF EVENTS

David Crossley: his Archaeological and Historical Achievements and Contributions. 30 May 2018 Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield

About 50 friends and colleagues met to recognise and celebrate David’s enormous contribution to the world of industrial archaeology both nationally and locally. The meeting had been organised by the Historical Metallurgy Society with no cost for attendees apart from requesting a donation for the excellent buffet lunch. The day was welcomed and introduced by Helen Featherstone, the Director of the Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust (SIMT) and Justine Bayley from the Historical Metallurgy Society. The first morning session consisted of four short presentations from people who had known and worked with David Crossley during the 60s and early 70. Faith Cleverden remembered his archaeological work in Wales in the 1960s before he moved to Sheffield becoming active in Adult Education. Harold Mytum described their involvement in setting up the Society for Post Medieval Archaeology with David becoming the Editor of the Journal for 10 years. Jeremy Hodgkinson from the Wealden Iron Research Group spoke about excavations in the Weald and David’s production of the book Iron Industry of the Weald which is an invaluable resource. Justine Bayley ended this session by talking about David’s work with the Historical Metallurgy Society, he was the Secretary in 1970 and later joint Editor with Justine until just before he died.

After a short break the meeting continued with three more contributions. Peter White, a retired Inspector of Ancient Monuments recalled his friendship with David stretching back 50 years commenting that David bridged the gap between traditional archaeology and the approach taken when looking at industry. David Stocker, a case worker for English Heritage described David’s role in the Industrial Monuments Protection Programme including developing the methodology used in the process. Marilyn Palmer focussed on David’s contribution to continuing adult education in the area of industrial archaeology when he was at the University of Sheffield and she expressed regret that he had never been given a Chair by the University.

After lunch and a chance to catch up with colleagues and pay a quick visit to the Kelham Island Museum and the Hawley Collection for some, we resumed for the afternoon which focused on David’s work and teaching in and around Sheffield with Keith Crawshaw, Deputy Chair of SIMT and Chair of the Ken Hawley Collection Trust. He spoke at some length about David’s involvement with both organisations (which resulted in the afternoon programme running nearly half an hour late). Lynn Willies had worked with him on excavations as a student in the 1960s and commented that he never pushed himself forward and you were lucky if he managed to find his way into photographs. Brian Harrison-Jennings had been a teacher in Sheffield in the late 60s and remembered attending David’s lectures on economic and social history teaching him to be aware of the wider context of history on the ground. Neville Flavell had also attended David’s lectures and worked with him on the book Water Power on Sheffield Rivers and as a PhD student examining the Fairbank Collection in Sheffield Archives. David had been a past President of the South Yorkshire Industrial History Society and the current President Tony Ball spoke about his excavation at Rockley Furnace and his involvement at Abbeydale and Bower Spring. Paul Belford represented the next generation of archaeologists attending David’s adult education course while working for ARCUS, the University of Sheffield’s Archaeology Unit, he was now at the Ironbridge Museum excavating an early cementation furnace, which David would have been very interested in. The final contribution in this section came from Anna Badcock who had met David in 1992 while at the University of Sheffield and shared an interest in landscape archaeology.

The final section of the day covered David’s contributions to the study of glass. Caroline Jackson said that David had made a major contribution to the history of glass making with the publication of 20 significant papers between 1967-2009 covering not only the excavations but also researching the associated infrastructure- who was doing what and how. Jenny Price was a fellow Trustee of the Association for the History of Glass in the 1980s, David became the Treasurer and helped with planning and fund raising. The day finished with Alan Aberg who had worked with him at the Rosedale Glass Furnace between 1968-71, his presentation was illustrated and confirmed what an earlier speaker had said – David was always in the background or not in the photo at all. A very modest man who had influenced so many.

As can be seen from the above, it was an ambitious programme with perhaps too many separate presentations, but it did the job of highlighting David Crossley’s enormous contribution to the study of industrial archaeology especially in the field of iron and glass -.only some of which I was aware of. This was well illustrated by the fact that one of the handouts was a five and a half A4 page document listing his publications; the earliest in 1963 on hill forts and other earthworks in Pembrokeshire to 2013 with an article for the Historical Metallurgy Society on the supply of fuel for post medieval metal industries. Thanks to Justine for organising the event.

Margaret Tylee

MORE FROM THE FIRST 100 ISSUES OF THE SECTION’S NEWSLETTERS

After a gap in the last Newsletter I have resumed my summaries of the early Newsletters. We had reached number 30 Summer 1989 in the Early Spring Newsletter 102, so we continue from number 31.

Issue 31 Spring 1990 There had been a gap from the summer 1989 and this was a bumper issue. The newsletter started with a report from the March AGM. I had resigned as Excursions Secretary after 8 years due to moving to work at the British Library in London, Nancy Cooper continued as Secretary and Ted Connell as Chair; Ron Howard took over from Harry Houghton as Vice Chair. The Section’s Occasional Paper No 1 was published “Engineering in Leeds: the first 50 years” by Ted Connell price 75p. This turned out to be every Librarian’s nightmare because no further Occasional Papers were published. The Section was registered as participants in Yorkshire TV’s Yorkshire History Fellowship at Hull University and was given the loan of a video camera but the only mention of this being followed up was a plan to video an interview with someone who worked at the Blackburn Aeroplane Company on Roundhay Road, I’m not sure whether this was ever carried out. Trevor Lyons as the Section rep gave a report of the latest development with the Eye on the Aire project to improve the river and canal for recreational purposes. Trevor also contributed the first of a series of articles on the Industrial Buildings of Leeds. This was on William Paul’s Oak Tannery, Kirkstall Road complete with illustrations of the building and some of its products. There were reports on the lectures given in the 1989/90 programme: The Diversification of West Yorkshire Industry in the late 19th century – Dr David Jenkins; Photography and Reform, the case of the Quarry Hill Insanitary area – Janet Douglas; Leeds and the Leather Trade from 1800 – Trevor Lyons; Some Structural aspects of the Textile Mill – Ron Fitzgerald; Local Mathematicians & Inventors of the 16th Century – Joan Thornes.

Issue 32 Autumn 1990. Trevor Lyons wrote about Hunslet Mills in the second in the series Industrial Buildings of Leeds. There was a report on the Section visit to J.L. Brierley’s Mill at Turnbridge, Huddersfield when members were taken round by the Managing Director John Brierley and shown all the processes and the remains of the beam engine which originally drove the machinery. Thwaite Mills was opened to the public in April with Mr Horn the previous owner and his family in attendance. Bob Cooper described a passage across the North Sea in the steam coaster VIC 56 where he helped as one of the engineers. David George provided a report on a conference held at the Mersyside Maritime museum and an update on the restoration of Manchester’s Liverpool Road Station.

Issue 33 Spring 1991. The AGM reported that there was still a vacancy for an Excursions Secretary and that I was returning from London later in 1991 and agreed to take over as Assistant Secretary. The Section was invited to join the Georgian Section (now long gone) on a coach trip to the Silk Museum in Macclesfield. Reports from the 1990/91 season were included apart from Mike Gill’s on Leadmining postponed due to heavy snow and the final lecture which was cancelled at the last minute. Dr Ivor Brown spoke on the Old Quarries of Yorkshire; Kate Mason on Woolcomber, Worsteds and Waterwheels (jointly with the Local History Section (now also long gone); Dr P Townhill on Silk in West Yorkshire and Dr Chartres on Traffic Trades and Towns:18th century Yorkshire Perspective. There was a lengthy article by Ivor Brown on Preserving Part of West Yorkshire’s Coal Mining Heritage – the Background to Britain’s Latest Mining Museum i.e. Caphouse. There was a report of a visit to Holmbridge Mill near Huddersfield prior to its conversion to Housing.

Issue 34 Autumn 1991. There was a lot of small snippets of news, articles on the regeneration of Manchester’s Central Station into GMEX by Ron Howard and the revival of the use of fireclay for buildings in Leeds by Brian Godward. Trevor Lyon’s exploration of Temple and Marshalls Mills was the third in his series of Industrial Building of Leeds. There was an obituary by Ruth Annison for Arthur Raistrick and information about forthcoming day schools.

Issue 35 Spring 1992. The AGM resulted in me becoming Secretary taking over from Nancy Cooper who had been the Secretary for 20 years, also elected were Ted Connell as Section Chair and Ron Howard as Vice Chair. No-one volunteered to become Excursions Secretary but I organised a visit to Batley Carr Mills to be held in May. Details of a number of courses were included including the programme of events from Eye on the Aire. Ivor Brown concluded his article from Newsletter 33 on the development of as the Yorkshire Mining Museum. There were reports from the 1991/2 lecture series which were Sir George Cayley by John Bagley; the Preservation & Restoration of the Lion Salt Works by Andrew Fielding; Economic & Polite Geology: the Early Victorian Yorkshire Geological Society by Jack Morel (joint with main Society); Conservation & Housekeeping in the National Trust by Ted Connell; the Ravenscar Alum Works by Gary Marshall and Pudsey- Housing and Industry by Ruth Strong (joint with the Local History Section). Reports were included from the AIA Conference in Dudley and a visit to Leeds Library in October 1991. Finally Trevor Lyons wrote an article on Proto-Industrialisation. Quite a bumper issue!

Issue 36 Autumn 1992. The main Society had agreed at its AGM in June to increase subscriptions from 1993 and the Section agreed to an increase to £6.50 for Section only members and £3 for Society members from 1 January 1993. The Section was represented at a meeting to discuss the setting up of an Industrial Archaeology Panel for North East England under the auspices of the Council for British Archaeology. This issue saw the first of a compilation of industrial history notes from around the Yorkshire Region, including a mention of the Orgreave Works being demolished. There were reports of the AIA weekend at Ironbridge which had discussed progress with the AIA database of industrial sites (sound familiar?); the National Conference on Britain’s Coal Mining Heritage and the Section visit to Joshua Ellis & Sons, Batley Carr Mills, Dewsbury which at that time still employed about 250 staff and produced Burberry scarves amongst other things (note in 2004, the company moved from the site and it was subsequently redeveloped for housing but the grade II listed mill together with other buildings were retained).

Issue 37 Spring 1993. This issue saw the start of the welcome to new members being included and recorded 10 new members. The News section recorded the closure of the last coal mines in Barnsley on 30 October 1992 bringing to an end an industry in Barnsley where records go back to 1293 and the opening of a beer and brewing museum at Tetleys in Leeds due at Easter 1994. The following lectures were reported: Amy Johnson, the Flying Feminist by David George; Lead Mining at Grassington by Mike Gill; The Shoddy Industry by Brian Haigh; Medieval Cloth Industry and its Expansion in the Upland West Riding by David Northcliffe; E.E. Slater of Yeadon, Mill Manager by John Telford (joint with Local History Section) and Industrial Model Villages by Cyril Peace (joint with Local History Section). There was a report of the AIA Conference in Cirencester and Bob Cooper’s visit to the National Fishing Heritage Centre in Grimsby. David George contributed a note on Pennine Heritage and the Regeneration of Textile Mills in West Yorkshire and there was a referenced article by Trevor Lyons on Bradford and the Rise of the Worsted Trade.

Issue 38 Autumn 1993. The Section had produced a new membership leaflet which was distributed with the Newsletter to members and there was a brief report of a successful Open Day at Claremont where Chris Rule brought along and demonstrated a table top braid knitting machine and Bob Cooper ran a mystery objects quiz. A lengthy article described how the AIA’s IRIS (Index Record for Industrial Sites) initiative would work. The objective was to enhance the County Sites and Monuments Records (SMRs) by volunteers manually completing forms describing industrial sites for submission to relevant SMR computer systems and the AIA. There was a lengthy list of site terms to be used. There were reports from the 2nd Annual Conference on Regenerating Textile Mills; a joint visit by coach to the Peak Alum Works, Ravenscar with the National Trust (Leeds & District Association) and the Local History Section and to the Wet Earth Colliery at Clifton near Salford. The latter involved an underground visit to explore James Brindley’s tunnel system used to drain the colliery when according to my report I managed to drop the battery which powered my 10 year old son’s lamp, on his foot – I have no memory of this so must have erased it from my mind! Sheila Bye wrote an article on the Rise and Demise of Mr Murray’s Round Building, describing the history of the Round Foundry and its destruction by fire in 1875. David George contributed a piece on the de-industrialisation of the South Lancashire coal field.

Issue 39 Spring 1994. At the AGM, David Cant was appointed Vice Chair since Ron Howard had decided to stand down, Ted Connell and I were elected unopposed. There was a discussion about the extent of the Section’s involvement in the IRIS initiative when it was felt that it would be difficult to find the time to provide all that was required (which indeed it subsequently proved to be). Reports on the 1993/4 lectures were given as follows: Elsecar at Barnsley- its History & Development by Antony Gaynor; the West Yorkshire Textile Engineering Industry 1780-1850 by Gillian Cookson; The Evaluation of Wind Power in East Yorkshire with Reference to the Industrialisation of Hull by Roy Gregory; The Leeds and Liverpool Canal by David Blackburn; Conversion of a Mill into an Industrial Museum by Peter Kelley (Joint with Local History Section). There were reports from a Day School on the Future of South Yorkshire’s Industrial Heritage and the AIA Conference in Cumbria. Trevor Lyons wrote a researched article on The Decline in the Importance of the Woollen Trade and the Changing Nature of the Textile Industry in Leeds.

Issue 40 Summer 1994. This issue was circulated with a Past Times catalogue, it had been agreed that it would be circulated with the Newsletter and in return Past Times would pay for the cost of postage. There was a report from a recent meeting of the NE Industrial Archaeology Panel which had been set up by the Council for British Archaeology and a special offer from the AIA for free membership to any Society who could complete 100 or more IRIS forms in a year. As I pointed out in the Newsletter this was rather academic for us because we had never been contacted by the AIA or local SMRs with regard to setting up the scheme for Yorkshire. There was a report of a Section visit to the Thackray Medical Museum and a walking tour of Silkstone. Finally an article by Ted Connell on Iron Smelting in Kirkby Overblow and the Forest of Knaresborough.

To be continued to bring the summaries up to Newsletter 50.

Margaret Tylee

INDUSTRIAL HISTORY SECTION OFFICERS 2018/2019 Chair & Membership Secretary Vice-Chair and Newsletter Editor Lecture Secretary

Robert Vickers Margaret Tylee Jane Ellis

Email: Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] industrialhistorylectures@yahs. org.uk