Newsletter 12 May 2016 In this issue Chairman’s update Chairman’s update Welcome to another newsletter Nottingham Evening Post as part A round-up of FONA – the first since two important of its ‘Good Deeds Campaign’. news by Richard Gaunt changes in our working The article – which can be viewed environment. First, at our Annual at http://www.nottinghampost. Bring a picture General Meeting on 5 March, com/Good-Deeds-Notts-Archive- FONA adopted (by unanimous volunteering-chance-hold/ FONA members share vote) a new constitution, agreeing story-28585612-detail/story. the stories behind items to all the motions which had html - featured two long-standing from their personal previously been put-out for volunteers (and friends of the archive consultation. This means that we archives), Jim and Pauline Chettle. are now operating under reformed The piece highlighted the Protecting our procedures and an extended remit to act as a user group as well as intellectual property a friends organisation. Second, FONA member Bob the new community benefits Stoakes describes the organisation ‘Inspire’ began its plans to protect our logo contract to manage the archives service on 1 April. We look Mr Sanderson’s forward to working with Inspire in supporting and sustaining the remarkable (circular) service we love and value for many Jim and Pauline with Ruth Imeson, map Team Manager Nottinghamshire years to come. Archives and Richard Gaunt. Cherry Knight reports on Adrian Henstock’s I would also like to take this many valuable benefits to be presentation of this opportunity to welcome Howard gained through volunteering amazing cartographic Parker, who was elected as a new activities. Volunteers contribute committee member at the AGM. a tremendous amount of feat Howard is well known for his time, energy, enthusiasm and work with the Thomas Forman knowledge, whether working Nottingham’s historic Preservation Society. We look in the archives or from home. green spaces forward to Howard’s advice and Without their many and varied Judith Mills with an counsel in future meetings. contributions – from cleaning and flattening individual items to update on this research listing, indexing, and inputting project by the University The importance of volunteeers catalogues – the archives would be of Nottingham further behind in its never-ending FONA received a welcome publicity quest to preserve, maintain, and boost when Nottinghamshire provide increased access to its rich Archives featured in the treasure trove of historical material. Donations and gifts is very limited. The spaces are primarily for staff and the two We continue to be in discussions disabled spaces are a statutory over donations to support the requirement. archives. In April, FONA supported a ‘thank you’ lunch for staff and Any remaining spaces may be volunteers, in order to mark the used by visitors, free of charge, transition from Nottinghamshire on a first come, first served County Council to Inspire. The basis. Unfortunately, there is no event was a great success and we possibility of making any further hope to hold another one in due spaces available. When the car course. We are also planning a park is full, the barrier is lowered purchase which will support the the convenience of users will, we to prevent potential accidents. archives’ conservation programme. hope, also help to raise our profile Those already parked can exit the One potential model would be as an organisation. car park by obtaining a token from a ‘sponsor a book/manuscript/ reception. archive’ scheme, of the sort which organisations such as the British Recent accessions Please do not complain to the staff Library maintain. This would We are pleased to attach a about this - it is not their fault and enable a tangible connection detailed list of recent acquisitions they cannot do anything about it. between FONA’s fundraising to the archives. This shows the activities and the outcome of continuing wide range of material better preserved archive assets. which is taken-in by the archives If you have any thoughts on the and the wealth of individuals Keep in touch Please let us know what you shape this scheme could take, and institutions who remain to think of FONA and its activities as or would like to offer financial be signed up as Friends! Please well as the changes taking place assistance towards it, please continue to spread the word and at the archives. We continue to don’t hesitate to contact me on encourage membership. The welcome offers of support and [email protected] annual individual subscription includes free attendance at all contributions, as well as items for the newsletter and the website. In the meantime, users of the FONA events – which represents Most of all, we continue to value search room will notice a new exceptional value for money! your membership and attendance (and welcome) stock of FONA at events. pencils, in suitably-emblazoned Car Parking holders sporting our logo. This As many of you will be aware, Richard Gaunt small but useful contribution to car parking space at the Archives Bring a picture On 30 January 2016, FONA held of photographs connected the latest in its popular series with Thomas Forman Printers. of ‘bring a document’ events, The company had been part of organised by Sheila Leeds.This Mardon Packaging Group since time, members were asked to bring a photograph which ‘told the late 1950s and this remained a story’. We reflect here on some the case until 1984 when the of the fascinating episodes which company learned they no longer came to light. featured in the Group’s long term plans and were seeking a buyer. Noel Marshall called his Despite strenuous efforts by the had been agreed with Robert contribution ‘The Day I met Cap’n management to effect a buy-out, Maxwell and they were Bob’. He showed a montage they were informed that a deal to become part of the British Printing Corporation. Askern Yorkshire. Research showed Elizabeth Robinson brought that he had been in charge of the three photographs of the Gandy Within hours of the Manor Baths in Askern Spa when family. Her mother’s parents, Edwin announcement, the management these rivalled Harrogate Spa. Later Gandy and Caroline Gamble, team were summoned to meet Mr he ran The Swan Hotel, also in were born in 1875 and married Maxwell. As was customary, the Askern. The mineral water which in 1901. They had five daughters, meeting was held on a Sunday supplied the spa disappeared when but her mother was the only one at 10am at Maxwell House in the coal mine was opened and a to marry, so the other four sisters Holborn. The Forman’s team were boating lake was made where the spent the rest of their lives in the there on the dot! Their next task spa had been. family home they had moved into was to reach his office on the in 1913. The family had a natural next to highest floor (the top floor Derek Walker’s story began inclination to save everything, was reserved for his helicopter!). with a letter he received from a made easier because they never After at least four security men lady at the University of Berkeley moved. In 1995, Elizabeth had and waits in ante rooms they were who had a visiting scholarship to sell the house and sort the almost there. One by one they and was working on the Parole contents. She saved all the papers were introduced. Evidence Rule. The investigation and her friend, Marjorie Penn, an led to Eakring, where the case of archivist, offered to sort and index The door opened and there was the 3rd Earl of Rutland - who had them. They were then accepted by this enormous man seated in married a girl who brought no Nottinghamshire Archives. the distance of an enormous money to the estate - was heard. office. The meeting was brief The complicated legal argument but sufficient time passed for concerned a rule that oral evidence him to establish the need for a cannot be used against written new printing machine – which he evidence. The case was concerning ordered there and then. Despite many false alarms, Robert Maxwell, who referred to Forman’s as his ‘Jewel in the Crown’, never visited the firm. Noel ended by saying Cap’n Bob was a truly remarkable man. No one adjective could describe him - apart from those voiced by the Following Elizabeth’s recent poor pensioners whose funds he house move, more papers and embezzled. photographs were donated. Two of the photographs Elizabeth Jim Chettle brought a showed were of cyclists and the photograph of his great-great- other was of the Britannia Rowing great-grandfather, William Ward of Club. Edwin Gandy was one of eleven children so there was little privacy or space at home. His interests became linked with the outdoors and a wish to escape the sooty atmosphere of Nottingham. Edwin worked as a clerk for Jardine’s, who made lace machines. There are accounts in the inheritance of the estate, the newspapers of him playing house and Lady Park. The house is for Jardine’s football team. He now Pond Farm. also loved cycling and joined a cycling club. The ‘Cyclists Lantern Africa but failed. Three years later Pauline Chettle told us a story of Parade Committee’ photograph, they were part of the Settlers a missing photograph! When her which shows Edwin, organised a scheme which did go to the Cape. mother was eight years old, she ride through Nottingham at night William’s father, also a doctor, was a bridesmaid for her cousin. (hence the lanterns), which raised started a scheme to improve wine money for charity.