The Devon Rural Archive sent us its events listing for May-July 2011.
Events coming up at the Devon Rural Archive
May – July 2011
House History Surgery
Thurs. 12th May, 11.30am – 3pm
Help with researching your house history with our in-house experts. Admission: free
Morning talk & photography workshop
Tues. 17th May, 10.30am – 12.30
‘The Dartmoor Photographs of Chris Chapman’ with Chris Chapman.
Talk, film showing and photography workshop. Ticket price: £7
Local History Day - for all Local History Societies in Devon
Tues. 7th June, 10am – 3.30pm
Speakers include Phil Planel of the East Devon AONB and the Heritage Lottery Fund,
also case studies, Archive tour, displays, expert advice & lots of networking opportunities.
Places limited so book early.
Admission: £15 (includes lunch, refreshments, handouts, workshops, tour, etc)
House History Surgery
Thurs. 9th June, 11.30am – 3pm
Help with researching your house history with our in-house experts. Admission: free
Morning talk & creative writing workshop
Tues. 21st June, 11am – 12
‘The Literary Delights of Devon’ a talk by Myfanwy (Vanni) Cook. Ticket price: £4
Followed by: a Midsummer Day’s creative writing workshop with Vanni: ‘Shilstone -
transforming historical fact into historical fiction’. All participants will get a work-pack,
tuition, creative guidance and support to create their own unique piece of writing.
Limited places so please book early. 1 – 3pm.
Workshop cost: £6 (Both talk & workshop: £10)
Devon Picture Day
Sat. 2nd July, 11am – 2pm. Admission: free
Have you got some old photographs, postcards or prints of Devon? Not sure how to look
after them? Not sure of the location? Not sure who else might be interested in seeing
them? Come meet the experts: DRA Archivist Diana Gower, John Bouldon, and staff from
the Totnes Image Bank, the South West Image Bank and the Dartmoor Archive.
Morning talk
Tues. 19th July, 11am - 12noon.
‘What did Women do all Day?’ A look at women’s work in the rural Westcountry from
1500 - 1800 by Dr. Jane Whittle of Exeter University. Ticket price: £4
Don’t forget our evening lectures: 1st Thursday of the month.
Please see our website or contact us for more information about our events.
Devon Rural Archive, Shilstone, Modbury. Devon. PL21 0TW
www.devonruralarchive.com 01548 830832 ian@dra.uk.net
The Devon Rural Archive is part of The Fenwick Charitable Trust. Reg Charity: 1007957
DEVON RURAL ARCHIVE
Evening Lecture Programme 2011
7th April 2011
‘Sir Edward Pellew and the wreck of the Dutton in Plymouth Sound’
Martin Read, Lecturer in Maritime Archaeology at Plymouth University.
12th May 2011
‘A brief history of time’
Adam Hart-Davis, Photographer, writer, and broadcaster
(Booking advisable)
2nd June 2011
‘A glimpse at 19th Century Garden History’
Letta Jones, Horticulturalist and Garden Historian.
7th July 2011
‘The church in Devon’
Rev. Dr David Keep, Trustee of the Devon Historic Churches Trust.
4th August 2011
‘Plympton’s Past in Pictures’
John Boulden M.B.E.
1st September 2011
‘The joy of archives’
Felicity Goodall, author and broadcaster.
6th October 2011
‘Poltimore House and Gardens’
Dr Claire Donovan, Poltimore House Trust &
Dr Penny Cunningham, Poltimore Landscapes Project.
3rd November 2011
‘From Parterres to Cowpats:
Aspects of the archaeology of designed landscapes in south-west England’
Rob Wilson-North, Exmoor National Park Authority.
1st December 2011
‘The story of some West Dartmoor Farms’
Dr Tom Greaves, Cultural environmentalist
Evening Lecture Programme for 2012 coming soon!
All lectures will be held in the lecture theatre of the DRA building at Shilstone at 7pm.
Refreshments available from 6:30pm.
Admission £5
ALL WELCOME
To book in advance please contact Abi on 01548 830832 or email abi@dra.uk.net.
A part of the Fenwick Charitable Trust – Registered charity no. 1007957
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Memories from the South Devon coast: Jun 19
The Underwood Discovery Centre at Beeson, near Kingsbridge, sent us summer event news.
A Century of Memories - Recollections of life in the South Hams of Devon in the early 20th century - preserves the memories of 100 men and 100 women interviewed over five years by Stephen Pedrick, a member of the Kingsbridge History Society.
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Memories from the South Devon Coast
at the Underwood Discovery Centre, 19th June, 6.00-6.45pm.
Stephen Pedrick, author of the ADHS award winning work, A Century of Memories, will be playing illustrated audio extracts from people he recorded in this area. This is part of the Beesounds Midsummer Festival. For further details see the Underwood Discovery Centre website or contact valeriebelsey@gmail.com
A Century of Memories - Recollections of life in the South Hams of Devon in the early 20th century - preserves the memories of 100 men and 100 women interviewed over five years by Stephen Pedrick, a member of the Kingsbridge History Society.
- RG Read more ...
Avocet Line: 150 years of railway history
Sunday 1st May 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Exeter-Exmouth railway (now known as the Avocet Line). See the Avocet Line Rail Users Group website www.avocet150.co.uk.
Among general themed events, the line's history is commemorated in a number of specifically historical talks and exhibitions: see the calendar. There's a good overview at the ALRUG site here.
If you have access to the 19th century British Library Newspapers archive, Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser for Wednesday, May 1, 1861, is interesting reading. Events took place all along the line, and that in Exmouth was one of the largest celebrations ever seen in the town. The four-column front-page spread begins:
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Among general themed events, the line's history is commemorated in a number of specifically historical talks and exhibitions: see the calendar. There's a good overview at the ALRUG site here.
If you have access to the 19th century British Library Newspapers archive, Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser for Wednesday, May 1, 1861, is interesting reading. Events took place all along the line, and that in Exmouth was one of the largest celebrations ever seen in the town. The four-column front-page spread begins:
OPENING
of the
EXETER AND EXMOUTH
RAILWAY
May Day, 1861, will for the future rank as one of the brightest Red Letter Days in the annals of Exmouth. It is the day on which the long-deferred hope of the principal of its inhabitants has at last been realised—the day on which, after more than sixteen years' patience and struggling with a series of rare difficulties—difficulties such as few lines have had to contend with—the wild expectations of 1845 have been consummated.
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Feniton History Group - May/June
The Feniton History Group sent us news of two forthcoming talks at Feniton Church.
6th May 2011: 7.30pm Feniton Church. The story of mediaeval Malherbes, given by Professor Gordon Reeves Admission £3.00 to include tea and coffee.
2nd June 2011 6.00pm Feniton Church. Medieval Transi or Cadevar Tombs: talk given by Miss R E Brown and Dr Christina Welch of University of Winchester. Admission £3.00 to include Tea and Coffee.
For more information about either event, contact Christine Gibbins 01404 850713.
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6th May 2011: 7.30pm Feniton Church. The story of mediaeval Malherbes, given by Professor Gordon Reeves Admission £3.00 to include tea and coffee.
2nd June 2011 6.00pm Feniton Church. Medieval Transi or Cadevar Tombs: talk given by Miss R E Brown and Dr Christina Welch of University of Winchester. Admission £3.00 to include Tea and Coffee.
For more information about either event, contact Christine Gibbins 01404 850713.
- RG Read more ...
Who was Charles Vivian?
An enquiry revealed an Exeter connection to the founding of an American fraternal organisation.
Nick Hamzij just sent us an interesting enquiry about "Cork Clubs" (see Pending enquiries):
This isn't specifically Devon history, so I've blogged about these clubs at JSBlog. But following the topic found a Devon connection to the founding of a similarly-named organisation, the Jolly Corks, in 19th century USA.
As described at Charles Vivian & The Jolly Corks, the organisation was originally founded in New York City in 1867 by a group of musicians and entertainers, who organised private variety shows to get around the "blue laws" forbidding Sunday drinking. They rapidly affiliated on a more formal basis as a benevolent organisation, rebadged in 1868 as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which still exists as one of the the leading US fraternal organisations.
A biographical sketch of the life of Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian, founder of the order of Elks : together with anecdotes and reminiscences of his work and travels (Imogen Holbrook Vivian, 1903, Internet Archive ID biographicalsket00vivirich) mentions that the main founder was an English émigré born in Exeter in 1846, the son of "a clergyman of the Established Church". The book says:
I haven't yet tracked who his father might be; some accounts say "Vivian" was a stage name, and that Vivian's real name was Charlie Robertson. Accounts also differ as to his birth date.
- RG Read more ...
Nick Hamzij just sent us an interesting enquiry about "Cork Clubs" (see Pending enquiries):
I am interested in any information regarding Cork Clubs. These existed in public houses from Victorian(?) times and have been described as a working men's freemasonry. One such club still exists in The Cider Bar, Newton Abbot and I have references to clubs in Greenwich and Rushden. Any info would be appreciated.
This isn't specifically Devon history, so I've blogged about these clubs at JSBlog. But following the topic found a Devon connection to the founding of a similarly-named organisation, the Jolly Corks, in 19th century USA.
As described at Charles Vivian & The Jolly Corks, the organisation was originally founded in New York City in 1867 by a group of musicians and entertainers, who organised private variety shows to get around the "blue laws" forbidding Sunday drinking. They rapidly affiliated on a more formal basis as a benevolent organisation, rebadged in 1868 as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which still exists as one of the the leading US fraternal organisations.
A biographical sketch of the life of Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian, founder of the order of Elks : together with anecdotes and reminiscences of his work and travels (Imogen Holbrook Vivian, 1903, Internet Archive ID biographicalsket00vivirich) mentions that the main founder was an English émigré born in Exeter in 1846, the son of "a clergyman of the Established Church". The book says:
He never tired in describing to me the long walks by the sea he used to take in boyhood days by his father's side, near Exeter, in fair Devonshire, always alluding to him in the most affectionate terms, with fond remembrance of those delightful hours spent in pleasant and instructive conversation as they walked the sea-girt shores of old England.
I haven't yet tracked who his father might be; some accounts say "Vivian" was a stage name, and that Vivian's real name was Charlie Robertson. Accounts also differ as to his birth date.
- RG Read more ...
DRA House History Surgeries
The Devon Rural Archive sent us details of its forthcoming "House History Surgery" days at Shilston, the first on 7th April.
For more information on all upcoming events, see www.devonruralarchive.com.
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Uncover the secret history of your house
The Devon Rural Archive at Shilstone near Modbury in South Devon is running a series of ‘House History Surgeries’ for all those people hooked on the history of their home. The first ‘surgery’ starts next week and is completely free. DRA Historian Diana Gower says: ‘Whether you are just beginning to look into the history of your house, or a seasoned researcher, anyone with a question about their property’s past is welcome to come along. You can come and spend some time with one of our resident experts, explore the archive and get advice for where you go next. There is no charge for this. The DRA has set aside three days in April, May and June especially to support your house history research: the first one is on Thurs. 7th April, 11.30 – 3pm. After that it is Thurs. 12th May, 11.30 -3pm and Thurs. 9th June, 11.30 – 3pm. Why not come along and see what secrets you can uncover?’
For more information on all upcoming events, see www.devonruralarchive.com.
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