News archive

Not just the history of a house ...
                                                   ... but a social commentary too

Today’s system of house ownership registration is fast and efficient, but loses the wealth of detail that was incorporated in old deeds. Sadly, many old deeds have been lost or destroyed.

Robert Hodge gave an illustrated talk on what we can learn from a bundle of old parchment such as that in a bundle of deeds relating to the New House, off the Tenbury Road, found in an office clearout. Covering the period 1738 – 1918 he offered a fascinating insight into the mechanism of transfer, ownership of the house and the people involved, with a hint of intrigue and mystery.

The Society's open evenings are very popular.  Watch out for announcements on the website, or use the 'contact us' form to be added to our mailing list.

 

Abberley Hall and Clock Tower

Jo Roche gave a talk on 700 years of the history of Abberley Hall to an appreciative group who had braved the weather.  Based on detailed research she had undertaken herself, Jo made her talk interesting and very informative. 

The Clock Tower at Abberley Hall School is a local landmark that can be seen from six counties and is open to the public this year on 19 and 20 July.

 

Cleobury chronicles 9 published

The previous issue of the series of the very popular Cleobury Chronicles was published in 2008. That volume (number 8) and all the earlier volumes (1 to 7) are still available in print form.  Chronicles 9 is given over to one item: "Tom's Story".

A local resident found in their attic a hand written notebook of 84
pages which flowed with the memories of one man, Tom. Covering eighty years from 1903, Tom recalls his life in a uniquely vernacular style. His personal history appears to have been written over a short period and gives an insight into rural life in the early part of the 20C.

Tom's Story was written anonymously and we have published it as a faithful transcription from the original as an example of a simple, personal history that relates to our local area. So much has changed over the last 100 years, especially in the way we live and work. Whilst books that
document the change, and other works of research, are important for understanding the impact of change and the reasons for it, these personal stories bring the changes alive in a way that appeals directly to our own memories and imagination.

Copies can be had direct from the Society, from Baldwins' Bookshop and Cleobury Newsagents.

Titterstone Clee: A Hill through Time

A very well attended open meeting heard well-known local archaeologist Glynn Barratt give a talk on the fascinating history of Titterstone Clee.  Clee Hill dominates the area and is unique in being the only named hill to be shown on the 14C map of the world, the "Mappa Mundi", preserved in the library of Hereford Cathedral.  Guests and members heard that there is much more to the hill than the local weather,

These open meetings are very popular.  If you wish to be kept informed of upcoming talks, please use the 'Contact us' link.

The history of Cleobury Mortimer

With the very kind permission of M & M Baldwin, the Society is making available this celebrated history of Cleobury Mortimer for reading online.

The Reverend Samuel Auchmuty was the last person to complete a history of the town, which he did in 1911, after fourteen years as the parish priest. 

Unfortunately, both the original and the 1996 republication are out of print.  This online version at last makes it more acessible to the growing number of those interested in the history of this south Shropshire town.   Click the front cover image to read the history.

 The iron industry around Cleobury Mortimer

Shropshire was the seat of the Industrial Revolution. Iron-making was one of its key drivers and Cleobury played a key role in the development of the iron industry. Before iron making became established in the Ironbridge Gorge, two of the earliest blast furnaces in the Midlands were built in the Wyre Forest. Raw materials were readily available and iron from Cleobury was valued as a high-quality material.

There was an excellent attendance at this very interesting talk by Dr David Poyner, with a lively discussion afterwards.  Dr Poyner told of their history, and give an insight into some recent archaeological work conducted at one of the sites.

These popular talks are open to everyone and all are welcome.   If you want to be kept informed of the next of the Society's open talks, please use the 'Contact us' link.

The postcards of Cleobury Mortimer

There was a good attendance at the talk given by local resident and deltiologist (collector of postcards!), Glyn Mark on "Postcards of Cleobury Mortimer".  We are very grateful to Glyn for an informative and interesting talk.  Postcards tell two stories each - the story of the image and the story of the person writing the card.  Both contribute to a picture of local history.  Judging by the comments and interaction, it brought back a lot of memories for those present.    

If you want to be kept informed of the next of the Society's popular talks, please use the 'Contact us' link.

War Memorial rededication

At a service of rededication by the Bishop of Ludlow, the Right Rev Alisatair Magowan, for the first time ever the reading of the names of the Fallen included their Christian names.   As with many memorials, the inscriptions show only the initials of the first names and it was with great thanks that the Royal British Legion acknowledged the work of the Society whose research made the reading possible. 

St Mary's,Neen Savage Monumental Inscriptions

Following on from work done by the Neen Savage WI in 1994, members of the Society spent several summer evenings bringing up to date the record of the monumental inscriptions.  Members are now working on a plan of the churchyard to show the location of  each monument - a publication which will be of  huge interest to relatives and genealogists.