November 2014

Friday 28th November 7 pm to 9 pm.

A Welcome Evening to the new Herefordshire Record Office. Tours of the new building, displays, photographs, Wine, Cheese etc. The Learning Room at the Herefordshire Archives and Rec­ord Centre, Fir Tree Lane, Dinedor, Hereford H1R2 6LA (off the straight Mile at Rotherwas.). Contact Phil Bufton

AGM 2014

The AGM was held on Friday 17th October 2014. The Officers and Committee were re-elected with the addi­tion of Mrs Grania Roper. The Vice Chairman thanked everyone for their services to Kington History Society.

The AGM was followed by two very interesting and enter­taining talks.

The first was by Gwyneth Guy on the History of Broughton House, Headbrook. Gwyneth had played detective and by searching census returns, old documents and newspapers on line she had built up a fascinating picture of the life and times of Broughton House.

The second talk was by Mick Turner entitled “Fings ain’t what they used to be”. He reminisced about items we used to buy and asked who remembered them, like Omo and Oxydol washing powder, Robin starch, Bronco toilet roll, etc. and Society Members soon joined in with things they remembered. It certainly brought back memories of some things long gone and others that still remain.

The evening finished with tea, coffee and biscuits and many members staying on to have a chat with our two speakers. A good evening was had by all.

 

Visit to the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library at Hereford Cathedral

Saturday 4th October

This visit was to be a follow-up to the fascinating talk by Canon Chris Pullen which had been enjoyed by Society members earlier. The exhibition is housed in a purpose- built building composed of Derbyshire sandstone. The exhibits are kept under controlled environmental conditions. Should a fire occur the air is sucked out of the building to prevent burning. On our arrival, we were met by one of the volun­teers who pointed out some of the very interesting and in­formative exhibits to do with the Mappa. Models, original artefacts and the latest interactive computer technology are used to help tell the story of the Mappa. Apparently, displays are changed occasionally so there is usually something new to see. It was fascinating to see the Mappa itself, for many members had last seen it when it was on the wall inside the cathedral.

We then moved on to look at the Chained Library. There are over 1,500 rare books dating from the 8th to the 19th centuries. It is very well laid out and it is possible to see the titles and ages of the books. Books are shelved with the spines facing away from the reader which allows the book to be taken from the shelf and read without tangling the chain. The collection is seen in its original arrangement as it was from 1611-1841.

Finally, we went up to the top of the building where books from the Lady Hawkins’ School collection had been laid out for us to see. Some of the books were early textbooks com­plete with the borrowers’ names written inside and some had graffiti inside written by schoolboys over 100 years ago. One of the items which attracted the most interest was one of the school registration books dating from the early 19th century. This included well-known Kington names including “Skarratt”!

On the Hereford Cathedral website you can take a virtual tour of the Chained Library and the Mappa Mundi. www. herefordcathedral.org/visit-us/mappa-mundi. Review J & TP.

 

Annual Subscriptions

It is that time of year again. Subscriptions are now due and can be sent to the treasurer. Many thanks.

 

The next meeting to be held on Friday 21st November 2014:

Kington Through the Photographer’s Eye, 1850 to Pres­ent. By David Latham

Local photographer David Latham has an extensive collec­tion of photographs, some he has taken himself and others he has acquired from various sources over the years. This promises to be a most fascinating evening which will show the changes to Kington and the surrounding area over the years.

 

Editor’s Note. An Early Reminder.

Please come along to the Social & Quiz on Friday 5th De­cember. The questions are reasonably easy this year and cover a large spread of knowledge. Party fare and some­thing for the raffle would be greatly appreciated. More in the next issue.