Whitchurch Memories: New season starts for Whitchurch History and Archaeology Group

By Whitchurch Herald on Sep 17, 09 01:47 PM in 2000 onwards

THE new season for Whitchurch History and Archaeology Group starts tonight (Thursday, September 17).

It kicks off with a talk in the Civic Centre at 7.30pm by Tony Lewery of the Waterways Trust entitled The Saturn Project.

He was involved with the restoration of the last Shroppie Fly Boat, Saturn, which is now more than 100 years old, but once plied the Shropshire Union Canal day and night non-stop carrying perishable goods.

The talk coincides with the Waterways Trust weekend held at the Whitchurch arm in Chemistry this weekend, at which Saturn can be seen.

There will be three further meetings in the group's programme: on October 15 Tony Crowe will talk about The Shropshire and Montgomery Railway; on November 19 Margaret Worthington from the Porth-y-wern Study Centre will talk about Offa's Dyke; and for the Christmas meeting on December 17 David Trumper will give an illustrated talk on the Historical and Social Changes of North Shropshire Towns.

Topics for 2010 will include: Glass Houses, Orangeries and Conservatories from 1700 by Dr. Paul Stamper: Shropshire Building Preservation Trust by Peter Shepherd: and The Drovers Roads by Idris Evans.

The group was formed in 1977 for people interested in the town's past history.

It holds monthly meetings with speakers between September and May on the third Thursday of the month at the Civic Centre, High Street, Whitchurch, at 7.30pm.

It also promotes publications on aspects of local history; maintains a collection of old photographs of the local area; keeps a watching brief over local historical sites of importance and interest; and produces a four-monthly comprehensive newsletter, which is free for its members.

New members and visitors are always welcome to attend.

Full details of the new season are available at Whitchurch Library and Whitchurch Heritage Centre. Details of membership and further information are available on www.whitchurch-history.co.uk.