October 2009 Archives
MAJOR felling operations across Flintshire are slowly revealing the hidden history of the area as local landmarks re-emerge from the forest canopy writes Lois York.
Back in the 1960s a big planting programme near Mold included the Nercwys mountain - and a 300-year-old shepherd's cottage which was demolished to make way for the trees.
A MYSTERIOUS metal man sculpture has been taking a good view of Talacre beach this week.
The modern work of art, designed by local artist Angela Smith, is spending the week on top of the Point of Ayr lighthouse.
FORMER pupils of Brookfield Comprehensive School are planning to celebrate in some style what would have been the old school's 40th anniversary, writes Ray Miller.
Stef Davis, a popular next door neighbour of mine, is a key organiser of the reunion which will be held at the Holiday Inn, formerly the Crest Hotel, on Sunday December 27 (7pm to 1am).
Stef describes it as a charity night of school memories and the main aim is to raise money to help Halton Haven.
"We grew up with Halton Haven Hospice just across the Busway from our school. In those days, the Haven was just a fledgling charity, operating from a couple of dated mobiles, and founded by the late Dom Valdez.
RENOWNED for its successful and also very enjoyable Victorian-style Christmas parties for schools from across the borough, Norton Priory Museum is varying its programme this year by introducing a wartime theme to part of the celebrations.
Paul Quigley, of the museum, tells me that instead of having three weeks of Victorian parties, the plan this year is to divide the celebrations into two parts with half the events taking on a wartime flavour, hopefully showing how people improvised when austerity prevailed and rationing was in full swing.
I'M SURE readers will appreciate this little news item, provided by Runcorn Historical Society archivist Alex Cowan, as much as I did, writes Ray Miller.
Dating back to January 1899, and headlined 'The Son of Buffalo Bill takes an unlucky aim at his wife,' the story reads: "Young Mr Cody, described as the son of Buffalo Bill, has been giving an exhibition of rifle shooting, lassoing, etc, at Hope Hall, Runcorn.
A TUDOR mansion that was shipped from Runcorn and rebuilt brick-by-brick in Ashwood, West Sussex, has gone up for sale.
Dutton Hall was bought by the Dewar family in 1930 when John Dewar's new wife decided their home was not big enough for parties. The mansion was rebuilt alongside their original home, now known as Dutton Homestall.
Tom Scaife, of Knight Frank estate agents, expects it to sell as a spa hotel, apartments or school.
MORE than 100 people at Nantwich Museum celebrated the unveiling of an oil painting from 1781 which is believed to be the only known illustration of Nantwich Races.
Entitled Mr Walsh's Perdita, with jockey up, on Nantwich Racecourse, it is by Benjamin Killingbeck, who specialised in painting horses and dogs.
The unveiling formed part of a cheese and wine evening organised as a fundraising event to help the Pillory Street museum pay for the painting.
THE first charity military vehicle show to roll into Crewe has been hailed a great success by organisers.
Hundreds flocked to Crewe Heritage Centre to see the Wheels of War Past and Present Show.
THE National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port hosted an open day last Sunday.
It aimed to get more young people aged 16-25 involved in volunteering and conservation projects.
Valerie Hackpil was on hand to capture the action.
AN EXHIBITION of remarkable recently discovered photographs gives a fascinating glimpse into the life and leisure time of an Edwardian family from Wirral.
An Edwardian Family Album - which can be seen at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight from October 23 until May 2010 - shows draughtsman Jack Urton, his wife Biddy and their young daughters Mary and Lois in the carefree sunny days that marked the period immediately before the First World War.
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