Monthly Archives: May 2015

Exploring Local History – food office at Grenoside

There were about 20 people at the talk in Chapeltown Library on Thursday. I showed people examples of the range of material that can be used to explore local history in all its different aspects. The overall theme was that everyone has a local history which they can explore – whether they have lived in an area for a few years or all their lives. It can be looked at through diaries and documents, photographs and maps and by walking round the local area.

Some of the photographs triggered particular memories. One photograph was of the old Rural District Council Offices at Grenoside. It provoked discussion about the ‘food office’ at Grenoside somewhere that families had to go to collect their ration and welfare coupons for young children. It was set in its own wooded grounds opposite the Council offices. I’m going to follow up with the Grenoside group to see if they have more information which we can share.

 

Exploring Local History Talk

I will be giving a talk at Chapeltown Library on Thursday May 21st at 2pm. The talk will be illustrated looking at different aspects of local history around the Ecclesfield Parish and beyond. I will be covering some of my interests in changing landscapes and the people who lived and worked in them and how these can be explored in different ways.

V.E. Day 70th Anniversary

Heritage High Green invited me to join with them to organise an event at Kinsey Road Sheltered Scheme on Friday 8th May. Residents of this and nearby sheltered schemes plus others took part in a singsong, lots of reminiscences, flag waving! and a bit of dancing. The heritage group threw themselves into the spirit of things decorating the room, putting together a display and making the refreshments which included ‘typical’ food of the time – dripping, jam and spam sandwiches, jelly, blancmange and sponge cakes.

Lynn and Joy leading Heritage High Green members in a sing song.

Lynn and Joy leading Heritage High Green members in a sing song.

I found it great fun and so interesting listening to some of the stories about both the ups and downs of the wartime experiences. Some of these will feature later in other posts. I was also pleased that yet again!  people are coming forward with suggestions for the archive and more events.