The Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society, of which I am currently President, are holding their annual conference on 11th May 2024. The theme this is new research and with a focus on local history, family history and archaeology. It will be held at the friend’s Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS from 10am to 3pm.
The programme is as follows:
9.30 Registration
10.00 – 10.40 Ian Mitchell. Mantles and Myths: Browns of Chester c.1780-2021
Tracing its origins to the 1780s, Browns of Chester had by the late nineteenth century grown into an upmarket shop selling a wide range of goods. Yet Browns was more than another, albeit high class, department store. It was increasingly a key part of how Chester positioned itself both as a historic town and a major shopping centre. This paper looks at the growth of the business and considers the role of perception and myth-making in the creation of a prestigious department store. Ian Mitchell is Honorary Research Fellow in the Centre for Historical Research at the University of Wolverhampton He has published widely in academic journals and his book Tradition and Innovation in English Retailing 1700 to 1850 appeared in 2014.
10.40 – 11.20 Helen Corlett. The Cooper at Old Bridge End: Finding a Place in Early 19c Manchester
A micro study of the experience of an artisan-tradesman family migrating to Manchester from the rural north in the early nineteenth century. Where and how did people fit in and find belonging? Drawing on family and wider social sources, this talk shows the ways in which networks of family and faith, and a cohesive local neighbourhood, offered anchors for this cooper family, and helped them to navigate both family and business crisis in the volatile world of industrial revolution Manchester. Helen P. B. Corlett is currently doing post-graduate research for a Ph.D at Manchester University. Her thesis focuses on the ‘fragile belonging’ of a family group of tradesmen in the early nineteenth century. By combining approaches of family history and social history, her work finds access points into hidden lives and the experiences of families facing geographical uprootings and precarious livelihoods.
11.20 – 12.00 John Marsden and Hilary Hartigan. Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society Transcription Projects
John and Hilary will describe recent MLFHS transcription projects which give some idea of the lives of local people, their occupations and living conditions, ranging from Manchester City Transport staff to Workhouse inmates and pupils at schools for the deaf and blind. John Marsden and Hilary Hartigan are members of the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society
LUNCH 12.00 – 1.00
1.00 -1.40 Norman Redhead Castleshaw Roman Fort, Saddleworth: the archaeology of a newly discovered military annexe
Norman’s illustrated talk will present the results of archaeological excavations from 2021-23 that have revealed a previously unsuspected defended annexe attached to the east side of the late 1st century AD fort. The archaeology has been surprisingly complex and fascinating, transforming our understanding of this Roman military site. The excellent work of the dedicated team of volunteers from the Friends of Castleshaw Roman Forts will be described and future plans discussed. Norman Redhead is the former GM County Archaeologist and Archaeological Lead for the Friends of Castleshaw Roman Forts
1.40 – 2.20 Neil Coldrick Medieval Ironworking in Holcombe Valley
During excavations in Holcombe Valley from 2013 to 2017, Holcombe Moor Heritage Group uncovered evidence that suggested iron working had been taking place during the medieval period of the 13th to 14th centuries. When that project came to an end in 2017, work began to locate the area that would hopefully discover the truth behind the evidence. Excavations began in 2018 and continued through to 2023, during which time the group uncovered some incredibly well-preserved remains of medieval iron working. This talk will take the audience through the experience of excavating a medieval iron working complex on a military training camp and show examples of the archaeology discovered during the project. Neil Coldrick is dig director with Holcombe Moor Heritage Group which is a voluntary community organisation formed in 2005 by the Ministry of Defence to research the history of Holcombe Valley and communicate their results to the local community. Now independent of the MoD they retain the close connection.
2.20 – 3.00 Kelly Griffiths Scuttled: Excavations on the Historic Canal Basin in Rochdale
Kelly will talk on the excavation of the Rochdale Canal basin prior to development; describing how six historic vessels were uncovered and recorded. The discovery and research of the boats then inspired a research and engagement project to create an audio drama based on the families that worked and lived on the barges. Kelly Griffiths is an Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant based in the North West.
This conference is free to members of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society and MLFHS, but donations are gratefully accepted. The fee for non members is £12.00 payable to Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society. Please email secretary@landcas.org.uk to book your place
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