Category Archives: Meeting Reports

The Old Hall, North Collingham

20th September 2017

Nigel Priestley, Deputy Chair of CDLHS, gave members and visitors an entertaining and enlightening talk on one of Collingham’s oldest buildings and some of the people who have lived there over the centuries. Although there are few records of its origins it is possible that it was the Manor House for North Collingham. Nigel hoped we may be able to determine the age of the existing building by dating of timbers with the assistance of current owner Mark Woods. Mark also told the audience of his research on the building and showed some small items that he had found buried in the garden of The Old Hall.

Nigel then told us some interesting anecdotes of previous owners from the 17th Century to more recent times. The most recent of these awakened memories for many listening members and a lively discussion followed during question time.

 

‘Fantastic’ Talk Given on Crimean War

22nd September 2016

Pat Smedley, Chair of CDLHS, delivered an outstanding lecture on ‘Balaclava, Two Collingham  Kinsmen Killed’ to a rapt audience in the Memorial Hall on September 21st. Starting with the ornate and much-visited headstone in All Saints’ Church, Pat traced the backgrounds of the three men to whom the headstone is dedicated and led us deftly through the history of the Crimean War and the ill-judged 1854 Charge of the Light Brigade.

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The headstone dedicated to William Bacon of the 17th Lancers (killed) George Broome (killed) and John Bacon who survived. The epitaph is completed by a verse from Tennyson’s famous poem, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’

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Newark’s Black Friday

27th April 2016

Around 40 people attended a talk in the Memorial Hall on ‘Newark’s Black Friday’, the story of the 1941 bombing of the Ransome and Marles’ ball bearing and munitions factory in Newark. Speakers Trevor Frecknall and Shaun Noble, authors of the book, ‘Newark Black Friday’, spoke for an hour about the event. Their talk was supported by pictures of the damage caused in the aftermath, and photographs of some of those killed such as 21-year-old Edith Makins of The Thatched House, South Collingham. Shaun Noble also filled in details about the background of the German crew who had dropped the bombs on the factory. The speakers were thanked by Helena Pielichaty

Trevor Frecknall (hidden) and Shaun Noble. Shaun’s collection of shells and cartridges kept everyone on their toes!

‘Newark’s Black Friday’ is available for sale in WH Smith, Newark. Price £9.99