Local History

Local History

This Group meets on the third Monday morning of each month, usually at Burton Grange Community Centre.

Members research and discuss various aspects of the social and industrial history of Barnsley and surrounding areas.

Site visits are arranged where appropriate. Visiting speakers attend on occasions.

During 2009 members have enjoyed an interesting variety of topics about the history of Barnsley and the surrounding district with talks and presentations by both our own members and visiting speakers. These have included, Education in  Barnsley, 18th Century Domestic Service, Barnsley's Theatres and Cinemas, Cudworth Railway Station and Barnsley on the 1st July 1916 (according to the Barnsley Chronicle).

The three visiting speakers have provided us with vastly different topics. Pat McLaughin gave an illustrated talk entitled 'Art Work and Symbolism in South Yorkshire Churches'. Additionally he joined us on our visit to Darfield Parish Church to share with us his knowledge of church architecture and traditions. Brian Elliott emphasised the importance of oral history with 'Pit Voices' - a very different approach to the   story of the coal mining industry. More recently, Jim Ritchie told us of the Silkstone Waggonway using some fascinating visual aids, one being the world premiere of an animation film of part of the Waggonway.