What could be the final book in a fascinating series on the history of Barton upon Humber has just been launched.
The book, The Railway Comes to Barton on Humber: 1844 – 1914 has been written by railway enthusiast and historian Anthony Berridge and edited by fellow historian Geoff Bryant.
Speaking at the launch, held at The Ropery Coffee Shop, Mr Berridge reminisced that it was many years ago since he was first approached to write a book on the coming of the railway to Barton.
“At last it is published despite a loss of data and subsequent distress,” he went on.
“In writing this book it was difficult to know what to put in and difficult to know when to stop,” Mr Berridge revealed. “But the book runs from five years before the beginning of the railway in 1849 and I stopped at the start of the Great War in 1914.
Mr Bryant recalled how Barton’s rich vein of books on its history came into being.
“It was in 1960 when the local WEA tutor Rex Russell published his first book “Schools and Education in Barton. He brought out books about every other year and at the end had published well over 100 books about Barton,” he said.
Between 1970 and 2008 Mr Bryant, Mr Russell, and local wildlife expert and artist Miles Hopper published more literature through the auspices of the WEA.
“Included in that was, in 1994, “The Early History of Barton upon Humber” from the year dot to 1986 and at the time thought that would be that,” Mr Bryant recalled. “Then I thought why finish in 1086?”
“Myself and a few others, historians and others interested in local history gathered in my house one night in 2001 and decided that we would carry on from 1086 – and we thought it would all go in one book but it soon became clear we needed more than one book and so nine titles were drawn up and eight of those nine titles are now in publication . Medieval Barton is still outstanding.”
The WEA produced the first five books to be published in the series and when it ceased to publish such publications in its name, Liz Bennet of The Ropewalk stepped in and further books were published under the auspices of Fathom Writers Press.
More publications followed in 2009, 2011, followed by Mr Berridge’s book.
“I think there is more history of Barton to be written although this book is the last one I shall edit. We have hardly touched on industry or farming, “Mr Bryant continued.
The book is available to buy from The Ropewalk, Wilderspin National School and 8 Queen Street, all in Barton, and costs just £9.
Throughout the summer in the Box Gallery we are showcasing work from makers who are influenced by the sea.
Featuring in Coastal are ceramics by Tregear Pottery from the Isle of Wight, Rebecca Harvey from St Ives, Pru Green from Essex and Dianne Cross from Yorkshire. A new collection of work by Tony Bellars of King’s Lynn brings a bright splash of colour, looking at his fishing boats and gulls you can almost smell the salt air and hear the unmistakable cry of the gull.
This month in the Box Gallery we are celebrating everything nautical with a range of makers from around the UK. Their pieces aim to represent the fun of the ocean and the curious creatures that live within it.
We have a range of ceramics and prints to transport you back to the seaside or give you gift inspiration for that perfect someone who is never far from the beach. So why not come and visit the Craft Gallery today and start your holiday early with a piece from our exhibition, transforming your home into your very own seaside escape.
Here are just a few of the pieces we have on offer in the exhibition.
You are probably wondering why we have a boat within the Box Gallery exhibition!
Not only does it match this month’s nautical theme in the gallery it also promotes Barton’s Heritage Open Days and the free tours taking place from September 14 to September 22 in the neighbouring Barton Haven Shipyard.
Don’t forget to book your free ticket today along with many more events on offer at The Ropewalk.
Selected by Rob Moore and Melvyn Petterson, this biennial exhibition aims to show the best of our region’s printmakers.
Situated on the rugged south coast of the Isle of Wight, Tregear Pottery produces a beautiful range of handmade stoneware pottery. Each piece is made from fine white stoneware clay. The work is hand decorated in a variety of designs – all drawing their inspiration and influences from the exceptional beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
Trained in Kyoto, Japan, in porcelain throwing, Neil’s passion for pottery has seen his work travel across the globe. He continually pushes and challenges the work at Tregear Pottery, refining glazes, developing new designs and expanding the studio. Neil has been awarded with a number of grants, international show selections, and other accolades for the quality of his work. The work is sold in several galleries and shops on the Isle of Wight as well as many well-known outlets across the mainland and now at The Ropewalk. Come in to the Craft Gallery during the month of June and admire the coastal bliss that Neil Tregear’s pottery creates.
Noted brings together artists Lou Hazelwood and Sarah Pennington for the first time, as they negotiate similar interests in the mechanisation of music and roles of women.
Hazelwood’s piece in progress ‘La Boheme/I’ve Got Her Disease Inside My Head’ transposes pianola scores to playable music boxes working with the oppositional themes of the female bohemian and hysteric.
Pennington has constructed a series of new sculptural observations and print works through a combination of historical research and material experimentation with player piano rolls and remnants of piano mechanisms.
This exhibition showcases the initial findings of their separate but related research into, and interventions with, the structures of pianos and pianolas, and social situations surrounding their key periods of use.
If you are interested in following these processes of exploration as they continue to unfold, please visit www.facebook.com/Noted
Rachel Morley creates unique felt items by hand using the wet felt method. The natural colours and shapes of the Scottish coastal landscape have inspired the Pebble range or Doorstops, Cubby Bowls, Cubbyholes and Pebble Pods. Rachel experiments with wool fibres from British breeds of sheep to take advantage to their varying qualities. As a contrast, Rachel enjoys the challenges of felting with a broad colour palette to create the colourful range of bowls.
Rachel’s aim is to elevate felt craft to create innovate products for the interior, echoing organic forms of the coastal landscape. Her fine art background brings a very sculptural feel to her work which is tactile and evocative.
Rachel has a Fine Art Degree and Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas in Feltmaking. She is a member of the international Feltmakers Association and Design Nation. She is a supporter of the campaign for Wool and member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Rachel works from a studio in Hickling a village situated between Nottingham and Melton Mowbray. Come in to the Craft Gallery during the month of May and admire the Scottish bliss Rachel Morley felt pieces create.
