Reports of previous BASH events, 2009-2010

Tue 2nd Feb '10 - The History of Iron & Steel Making in Scunthorpe

The February 2nd BASH meeting at Brigg & District Servicemen’s Club was "The History of Iron & Steel Making in Scunthorpe" with speaker Steve Cook.

Steve initially took us into the pre-historic past of the area explaining the origin of the vast iron-stone deposits in the area. These were then discovered in the late 1850's in the region of the five small villages of Scunthorpe, Frodingham, Crosby, Brumby and Ashby. This resulted in the development of an iron and steel industry and rapid population growth.

He showed many images of the, very labour intensive, early days of the industry and some very rare movie clips. The works included Frodingham Ironworks; North Lincoln Ironworks; Redbourn Hill Iron & Coal Company; Appleby Ironworks; John Lysaght's Iron and Steelworks.

Finally, in the early 1980's, it was realised that the local ore (20% iron) could not compete with imported ore (at 60-70% iron) and it was decided to close all the local mines and quarries.

Steve gave a fascinating talk that was extremely well attended and enjoyed by everybody.

The photograph is of the speaker and some retired steel workers, showing, from left to right: John Tindall, Doug Parker, Les Wells (seated), Steve Cook (speaker), Len Hippisley, Steve Stubbins.

Tue 5th Jan '10 - "Sing to Win" with Elly Dolan

The January 5th BASH meeting at Brigg & District Servicemen’s Club was “Sing to Win” with Elly Dolan, who sang patriotic songs that helped to win the war. They were interspersed with original radio broadcasts from that era and ended with a rip-roaring, flag waving finale of Land of Hope and Glory.

Despite the poor turn out because of the bad weather it was a really fun, enjoyable evening.

The photograph shows, from left to right: Val Holland, Elly Dolan, Brian Denison - as the Andrews Sisters, singing "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else but Me"

Tue 1st Dec '09 - The Lincolnshire Times Newspaper 1858 – 1985

The December BASH meeting, at The Brigg & District Servicemen’s Club was a talk by Nigel Fisher on "The Lincolnshire Times Newspaper 1858 – 1985".

This fascinating presentation told how the Lincolnshire Times was launched on Valentines Day, 14 February 1857 (making 1858 its first full year) and continued until 26 July 1985, producing 4,472 issues over the 128 years. He said that the paper moved premises once, from 8 Market place, Brigg (now demolished) to 57 Wrawby Street, Brigg.

Nigel described his time working for the paper from January 1980 until January 1984 and, after this, continuing to contribute cricket coverage, on a freelance basis, until the paper closed. He noted some of the main characters of the paper's later period including: Edward (Ted) Dodd, Cliff Hatley, Joan Dobbs, Peter Bell and Bryan Robins.

Also of great interest was Nigel's collection (mainly 1979 to 1984) of copies of the paper, some of which were eagerly passed around the audience.

This was an excellent BASH event enjoyed by all.

The the group photograph from the event shows, from left to rght: Denise Torpey (BASH committee), Nigel Fisher(Speaker),Chris Witty (BASH committee) and Pat Parkinson (BASH committee).

Sun 29th Nov '09 - November Ghost Walk

The November Ghost Walk was done in three groups, led by guides Josie Webb, Pat Parkinson and Brian Denison.

In the middle of the walk it seemed for a while that, and for the first time ever, the weather had got the better of us. But the rain went away, the brollies went down, the shower was forgotten and the walk continued as planned.

All of those on the walk that we spoke to afterwards said how much they had enjoyed the evening, finding it entertaing and informative.

Tue 3rd Nov '09 - Lady Rose Hickman

The 3rd November meeting saw a welcome return of Local historian and writer Sue Allan.

Her talk on the life and family of Lady Rose Hickman, of Gainsborough Old Hall was fascinating. Sue was dressed in clothes of the Tudor period as worn by Lady Rose. Her wonderful story told of an extraordinary woman of courage who lived through one of the most turbulent periods of history and survived the reigns of two Tudor kings and nine Tudor queens.

Photograph left to right: Roger Vorhauer (Sue Allans’s husband and co-researcher), Josie Webb (BASH chairman), Sue Allan (speaker)

Sat 31st Oct '09 - Halloween Ghost Walk

The Halloween Ghost Walk went well and was enjoyed by all, with many coming along in suitably spooky dress.

The photograph is of guide Pat Parkinson's group outside the Nelthorpe Arms (Scanlons) just before they set off.

Tue 6th Oct '09 - The Demise of the Tirpitz

The October BASH meeting, at The Brigg & District Servicemen’s Club was given by Jim Shortland on 'The Demise of the Tirpitz'.

It was a very interesting talk illustrated by slides and included a short film of the launching of this Bismarck-class battleship in 1939. The Tirpitz operated from Norwegian waters where she spent most of World War 2 intercepting and sinking many of the Arctic Convoys bringing much needed supplies to the U.K.

There were many attempts to sink her including those using 2 man and then 4 man submarines but, on 12th November 1944, the RAF successfully sank her when they dropped, 'Tall Boy', 500 lb bombs on her.

The photograph taken at the event shows, from left to right: 617 Squadron veteran Colin Cole, Jim Shortland (speaker) and IX Squadron veteran Tom Andrew. (Both veterans were on the Tirpitz raid.)

Tue 29th Sep '09 - The Watermills of Lincolnshire

BASH were host to the Annual Leach Lecture by the Lincolnshire History and Archaeology Society held at Brigg & District Servicemen's Club on Tuesday, 29th September.

The speaker, Jon Sass, gave an illustrated talk on the Lincolnshire Watermills.

The talk began by explaining how watermills had started in Roman times and there is evidence of them throughout the Saxon middle ages up to the 1950's. To finish there was a look at what has now happed to some of the remaining mills.

It was a fascinating talk enjoyed by all.

Tue 15th Sep '09 - B.A.S.H. Annual General Meeting

BASH AGM was held at the Nelthorpe Arms, Bridge Street, Brigg. Chairman Josie Webb said: "BASH had another great year in 2008/2009. Attendances at meetings had increased and we have had some very interesting speakers"

The highlight of the year was the V.E. night on May 8th. This has become so popular that people are already enquiring about tickets for next years event (which will be held on Friday, May 7th 2010).

The committee voted in for 2009/2010 are: Chairman- Josie Webb Vice Chairman - Brian Denison Secretary - Pat Parkinson Treasurer - Denise Torpey Media Contacts - Graham Austin & Phil Allen Posters - Chris Whitty & Caroline Sharpe Photographer - Kathleen Devai Buffets - Jean Neall

BASH has two new sponsors - Pol's Pantry and Colemans on Queen Street. The committee would like to thank all of the BASH sponsors for their help and support over the past year.

Wed 2nd Sep '09 - The World of Anastasia

Tuesday 1st September saw the beginning of the Brigg Amateur Social Historians new season, held at the Brigg and District Servicemen's Club, with a fantastic talk on the Life and Times of Anastasia by Marilyn Roberts.

Marilyn illustrated her very interesting talk with slides.

She talked about the relationship between our own royal family with Tsar Nicholas 2nd of Russia and his wife Alexandra.

Anastasia was the younger sister of Olga, Tatiana and Maria but older than their brother Alexei who was a haemophiliac.

There were rumours that she had survived when the rest of the family were executed by forces of the Bolshevik secret police but this has been disproved by DNA testing.

Photograph, from left to right: Karen Leach (BASH sponsor), Josie Webb (BASH Chairman), Caroline Sharpe (committee member), Marilyn Roberts (Speaker), Sandy Andrews (BASH sponsor).

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Last modified 20 September 2009				Copyright B.A.S.H