Monday 8th April 2019 - “Opencast Mining Uncovers the Past” (Alan Davies)
Growing up in in a mining family in the heart of the Lancashire Coalfield, Alan worked at Parkside, Coventry, Bickershaw and Castle Drift Wigan collieries. He was Colliery Manager at Hilltop Colliery Drift, Bacup, Lancashire’s last coalmine, then becoming Curator of the Salford Mining Museum. He has been documenting opencast sites in the North West for more than 40 years.
For the mining historian open-casting is the equivalent of archaeology on a mammoth scale, the removal of strata revealing evidence from centuries ago, including old workings, artefacts and rare fossils. As an example, open-casting at the Ravenhead site in St Helens uncovered 16th century pillar and stall workings.
This is our last lecture of the current session, delivered by an acknowledged expert. Don’t miss it!
SOME OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY (NON M.I.H. FIXTURES)
Leigh Spinners Mill, Park Lane, Leigh, WN7 2LB - Saturday 20th April (MRIAS)
This is a Grade II* listed structure, comprising a six-storey mill, boiler house and chimney stack built in 1913. It is considered to be at risk by English Heritage. A charity, the Leigh Building Preservation Trust was formed to restore the steam engine and engine house. In 2018 the engine turned for the first time in many years. Meet at 10.45 at the site entrance, there will be a charge of £4.00 (to be donated to the Project). Refreshments are available on site.
If you would like to join this visit, please contact Neil Davies at mrias@btinternet.com
The Mike Stammers Memorial Lecture - 8th May at Merseyside Maritime Museum
Hosted by the Centre for Port and Maritime History, this lecture will commence at 6.15pm and will feature Rachel Mulhearn as speaker. Her title will be “Don’t think of emigrating!”, on the theme of Liverpool and overseas migration during the First World War.
Rainhill 190 Celebrations - 25th to 29th May 2019
During the Spring Bank Holiday Rainhill will be celebrating the 190th anniversary of the Rainhill Trials. A replica of Stephenson’s Rocket, loaned from the Railway Museum in York, will be on display over the three days.
Trip on the Daniel Adamson - Saturday 1st June (MRIAS)
This trip on the 1903 steam ship will take passengers from Anderton to Acton Bridge, returning by coach, with a tour of the Control Room on the Boat Lift. Meet at 11.00 at Anderton boarding point. The cost is £30.00. Numbers are limited to 15. See the contact details above for Neil Davies.
Growing up in in a mining family in the heart of the Lancashire Coalfield, Alan worked at Parkside, Coventry, Bickershaw and Castle Drift Wigan collieries. He was Colliery Manager at Hilltop Colliery Drift, Bacup, Lancashire’s last coalmine, then becoming Curator of the Salford Mining Museum. He has been documenting opencast sites in the North West for more than 40 years.
For the mining historian open-casting is the equivalent of archaeology on a mammoth scale, the removal of strata revealing evidence from centuries ago, including old workings, artefacts and rare fossils. As an example, open-casting at the Ravenhead site in St Helens uncovered 16th century pillar and stall workings.
This is our last lecture of the current session, delivered by an acknowledged expert. Don’t miss it!
SOME OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY (NON M.I.H. FIXTURES)
Leigh Spinners Mill, Park Lane, Leigh, WN7 2LB - Saturday 20th April (MRIAS)
This is a Grade II* listed structure, comprising a six-storey mill, boiler house and chimney stack built in 1913. It is considered to be at risk by English Heritage. A charity, the Leigh Building Preservation Trust was formed to restore the steam engine and engine house. In 2018 the engine turned for the first time in many years. Meet at 10.45 at the site entrance, there will be a charge of £4.00 (to be donated to the Project). Refreshments are available on site.
If you would like to join this visit, please contact Neil Davies at mrias@btinternet.com
The Mike Stammers Memorial Lecture - 8th May at Merseyside Maritime Museum
Hosted by the Centre for Port and Maritime History, this lecture will commence at 6.15pm and will feature Rachel Mulhearn as speaker. Her title will be “Don’t think of emigrating!”, on the theme of Liverpool and overseas migration during the First World War.
Rainhill 190 Celebrations - 25th to 29th May 2019
During the Spring Bank Holiday Rainhill will be celebrating the 190th anniversary of the Rainhill Trials. A replica of Stephenson’s Rocket, loaned from the Railway Museum in York, will be on display over the three days.
Trip on the Daniel Adamson - Saturday 1st June (MRIAS)
This trip on the 1903 steam ship will take passengers from Anderton to Acton Bridge, returning by coach, with a tour of the Control Room on the Boat Lift. Meet at 11.00 at Anderton boarding point. The cost is £30.00. Numbers are limited to 15. See the contact details above for Neil Davies.
VARIOUS UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday 9th March 2019 - Wirral History & Heritage Fair
This is always a very popular event, held at the magnificent Birkenhead Town Hall. MIHS did very well there last year and we are looking for a repeat, with volunteers needed to staff our stand. If you could spare some time on this Saturday, please let the Secretary know.
Monday 11th March 2019 - The Runcorn Locks Project (Graham Wallace)
At its peak the Bridgewater Canal required two sets of double locks in Runcorn between the Top Locks basin and the River Mersey. Over the years the canal fell into disuse culminating in both lock flights being filled in around 1965, at the time of the building of the Runcorn - Widnes (Jubilee) Road Bridge.
The building of a new Runcorn - Widnes Bridge has given the opportunity to re-open one of the two flights of locks, which would outlet into the Manchester Ship Canal, thereby creating several new canal rings.
What will it take to make this dream a reality? Graham Wallace is Chair of the project and he should know!
UPDATE ON THE LONG WEEKEND - 3rd to 6th May
22 people have now signed up for our 43rd annual Long Weekend at Nottingham and we are pleased to announce that we now have a suitable hotel! This will be the Best Western Plus Nottingham Westminster, 312 Mansfield Road, NG5 2EF, where we are assured of a warm welcome. A well as being very interesting the LWE is always a lot of fun. If you fancy coming this year there is still time to book, just contact Pete Purland or Renie Verity. All you will need at this stage is a £25 deposit!
Visits will be selected from the following:
Friday 3rd May
Erewash Museum 10 -16
Bridge Inn, Cotmanhay, for food
Bennerley Viaduct
Saturday 4th May
Bestwood Winding Engine
Canalside Heritage Centre
Framework Knitters Museum, Ruddington
Great Central Nottingham
Sunday 5th May
Papplewick Pumping Station
Green’s Windmill
Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum
Newark Air Museum
Monday 6th May
Nottingham Industrial Museum (Woolaton Hall)
Pleasley Colliery (on way home)
Final costs for the weekend will similar to those in 2018.
FIELD TRIPS 2019
As most people are aware, in 2020 MIHS is co-hosting the National AIA Conference, as part of which we will be guiding parties of delegates around the key IA sites of Merseyside. In preparation for this 2019 will see us inviting members to join us on three “dummy runs” to iron out details of our organization. Here are the dates and visit venues. There will be more details in our next edition.
8th June: Tour of Birkenhead Docks and Pacific Road Tram Museum, Leader Rob Jones
29th June: St Helens area (Rainhill station and museum. Sankey Viaduct and Canal, World of Glass Museum (lunch), IA heritage in St Helens centre, Cannington Shaw and Pilkingtons glass works, Sankey Canal Basin at Blackbrook, Stanley Bank Slitting Mill and Copper Works). Leader, Maurice Handley
13th July: Widnes, Runcorn and Warrington area (Catalyst Museum, Spike Island, the Jubilee Bridge on foot, Runcorn (lunch), Bridgwater Canal, lock flight and railway bridge, Warrington Transporter Bridge or Norton Water Tower). Leader, Maurice Handley
Saturday 9th March 2019 - Wirral History & Heritage Fair
This is always a very popular event, held at the magnificent Birkenhead Town Hall. MIHS did very well there last year and we are looking for a repeat, with volunteers needed to staff our stand. If you could spare some time on this Saturday, please let the Secretary know.
Monday 11th March 2019 - The Runcorn Locks Project (Graham Wallace)
At its peak the Bridgewater Canal required two sets of double locks in Runcorn between the Top Locks basin and the River Mersey. Over the years the canal fell into disuse culminating in both lock flights being filled in around 1965, at the time of the building of the Runcorn - Widnes (Jubilee) Road Bridge.
The building of a new Runcorn - Widnes Bridge has given the opportunity to re-open one of the two flights of locks, which would outlet into the Manchester Ship Canal, thereby creating several new canal rings.
What will it take to make this dream a reality? Graham Wallace is Chair of the project and he should know!
UPDATE ON THE LONG WEEKEND - 3rd to 6th May
22 people have now signed up for our 43rd annual Long Weekend at Nottingham and we are pleased to announce that we now have a suitable hotel! This will be the Best Western Plus Nottingham Westminster, 312 Mansfield Road, NG5 2EF, where we are assured of a warm welcome. A well as being very interesting the LWE is always a lot of fun. If you fancy coming this year there is still time to book, just contact Pete Purland or Renie Verity. All you will need at this stage is a £25 deposit!
Visits will be selected from the following:
Friday 3rd May
Erewash Museum 10 -16
Bridge Inn, Cotmanhay, for food
Bennerley Viaduct
Saturday 4th May
Bestwood Winding Engine
Canalside Heritage Centre
Framework Knitters Museum, Ruddington
Great Central Nottingham
Sunday 5th May
Papplewick Pumping Station
Green’s Windmill
Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum
Newark Air Museum
Monday 6th May
Nottingham Industrial Museum (Woolaton Hall)
Pleasley Colliery (on way home)
Final costs for the weekend will similar to those in 2018.
FIELD TRIPS 2019
As most people are aware, in 2020 MIHS is co-hosting the National AIA Conference, as part of which we will be guiding parties of delegates around the key IA sites of Merseyside. In preparation for this 2019 will see us inviting members to join us on three “dummy runs” to iron out details of our organization. Here are the dates and visit venues. There will be more details in our next edition.
8th June: Tour of Birkenhead Docks and Pacific Road Tram Museum, Leader Rob Jones
29th June: St Helens area (Rainhill station and museum. Sankey Viaduct and Canal, World of Glass Museum (lunch), IA heritage in St Helens centre, Cannington Shaw and Pilkingtons glass works, Sankey Canal Basin at Blackbrook, Stanley Bank Slitting Mill and Copper Works). Leader, Maurice Handley
13th July: Widnes, Runcorn and Warrington area (Catalyst Museum, Spike Island, the Jubilee Bridge on foot, Runcorn (lunch), Bridgwater Canal, lock flight and railway bridge, Warrington Transporter Bridge or Norton Water Tower). Leader, Maurice Handley
OUR NEW YEAR MEETINGS
Monday 14th January 2019 - Thomas Brassey, Railway Builder (Peter Bolt)
Peter is Chair of the project to recognise Thomas Brassey with a statue at Chester, and an expert on the great man’s career.
Monday 11th February 2019 - Members’ Evening
Not so long now! Once again the Secretary is appealing for short contributions to what is usually one of the best meetings of the year. Please get in touch!
Monday 11th March 2019 - The Runcorn Locks Project (Graham Wallace)
Graham Wallace is Chair of the project to recreate the link from the Bridgewater Canal basin in Runcorn down to the Ship Canal.
Monday 8th April 2019 - Memories of the Lancashire Coal Field (Alan Davies)
Alan worked in mining at Parkside, Coventry, Bickershaw, Castle Drift and Wigan collieries and ended up managing Hilltop Colliery, Bacup. This will be a fascinating talk from someone with real hands-on experience.
May 3rd-6th Long Weekend in Nottingham
Flyers available at AGM or contact Peter at petepurland@btopenworld.com
Monday 14th January 2019 - Thomas Brassey, Railway Builder (Peter Bolt)
Peter is Chair of the project to recognise Thomas Brassey with a statue at Chester, and an expert on the great man’s career.
Monday 11th February 2019 - Members’ Evening
Not so long now! Once again the Secretary is appealing for short contributions to what is usually one of the best meetings of the year. Please get in touch!
Monday 11th March 2019 - The Runcorn Locks Project (Graham Wallace)
Graham Wallace is Chair of the project to recreate the link from the Bridgewater Canal basin in Runcorn down to the Ship Canal.
Monday 8th April 2019 - Memories of the Lancashire Coal Field (Alan Davies)
Alan worked in mining at Parkside, Coventry, Bickershaw, Castle Drift and Wigan collieries and ended up managing Hilltop Colliery, Bacup. This will be a fascinating talk from someone with real hands-on experience.
May 3rd-6th Long Weekend in Nottingham
Flyers available at AGM or contact Peter at petepurland@btopenworld.com
Merseyside Industrial Heritage Society Data Protection Privacy Policy
1. Introduction Local societies are required to have a policy on why members’ personal information is collected, how it is used and stored. The purpose of this policy is to comply with the Data Protection Acts.
2. Why do we collect your personal information?
• To record a list of members and manage subscription payments
• To communicate information on meetings, field trips and other matters of interest to members
3. What information do we hold?
• Members’ Names, Postal and Email Addresses and Telephone numbers.
• Speakers’ and partner organisations contact details
4. Who uses this data?
• MIHS Committee members
• The Data Controller is the Chairman
• The Data Processors are the Treasurer (members) and the Secretary (speakers)
5. Where is this information stored?
• Electronic and paper records held by the Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. These officers will keep members’ contact details confidential and not share them with third parties without the permission of the individuals.
6. Types of data • Electronic spread sheets with members’ contact details
• Sign-in books • emails & Correspondence
• Photographs of individuals. Website & Facebook
7. Consent for data collection & storage
• All members of MIHS are asked for their personal details and for their consent to store this information.
• This privacy notice is displayed on the MIHS website and a copy is given to all prospective members.
8. Retention of Personal Information
• Members’ personal information will be stored as long as they are members.
• If a member should leave the Society this information will be destroyed following an annual review of membership records. Members failing to pay their subscription will be assumed to have left.
• If an ex-member wishes to continue to receive communications from MIHS their details may be held until they ask for this to discontinue.
• Other records will be stored only for as long as it is necessary. For example speakers may be asked to return to give a further talk.
9. Rights of individuals The GDPR includes the following rights for individuals:
• the right of access;
• the right to rectification;
• the right to erasure;
• the right to restrict processing;
the right to object
1. Introduction Local societies are required to have a policy on why members’ personal information is collected, how it is used and stored. The purpose of this policy is to comply with the Data Protection Acts.
2. Why do we collect your personal information?
• To record a list of members and manage subscription payments
• To communicate information on meetings, field trips and other matters of interest to members
3. What information do we hold?
• Members’ Names, Postal and Email Addresses and Telephone numbers.
• Speakers’ and partner organisations contact details
4. Who uses this data?
• MIHS Committee members
• The Data Controller is the Chairman
• The Data Processors are the Treasurer (members) and the Secretary (speakers)
5. Where is this information stored?
• Electronic and paper records held by the Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. These officers will keep members’ contact details confidential and not share them with third parties without the permission of the individuals.
6. Types of data • Electronic spread sheets with members’ contact details
• Sign-in books • emails & Correspondence
• Photographs of individuals. Website & Facebook
7. Consent for data collection & storage
• All members of MIHS are asked for their personal details and for their consent to store this information.
• This privacy notice is displayed on the MIHS website and a copy is given to all prospective members.
8. Retention of Personal Information
• Members’ personal information will be stored as long as they are members.
• If a member should leave the Society this information will be destroyed following an annual review of membership records. Members failing to pay their subscription will be assumed to have left.
• If an ex-member wishes to continue to receive communications from MIHS their details may be held until they ask for this to discontinue.
• Other records will be stored only for as long as it is necessary. For example speakers may be asked to return to give a further talk.
9. Rights of individuals The GDPR includes the following rights for individuals:
• the right of access;
• the right to rectification;
• the right to erasure;
• the right to restrict processing;
the right to object
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM FOR 2018 – 2019 SEASON
Name(s)………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Email address………………………………………………………………………………………..
Tel No………………………………… Mobile………………………………………
Are you willing to receive the MIHS Bulletin by email? Yes No
If the answer is “No” and you wish to receive the Bulletin as hard copy, we are asking you to pay an
extra £3 as a contribution towards the increased postage costs.
Full Time Student £10 Family £22
Single £16 Institutional £22
Postage (see above) £3
Please find enclosed Cash or Cheque (payable to MIHS) amounting to £ ……
Please give to your Treasurer at a meeting or send to
Renee Verity 01928 724804
Name(s)………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Email address………………………………………………………………………………………..
Tel No………………………………… Mobile………………………………………
Are you willing to receive the MIHS Bulletin by email? Yes No
If the answer is “No” and you wish to receive the Bulletin as hard copy, we are asking you to pay an
extra £3 as a contribution towards the increased postage costs.
Full Time Student £10 Family £22
Single £16 Institutional £22
Postage (see above) £3
Please find enclosed Cash or Cheque (payable to MIHS) amounting to £ ……
Please give to your Treasurer at a meeting or send to
Renee Verity 01928 724804
