Barnsley Civic Trust Archives - Barnsley Civic Trust

Historic Buildings in Barnsley Town Centre: Friday 13th September Tour

Barnsley Civic Trust has a guided walk around Barnsley Town Centre on Friday 13th September. It tells the history of the Town through some of the historic and architecturally interesting buildings which can be seen today.

The tour includes a visit to the historic Miners Hall in Barnsley where the NUM Archivist will talk about the many historic NUM colliery banners which are kept there and the small museum in the building.

The tour lasts about 2½ hours, starts at 10.30am and there’s about a mile of walking.

There are still a few places left on the tour and you can book a place by emailing contact@barnsleycivictrust.org.uk.

The tour was initially open to members but non-members can now book a place on this tour. If there is a wider demand, tours will be repeated at a later date.

Barnsley Civic Trust 2024 AGM

The Barnsley Civic Trust AGM will take place at 6.00pm on Thursday 10th October in the Council Chamber at Barnsley Town Hall. Further information will be emailed to members.

The AGM proceedings will be kept short before an illustrated presentation on “Fascinating Stories of Eldon Street” by Dr Tegwen Roberts.

George Orwell’s stay in Barnsley: Blue Plaque and Talk

One of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century, George Orwell stayed in Barnsley in 1936. He wanted to see for himself the living conditions of working class people for his book ‘The Road To Wigan Pier’. He stayed at a house in Agnes Terrace, still there today. A Blue Plaque commemorating George Orwell’s stay in Barnsley was unveiled on Friday 26 April.

The main event to mark the occasion was a talk by Edana Guest about George Orwell’s time in Barnsley, his experiences and what he found out. It was in the Miners’ Hall, Victoria Road, next door to the NUM building.

Edana has written an article about George Orwell’s stay in Barnsley in the excellent ‘Memories of Barnsley’.

The unveiling of the Blue Plaque then took place as a small event in Day Street at the end of Agnes Terrace.

Edana Guest, Quintin Kopp, Linda Burgess and Milly Johnson at the unveiling.

This event was held in partnership with Barnsley Archives & Local Studies. We are pleased that the Chair of the Orwell Society, Quentin Kopp, was present and made some interesting comments. Richard Blair, George Orwell’s son and Patron of the Society was unfortunately not able to be there.

Our thanks to Edana Guest for all she has done to arrange this event.

The Rise and Fall of the Linen Industry in Barnsley’, the 2024 Bramah Lecture, given by Bill Gaunt.

Linen industry weavers’ cottages. Thanks to the Tasker Trust for the image.

In the period either side of 1800, Barnsley was the leading linen producer in England. This is the fascinating story of the linen industry in Barnsley and will cover the physical and cultural heritage of that bygone prosperity.

The 2024 Bramah Lecture is on Monday 8th April in the Learning Lab at Barnsley Town Hall, starting at 6.30pm. Use Barnsley Town Hall’s ‘Experience Barnsley’ entrance from Barnsley Pals Centenary Square. All welcome.

On this occasion there is a limit on numbers able to get in the room, so it’s essential to let us know if you intend to come. We can’t let people in beyond the capacity of the room!
Email allenparks22@hotmail.com to reserve a place.

The Bramah Lecture is an annual lecture commemorating the inventor, Joseph Bramah; it has taken place in Barnsley since 1999, sponsored by Barnsley Council. Barnsley Archives and Local Studies, Barnsley Civic Trust and South Yorkshire Industrial History Society are jointly organising this year’s lecture.

John Love

Barnsley Civic Trust has been very saddened by the death of its Chairman, John Love.

John was a hardworking and dedicated member of the Trust and was very fond of his home town.

He passed away peacefully on February 26th.

John has chaired the Trust since Covid times and helped to get it going again after it temporarily ceased to operate.

John had served on the Trust’s Executive Committee for many years before the pandemic and was responsible, among other things, for the success of its Blue Plaques scheme.

John Love (central) with the Blue Plaque to Joseph Bramah at Wentworth Castle.

john Love (centre), Chair Barnsley Civic Trust, with the Joseph Bramah Blue Plaque at Wentworth Castle

John will be much missed. He was active in many walks of life.

What was in the News about Barnsley in the 1800s?

A talk on ‘What was in the News about Barnsley in the 1800s’ by Josh Daniels. To be held in Barnsley Town Hall at 6.30pm on Thursday 21 March. Hear all about it! Click on this post to tell us if you intend to attend.

Barnsley was flourishing in the 1800s —and the media knew the country had to be told of what was going on in this industrial powerhouse. This talk will go over some of the daily goings on and the major events that the press picked up on, ranging from tragedies, to successes, to places that are vastly different to where we know and love today.

Joshua Daniels is a historian, filmmaker, and heritage tour guide. Barnsley Civic Trust talks are held in partnership with Barnsley Archives and Local Studies Service and are open to all to attend. Tell us if you intend to come.

Presentation by Ronnie Steele

‘Build It For Barry’, ‘A Blue Plaque For Brian Glover’ and ‘Norman Rimmington – Forever One Of Our Own’.

Barnsley Civic Trust is delighted to present a talk by local author, Ronnie Steele: Dramatic tales of Barry Hines, Brian Glover, and Norman Rimmington —and growing up in the 1960s! The talk will be held in the Council Chamber at Barnsley Town Hall, commencing at 6.30pm, on Thursday 25th January 2024.

Encouraged by author, Milly Johnson, and sculptor, Graham Ibbeson, Ronnie wrote stories about his heroes and published three highly acclaimed books containing 70 tales about growing up in Barnsley.

28 years a teacher in Barnsley, Ronnie seized the opportunity of honouring his favourite teachers, Barry Hines, author of Kes, and actor, Brian Glover who taught him at Longcar Central School during the 1960s, before they became famous. Norman Rimmington, of course, is a legendary figure of Barnsley FC.

Ronnie led projects for a statue in honour of Barry Hines, and a Barnsley Civic Trust Blue Plaque for Brian Glover.

We were pleased to see Barnsley Chronicle’s article about Ronnie’s talk …

Mining under Barnsley, a talk in the Miners’ Hall, Thursday 19 October

Paul Darlow giving a talk to a group in the Miners Hall

Paul Darlow gave a great talk on the fascinating history of the mining of coal under Barnsley Town Centre and the area around it. Paul Darlow is an Author, Historian, Curator and former Miner.

The talk was held in the NUM Miners’ Hall in Victoria Road, itself steeped in history and well worth a visit in its own right.

A Barnsley Civic Trust talk: Thursday 19 October, 7pm in the Miners’ Hall in Victoria Road, next door to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) building. All welcome.

A blue plaque for Joseph Bramah

We celebrated Joseph Bramah at Wentworth Castle Gardens on Tuesday 12th September, during Heritage Open Days.

Joseph Bramah (1748 to 1814), from Stainborough, was one of Britain’s most important inventors and the father of hydraulic power. Amongst many other things, he invented a lock that could not be picked, a beer pump, a flushing toilet, hydraulic presses and devices for pulling up trees.

Barnsley Museums have the original 1791 continuous fire pump made by Joseph Bramah for Wentworth Castle, the first of its kind. It can be seen at Experience Barnsley at Barnsley Town Hall.

Barnsley Civic Trust and
National Trust Wentworth Castle Gardens.
Heritage Open Day: Free Entrance to Wentworth Castle Gardens
#BarnsleyHeritageMonth

Barnsley Civic Trust Talks

The Barnsley Civic trust programme of talks includes:

Thursday 19 October ‘Mining under Barnsley’. Paul Darlow will give a talk on the fascinating history of the mining of coal under Barnsley Town Centre and the surrounding area. Venue: Miners Hall.

Thursday 16 November: History of the Barnsley Trinity Players, a presentation on the history of the theatre group by Phil Johnson.

Thursday 30 November: Development of Barnsley Town Centre, a presentation on recent and forthcoming developments by Kathy McArdle, Service Director Culture and Regeneration, Barnsley Council.

Other talks include: Blue Plaques for Brian Glover and Barry Hines by Ronnie Steele on 25 January; Barnsley Canal by Stephen Woodcock on 29 February and Barnsley News in the 1800s by Josh Daniels on 21 March 2024

Talks are open to members and non-members

Watch this space for details of other talks and activities.