Barking and District Historical Society

BARKING AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
www.barkinghistory.co.uk

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2014

SOCIETY NEWS

Welcome to the launch of our 80th anniversary season – my thanks to Bill for all the hard work he  has put into producing the Frank Tingey booklet and preparing for the talk this evening,

I am sad to report that Malcolm Green, a long time member of the society died last month aged 74. Malcolm was Barking born and bred. He attended Northbury School. On leaving school he worked for Colaro and then Barking and Thurrock power stations. The  Society was represented at the funeral in Hainault. We send our heartfelt sympathy to his widow Carole and their two children (son Colin works for Barking and Dagenham’s Heritage Service).

On a happier note we offer our congratulations to Linda Needham on the birth in Canada of her first grandchild Claire Somerset.

Bill Law has now left hospital and is in a care home; I have spoken to him and he seems in good spirits.

We had a very enjoyable visit to the Poppy Factory in Richmond on 28th July and even got to make our own poppies. It was also our guide Ian’s last day and he was presented  with a medal and other gifts by the CEO of the factory. Many thanks to Katie Avagah for organising this as the first visit of the new BDHS Walkies  group.

Our president, Bill George, attended a meeting at the Ripple Hall last month at the invitation of the new leader of the Council, Darren Rodwell to hear about his plans for the future.

Our next meeting is on Monday 6th October when Linda Cohen talks about her book Notorious militant: the story of the TGWU/UNITE branch at the Ford Motor Company.

Is anyone interested in visiting the old Granary Building in Barking? If you are please let know and I will fix a date and time with the Regeneration team.

EVENTS

6th–7th September  Upminster Windmill Open Days. The Mill Field, St. Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QL.

Tuesday 9th September Talk: A step in time (history of ladies shoes) by Ann Hardy. Friends of Valence House, Visitor Centre, Becontree Avenue.  3pm. Members free, visitors £1.50.

Tuesday 9th September Talk: Fashion 1860-1914 by Dr. Katy Pettit. Newham History Society. 7.45pm at the Didsbury Centre, Didsbury Close, East Ham,  E6 2RX. Non-members £2.

Saturday 13th September. Talk:The 17 th century housewife, by Ann Hardy. East  of London Family History Barking branch. 2pm at St. Elisabeth Church Hall, Wood Lane, Dagenham, Visitors welcome.

13th-14th September London Transport Museum Depot at Acton Town open  days. 11am – 5pm. District Line tube to Acton Town.

Tuesday 16th September Archaeology for beginners workshop with Mark Watson. Valence House Museum, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham. 7pm. Booking  essential 020 8227 2034.

Wednesday 17th September Talk: Our year: an overview of current projects at  Valence House, by Mark Watson. Chadwell Heath Historical Society. Wangey Chapel, Wangey Road, Chadwell Heath at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome £1.50. Telephone 020 8590 4659 for more details.

20th-21st September London Open House weekend. Programmes are available  on the information table and at local libraries.

Saturday 29th November Friends of Valence House Winter Sale. 10am-3pm. Valence House Museum Visitor Centre.

Now available from Valence House! A new CD-ROM Barking Ancestors: Rippleside cemetery 1886-1902. St. Margaret’s churchyard and monumental inscriptions and Barking 100 years ago by Herbert Hope Lockwood.  Price £5. Would make an ideal Christmas present for history buffs.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR INFORMATION TABLE FOR DETAILS OF MORE EVENTS, FREE LEAFLETS, ETC.

John Blake – Chairman
barkinghistorical@hotmail.com 0208 597 7210