ELHAS News - May & June 2010

We didn't hold a meeting during May due to the bank holiday, but none the less it has proved to be a very busy month.

On Tuesday 11th and 18th of May children from St Theresa's Primary school visited the Heritage Centre to hear a talk by Jacki and Bob Lawrence on life in Victorian Cross Gates. Over 50 children and six teachers attended the sessions and the children seemed to enjoy the experience very much. It was obvious from the questions they asked that they had a lively interest in the subject. They were also most taken by the Victorian costume worn by Jacki, especially the hat!!

Saturday 15th May saw us manning a stall in the Crossgates Shopping Centre. We had provided a photographic display of images from Victorian and Edwardian Cross Gates and Seacroft and this was very well received by the shoppers passing the stall. There was also much interest in the publications for sale and we were very happy with the number of sales of books and journals we achieved. The money raised will go towards a PA system for use at our monthly meetings. Thanks to Barbara Blakeley, Margaret Barnbrook, Peter Walls, John Fieldhouse, Sylvia Wright and Mandy Pitts for their help on the day.

We have also put up a new display in the Heritage Centre. Mr Brian Hull from Parlington Hall has been kind enough to lend us a display of items found in the grounds if the Hall, along with some lovely photographs of the Hall over the years. This display has recently been on show at Lotherton Hall and we are most grateful to Mr Hull for lending these items. The display will be on show until the end of August , so do go along to see it.

On Thursday 10th June Jacki and Bob spent the morning at Austhorpe Primary School delivering an illustrated presentation entitled "A History of Austhorpe" to the children. The talk touched on the history of Austhorpe through the ages from the stone age until the early 20th century. It was attended by over 100 children in two sessions , and was very well received . We were delighted to get some photos of the event from Mrs Ware the teacher who arranged for us to visit the school. We have been informed that the children were inspired by the talk and have been visiting several locations in Austhorpe mentioned in the talk.

We are always glad of the opportunity to speak about the heritage of the area to local children. We hope to offer this presentation in the Heritage Room in Cross Gates library later in the year.