Local History Talks 2024

Friday 19 January 2024 Shops, pubs and industry in Bishophill Much of Bishophill’s housing dates from the 19th century and still remains, in short terraced residential streets, giving it a distinctive identity. Within these, the corner shop was an important feature of everyday life in the local community, with many in Bishophill and along Skeldergate over the last 200 years. Almost all of these are now gone, with intriguing shapes in the brickwork hinting at old times. Our next book will feature the shops, pubs and old industries in Bishophill, and Susan Major will be highlighting some of the latest findings from our researches.

'Thank you for tonight's talk. Fascinating! Concise, accurate and left you wanting more, or at least looking at the area in a new way. What could be better?'

'As new members we thoroughly enjoyed the talk and the photographs last night and are looking forward to the next one.'

'An interesting insight not only to the Poor Laws in the 19th century, but also into how historical researchers work and the sources they use.'

'Absolutely fascinating talk, thank you.'

'Thank you! Great maps'

All talks this year will be held at Clements Hall, starting at 7.45 pm.

Please note we are unable to let you in until 7.30pm, because of earlier activity in the Hall. 

Friday 19 January 2024
Shops, pubs and industry in Bishophill

Much of Bishophill’s housing dates from the 19th century and still remains, in short terraced residential streets, giving it a distinctive identity. Within these, the corner shop was an important feature of everyday life in the local community, with many in Bishophill and along Skeldergate over the last 200 years. Almost all of these are now gone, with intriguing shapes in the brickwork hinting at old times. Our next book will feature the shops, pubs and old industries in Bishophill, and Susan Major will be highlighting some of the latest findings from our researches.

Friday 22 March 2024
TE Cooke’s factory and St Mary Bishophill Senior 

Two talks for the price of one! 

Two of our members, David Harbourne and Rob Stay, will each talk about their research. During the First World War, T. Cooke and Sons needed to boost production of optical instruments for the armed forces. Drawing on archives held at the Borthwick Institute, David Harbourne will outline the history of the new factory in Bishophill Junior, designed by renowned architect Walter Brierley.
Rob Stay will talk about the history and sad demise of the church of St Mary Bishophill Senior, which used to stand where the community garden is now, opposite the Golden Ball.

Friday 24 May 2024

Writing your family or local history

Jackie Depelle, Family History Tutor and public speaker, will talk about turning your family history research into something more, maybe a publishable narrative.

Friday 20 September 2024
Images of York: the Evelyn and Hanstock Collection
John Shaw, from the Yorkshire Architectural and York Archaeological Society, will show fascinating images of York and Yorkshire from the Evelyn and Hanstock collections. These cover the period from the late 19th into the 20th century.

Friday 22 November 2024
South Parade, 200 years
Peter Thompson, one of our members, will talk about South Parade. The foundation stone of South Parade, ‘in the suburbs of York’ was laid in November 1823. A venture by the York Commercial Building Company, a group of private subscribers, the parade of 20 houses was completed in 1828. This illustrated talk will follow the history of the street and some of the characters who have lived there.

You can become a member of the History Group for a small sum of £5 for the year, which gives you reduced fee (£1) to talks and walks. You can add £5 to pay for all the talks this year, details here. Non-members are also very welcome, see here. 

Please note in 2024 we are offering online only membership for £5. This type of membership entitles the member to view recordings of the talks at home on a computer or tablet. The online member would receive the link automatically as soon as the recording is made, usually a week or so after the live talk. We record all the talks that we are allowed to by the speakers. Very occasionally a speaker does not wish to be recorded. (All five talks in 2023 were recorded.)

Contact us by email clemhallmembership@gmail.com, or alternatively leave a note at Clements Hall.

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