31st January 2024

Friday 22 March 2024

TE Cooke’s factory and St Mary Bishophill Senior Church

Two talks for the price of one! 

Our next talk is on Friday 22 March 2024, at 7.45pm in Clements Hall. Please note our doors will be open at 7.30 pm. 

Two of our members, David Harbourne and Rob Stay, will each talk about their research.

(The former Buckingham No 2 Works on the corner of Bishophill Senior)

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.

(St Mary Bishophill Senior Church, by George Nicholson 1825, courtesy of York Museums Trust, York Art Gallery)

You can become a member of the History Group for £5 for 2024, which gives you reduced entry (£1) to talks. Non-members are also welcome, at a cost of £3 on the door.

All welcome, a bar and hot drinks will be available.

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.)

There are a small number of free parking spaces near Clements Hall. It is also easily accessible by buses stopping in Blossom Street (walk along Moss Street opposite the Everyman Cinema).

If you have any queries please leave a message at Clements Hall on 01904 466086 or email clemhallmembership@gmail.com