A&D U3A Int Grp 3

Ambleside & District U3A Interest Groups

Home Page:

Picture Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

French Advanced Conversation

This small group meets at 7.00 pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
We discuss, in French, a topic selected in advance by the group.
Additionally, we may translate a French passage, or view a French video.
A good level of conversational French is required.

Genealogy

This newly formed group’s initial aim is to share knowledge and experiences of exploring family history, including topics such as ways of recording your family tree, public records and web-accessible databases.
We had our first meeting in September 2011 and are still working on our programme but we hope to include a visit to the Kendal Record Office in November.

Whether you are an experienced genealogist or a complete newcomer who would like to delve into your family history, if only you knew how, if you would like to join us or receive details of our programme call the coordinator.

Spanish Advanced Conversation

This small group now meets at 10.00 am on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month.
We discuss, in Spanish, a topic selected in advance by the group.
We may also translate a passage of relevance to current affairs.
A good level of conversational Spanish is required.

Living History / Oral History

Do you enjoy reminiscing about the past and the times through which you have lived? If you do, you may enjoy this reminiscence group.
Members take turns in selecting and introducing a theme to which others add their own reflections.
Any member who wishes to share memories will be given the opportunity to do so.

This is the remit of the group but it is now lacking a coordinator.

The final meeting of this Living History group was on 17th January 2012. No-one has yet come forward to take over from Margaret Holden and the group will fall into abeyance until a replacement comes forward.
Margaret has been coordinator for six successful years with an average of ten members per meeting and all those who have attended meetings are very grateful to her. She says in return that it has been a pleasure to work with this lively group.
She has in her possession a boxed set of DVDs relating to past events, one of which will be used at the final meeting.boxed set was purchased by U3A and will be passed back for future use.

A visit to Ladywood

On 15^th. November 2011 the Living History Group spent an absorbing afternoon at the home of the Hon. Christopher Morris, founder and Life Member of Ambleside and District U3A.
A wealth of archival material had been set out for our perusal: architectural plans, genealogy charts, manuscripts and diaries. Family portraits included those of Christopher’s grandfather, Ernest de Selincourt, Professor of Poetry at Oxford and eminent Wordsworthian, and of his father, Professor Charles Morris, a Vice Chancellor of the University of Leeds, who was awarded a Life Peerage at the time of the Harold Wilson government.
Christopher’s family history encompassed a Royalist uprising in 19^th. century France, a chateau in Picardy, the battle of the Somme, the dreaming spires of Oxford and the opening of the Wordsworth Museum at Dove Cottage.
We heard names that read like a Who’s Who of British cultural life in the 20^th. century including Poet Laureate John Masefield, the artist Gilbert Spencer and the writer A A Milne.

Each member of the group had an interest in a particular aspect of Christopher’s family history. One wanted to know more about the building in 1904 of Ladywood with its commanding lake views. Another wanted to hear about the creation of the garden. I wanted to hear about Professor de Selincourt’s pioneering efforts to allow women to be admitted to degree courses and about his retirement spent poring over Wordsworth’s manuscripts in a secret room at Dove Cottage.
Others were intrigued by the story of Churchill dispatching the old guard of the Civil Service to Warwick Castle whilst men like Charles Morris were brought into the Government Service to perform valuable war work, in Charles’s case the organization of Atlantic convoys and the steady supply of timber from the Baltic countries. Whilst this work was being undertaken, Ladywood, his home, was being shared with the Bohemians in Exile from the Royal College of Art.
One member of our group had been a student at the University of Leeds in the 1950s. By dint of keeping out of trouble or at least not being found out, his first encounter with the Vice Chancellor was on Graduation Day when he received his degree from the Princess Royal who was attended by her page, Nicholas Morris, Christopher’s young son. This same member recollects Professor Morris being regarded by students as a firm, fair and wise Vice Chancellor. This was evident when we saw the beautifully illuminated Latin testimonial presented to him by his students on the occasion of his retirement.

This was Living History at its best! The Reminiscence Group is indebted to Christopher for sharing his story and to Jessie for making us so welcome and serving a lovely tea. Margaret Holden

Yoga

This group meets at random intervals to practice Yoga and movement.
If you are interested in taking part or would like further information, Please contact the Coordinator.

Local History

Please note that the Local History group now meets on the Third Monday of each month at 2:15 pm in the Ambleside Library Meeting Room.
A varied programme is offered.

Some meetings are addressed by members and some by outside speakers.

We also visit local museums and other places of interest.

Suggestions for future meetings are always welcome.
All U3A members are welcome.

Local History News

Please note that some of the 'older' News will be transferred from the Home Page to this space, from time to time, as below:

Romans by the River

Herewith three articles written by members of the A Roman

Local History Group who helped at the excavations at the Galava Fort at Waterhead in the 'summer' of 2011.

[1] Sylvia Foreman: When Jamie Lund (Archaelogist for the National Trust in the North West) called in at a Local History meeting last May to invite volunteers to help in the archaelogical dig at Waterhead I was immediately keen to help, having never had the opportunity to take part in such an enterprise.
On a sunny warm day (I was lucky) once at the site I was made to feel part of a team. After an introductory talk and being shown how to identify Roman artifacts, how to trowel and use other pieces of equipment, then signing various health & safety forms I was let loose to clear away grass, earth and rubble that had collected on the walls of the Armoury over the decades since R.G. Collingwood in the 1920's.
Well organised with waste and turf recycled into earlier excavated sections, the day passed quickly always hoping I would find something obviously Roman but with the satisfaction of exposing walls that would be stabalised & consolidated with a lime mortar solution. Eventually, quite suddenly, I unearthed a terracotta flat object and after querying it with Jamie (it lay just outside the wall) I carefully removed it to find it was indeed a broken Roman tile identified by a clear nail hole. 'The find of the day' said Jamie in excitement - and he ran off to show the tile to other volunteers and archaelogists - I have not seen it since.

So, highlights - working with professional arahaeologists and with four 17 year old volunteers - it was at the time of the city riots. A wonderful opportunity and hopefully to be repeated next summer when the final section, the Commander's House, is to be uncovered.

[2] Elizabeth Haworth: Archaeology at Galava. [plus an image in the Picture Gallery]

As an environmental historian I have been a ‘jack of all trades’ involved in the many aspects as the changing post-glacial landscape rapidly became affected by man’s activities and lifestyle. Even the Roman’s left more than stone walls. That is why I was keen to be involved with recent work on the National Trust’s Roman Fort at Waterhead. I also had an interest in the Collingwood involvement; with the link to the archaeological influence on Arthur Ransome’s stories.
I was glad to have the chance of hands-on experience even if this wasn’t original excavation. There were finds, however, both large (a cobbled area) and small (a nail). We had a good deal of discussion as to whether any of the stonework was in situ, or just replaced haphazardly when the original dig was back-filled and overlaid with turf. Some lintels were clearly out of place!
Careful soil and stone removal seemed endless and certain tools were more useful than others. The two gazeboes were essential parts of the equipment for keeping the work areas dry (as well as the workers!). In rebuilding those walls on the Roman layout, we were probably also returning stone borrowed for the building of that old field wall.

Would I repeat the exercise, well maybe! It was good fun and good company.

[3] Nigel Riley: A few days practical archaeology, supervised by experts seemed like a good idea when I volunteered. In the sunshine, on the first of my days as we unearthed Collingwood's excavations from the 1920s , the excitement of an occasional piece of pottery or a tile that he'd missed seemed to confirm it. It seemed less so the next day as we crowded into a large tent to shelter from the strong wind and rain to replace the stones in the walls and weatherproof them with barrow-loads of mortar.
Under the expert guidance, one's skill with the trowel, used for pointing, improved out of all recognition. Even more enjoyable were the interesting asides and conversations. For example, the memorial stone for Flavius, found outside the fort, records he was killed inside the fort by an arrow fired over the wall. Clearly, the 'locals' had been hostile during part of the fort's occupation.
Talking to the Clerk of Works revealed that our work was a trial to see what could be achieved by supervised volunteers, because the National Trust was considering abandoning directly employed staff and using only contract labour. An immediate drawback would be the lack of someone to attend National Trust properties in an emergency, and a question mark as to whether volunteers would be willing to contribute without the same level of skilled guidance. The fire at Allen Bank meant the Clerk of Works had to depart to prepare for the work to replace the ceilings and plasterwork. On his return he showed us a remarkable book illustrated with examples of the extraordinary designs and magnificent plasterwork.

All in all a worthwhile, interesting experience with practical insights into the skills employed in preserving our heritage. Thoroughly recommended, especially if the sun shines.

More Local History Reports, 2010

Tour of Kendal Yards, 24th June 2010

On a warm, sunny evening and led by Trevor Hughes, a Blue Badge Guide from the Kendal Civic Trust Society, the group went on a very enjoyable walk around the Yards and back streets of Kendal.
Yards are the alleyways between the properties built along the main road through Kendal. Often known as Crofts or Garths each Yard was 220 yards long (a furlong) and a chain (22 yards) between each, allowing sufficient space for the main house in which lived the owner of the factory, warehouse, workshop which was sited behind around the courtyard.
The first part of each Yard is covered and sufficiently wide to allow coaches and carts to pass. The front door of each house opened on to a Yard so passengers would be sheltered on entering or leaving the building. Some of the these front porches or kerbs are still in place.
Also explored were the back streets and steps leading to the later building of the 19th and 20th centuries. including the first school built in 1819 and the Quaker burial ground.
Many of the business men were Quakers, Kendal being an important centre for Quakerism.
The evening was completed with a drink at The Wakefield Arms named after one of Kendal's founding fathers.

Ring Cairns. Six stalwart members of this group met on 27th May 2010 at Newfield Inn in the Dunnerdale Valley and from there after a short drive climbed a track and across open heathland and bog to explore the Ring Cairns located in the Seathwaite Tarn Valley. See the Picture Gallery.
These had been excavated under the Ring Cairns to Reservoirs project in 2005 & 2007 by the Duddon Valley Local History Group and the Lake District National Park.
Ring Cairns are ceremonial monuments that were constructed in the upland areas of Britain in the Bronze Age between 2,000 and 1,000 BC. So in driving rain for part of the climb ring cairn sites were identified and it was clearly obvious that they are man made, a circular bank of stones ranging from 1.5m. to 3m wide and up to 0.5m high and from which there were spectacular views.
Fortunately the rain cleared so we lunched sheltered from the cold wind overlooking Seathwaite Tarn and then went on to explore further, identifying more of these ring cairns whilst the weather continued to improve.
A very satisfied group meandered back to their cars having experienced a little of the Duddon Valley's Group primary research.

Stained Glass. The previous meeting was another very successful coach outing this time to Brampton Church and Lanercost Priory to see the Pre-Raphaelite stained glass.
Led by Pru Bliss and Christine Boyce (herself a successful stained glass craftsman) the wonderful effects achieved by Burne-Jones were explained to us in detail as well as a tour of the Priory ruins.
Finally a visit inside the vicarage which included a Pele Tower and of course time spent in the excellent new restaurant and tea rooms.

Local History Meeting February 2007

The February meeting of the Local History Group was fortunate not only to have as the speaker Hugh Wright, author of the biography on Stanley Webb Davies, but for it to take place at Gatesbield, Windermere, the home Stanley had built for himself and his wife Emily.
We were able to examine in detail the furniture made and still in use. With Hugh Wright's knowledgeable explanations about the making and carving of the tables, chairs, bookcases, cupboards etc., the group was able to appreciate the quality of craftmanship and the artistic simplicity of the designs.

Local History Meeting 23rd March 2006

Local consultant geologist Iain Williamson gave the group an introductory talk on Mining in Cumbria - Ores of Cumbria - the theme for part of this year's programme.
He explained with the help of samples, geological maps and slides how such a variety of minerals came to be found in the fault lines of the rocks. For example, if you ever wondered why there are Limekilns south of Ambleside by the A591 it is due to streaks of limestone passing through Ambleside to Coniston tucked in between Borrowdale Volcanic to the north and Coniston Slate to the south.
Such was the wealth of information and knowledge of his subject and the numerous questions that followed it was decided to postpone the second half of the meeting, a talk on mining by Shirley Hill, to later in the year.

Following this theme there was a visit on 27^th April to mines on the West Coast of Cumbria.
Pictures of this visit appear on the Tenth Anniversary Page.

Local History Report, February 2006

In February there was a visit to the Jerwood Centre, Grasmere where the curator, Geoff Chowton showed the group some of the priceless treasures held there including original diaries of Dorothy Wordsworth, the many rewrites William had made of his poetry throughout his life and the recently acquired Turner etching of The Lakes.
Also shown were photographic records of Grasmere both buildings and inhabitants collected over time and now for the first time put together as reference material.

Local History and Lakeland Poets

The January 2006 meeting of The Local History Group drew together 30 members to hear Susan Axford talk on the wives and sisters of the 'Lakeland Poets', concentrating for this first talk on the Wordsworth women.
She emphasized how much he depended on his women, how busy their lives were, constantly visiting their friends, likewise constantly entertaining, and how frugal and careful had to be their management of the household economy.
She particularly emphasised what hypochondriacs were both William and his sister Dorothy and their strange relationship, Dorothy often referring to William as 'her beloved'.
Mary, his wife appears to have accepted this with equanimity for theirs was a love match.
The group look forward to another talk by Susan next time on Samuel Taylor Coleridge, his wife and their relationship.

Local History on Windermere

Dr. Roger Sweeting of the Freshwater Biological Association, an independent organisation and registered charity, gave the Group a very interesting and stimulating talk in June 2005 on the changes to Lake Windermere.
He concentrated particularly on the last 60 years when water quality worsened through to the 1980's and since then gradually improved as less pollutants were added from land drainage and sewage.
During this period the water temperature has gradually risen a little every few months as had the quantity of rain. The Association has also noted change in types of fish, birds and plants, particularly the loss of the massed reed beds.
Dr Sweeting would be very interested to find photographs of the Lake, particularly of the foreshore of islands and mainland taken over the last 50 years. If there is any member who has such records could you please let either of the coordinators know.
Likewise if anyone would consider becoming a member of this scientific freshwater association further information is available from their website www.fba.org.uk or from the co-ordinators.

Local History at Sizergh Castle: A crowd of over 30 members met at Sizergh in April 2005 for a guided tour of this 'Castle'.
Having enjoyed the previous month's meeting when volunteer National Trust guide Dick White told us of its history and all about the Strickland family who owned the castle until 1950 (they still live in one of the wings) we were able to see all of this first-hand.
The history came to life as we were shown round the richly furnished rooms, with their 16th century wooden panelled walls from which hung many of the family portraits. We were reminded of some of the more colourful members of this family with their strong Catholic faith which led to exile, and their return to continue building and adapting the house, removing one floor to create a medieval banqueting hall.
They even sold some panelling to the V&A in 1890. Fortunately this was carefully restored to the house 100 years later.

For the Meeting 25th November 2004, the upper room of the Ambleside library was full to hear The Rev. Doreen Harrison give her talk on life as a vicar of three rural parishes - Colton, Rusland and Satterthwaite.
She began by showing slides of the churches, their interiors and windows, and told us a little of their history, including tales of important burials both in the past and present day.
She continued with illustrations of the villages, farms, the life of her farming parishioners, the church halls and the local school now down in numbers to barely double figures. She told us of the difficulties of commuting to and from Ambleside in all weathers along narrow, winding roads not built for modern tractors and trucks.
Of particular interest was her account of her role in helping farmers cope with the 2001 Foot & Mouth epidemic already an important part of our local history.
Doreen Harrison last spoke to the Group two years ago so hopefully she will be willing to give another talk in the future.
Thanks must go to Don Elliott who helped set up the equipment and to those who helped with the refreshments.

The September 2004 meeting of the Local History Group was a talk by group member Susan Axford entitled The De Quincey Dilemma - was he Victim or Villain? Thomas de Quincey

What was heard was a superb, memorable account of De Quincey from birth to death. His difficult tragic childhood with the early death of three of his closest siblings followed by that of his father and a dominating mother who undermined this small, delicate but highly intelligent boy, all his life.
Then his wish to be accepted by Wordsworth as a true friend and poet but only to have similar treatment to that from his mother but now from his hero.
His overworked imagination, stimulated by his experiences in chilhood further developed by his dependence on opium contributed to this rather sad life. Fortunately he did eventually have a happy marriage but spent his final years in an Edinburgh hostel for the destitute.
Much, much more was told to us by Susan, so much fascinating information that the only way to fully appreciate her hardwork, research, enthusiasm for the subject was to have been there. Perhaps in the future Susan will be willing to give a repeat performance - It is recommended to all.

Historic Ambleside June 2004 meeting: The 'On-Location' meeting in June was attended by 17 rather damp members who nevertheless very much enjoyed the Historic Ambleside tour under the very able direction of Pat, Dorothy and Sybil.
We learned about the importance of the Mills and the Braithwaite family and discussed the possible sites of the Irish-Norse homesteads at How Head. The tour finished at St. Martins College where the enormous contributions to local history of Charlotte Mason and Harriet Martineau were explained in detail.

Historic Ambleside May 2004 meeting: The 'On-Location' May meeting was enjoyed by some 22 members who looked at the history of the Galava Roman Fort, Ambleside Church and buildings in the nearby streets.

Offcomers To The Lakes April 2004 Meeting: Sir John Richardson.
Member Don Elliott gave an excellent illustrated talk on the explorations of Sir John Richardson to Northern Canada, an unknown part of the world in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was deputy leader to the expeditions led by Sir John Franklin and managed to survive in spite of virtual starvation. He was also an important naval doctor and spent much of his life in Portsmouth but after his third marriage came to retire to Grasmere, the home of his wife and her family. He was to be buried in Grasmere church yard and has a plaque to his memory in the church.

Local History Group Meeting - February 2004.
This was the first meeting developing this years theme of 'Off-Comers to the South Lakes Area'.

The first of the two 'Offcomers' introduced to the Group was Henry Schneider, resident owner of Belsfield, the prominent hotel in Bowness. It was bought for £12000 with 8 acres and from here he would travel daily in his own boat (where he would breakfast) and then by train to his Iron and Steel foundry in Barrow. Due to his hard work and prominent position in the town he eventually became Mayor of Barrow and continued to extend his works and buildings in the area. He had hospitals, houses and schools built for his employees, carrying on the tradition of other well-known 19^th Century philanthropists.

Quite different was the second 'Offcomer' - Kurt Schwitters, the German artist, who was rejected by many but found a home in Ambleside after being interned in England during the early part of WW2 and after a stay in London, came with his companion 'Wantee' to the town. Here he further developed his 'Merz' ideas, creating a wall in a barn in the Langdale valley which was removed to Newcastle Art Gallery where it could be better preserved.
He also painted portraits of locals and made many friends, one of whom we shall hear next month on the Oral History talk on this same 'Offcomers' theme.

So, another successful afternoon with a full house and stimulating talks by both our member speakers. Thanks go to them both for all the hard work and research undertaken to make this so interesting. Two further meetings are programmed on 'Offcomers' for April and September.

The Armitt Museum
Another full-house at January 2004's meeting when Michelle Kelly, Curator of the Armitt Museum, gave a talk about her work.
She concentrated particularly on how new material is acquired, the work involved in accepting it, cataloguing and putting it into the archives with all the cross referencing. She also told of how exhibitions were chosen, usually three per year, planned and mounted in the very limited space available. The whole operation requires careful co-ordination as only 2-3 days are allowed between the closing of one exhibition and the opening of the next.
Mention too was made of funding, always a problem and particularly conscious of at present with the difficulties at both Keswick and Kendal. There are also exciting plans for the future with possibilities for expansion if funding and permission can be obtained.
If you do have an interest in local history you would find our local museum very interesting as it has a wealth of archives with staff and the many volunteers very friendly and helpful. Please encourage friends, and visitors to pay a visit. Michelle will be only too pleased to welcome you.

Windermere Ferry

There was a full house for our November 2003 meeting where the speaker, Dick White gave us a comprehensive talk on the history of the Ferry. The talk was well illustrated with a wide variety of slides, many of which can be found in his book.

34 members attended the October 2003 talk given by John Keen on Josefina de Vasconcellas.
John opened our eyes to the tremendous talent of this local but internationally recognised sculptress and introduced us to her works and her life, much of which was spent in the Langdale Valley.

At Brantwood
The September 2003 Local History Group meeting was at Brantwood, Coniston, home of John Ruskin. This was the final meeting in this year's theme: the study of the Arts & Craft Movement in the 19^th and 20^th Centuries.

19 people came on this visit; some chose to see a video before exploring the house while a few went on a guided tour of the gardens which reflected many of the beliefs held by those in the Arts & Craft Movement. Much of the information reinforced the knowledge gained within our studies. The gardens had received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and used the £50,000 in an interesting and imaginative way. Plans are now underway to develop the moorland area.
In the house we were able to see where Ruskin had worked, slept and entertained his visitors and also the plans for painting the exterior more as it was in his time and to blend in with the environment.
Finally we enjoyed tea and cakes in the restaurant!

In the Past
On a blazing hot day in July 2003, Caldbeck Local History Group were given a comprehensive tour of Ambleside. Thanks to all who participated in this informative tour.
A donation was received from Caldbeck thanking us for the tour.

Return to Home Page: