Closed for five years and looking forlorn, this fine Georgian house is now poised ready to start a new chapter in 2025.  Phase one in the Spring is focussing on the stable block and cottage to create a tearoom and a display about Hopper Cycles.  Attention then turns in the summer to exhibition spaces in the House and a shop. Architect Stephen Dixon outlines the process of renovating this historic building, and the conflict between heritage, budget and future uses.…

Martin will describe how he found the memoirs of William Smith Hesleden in a university library in America and what they tell us about life in Barton at the end of the eighteenth century.  He will describe William’s education and apprenticeship, his friendship with Sir John Nelthorpe, his work amongst the poor, and his love of drawing, local history and architecture which has left us a wonderful legacy of published and unpublished work. £4 for non-members

During the Great Famine of the 1840s in Ireland, Vere Foster assisted the poor, helping with the re-settlement of thousands of emigrants to North America escaping starvation and disease.  For those unable to emigrate he set his sights on improving their life chances by lifting educational standards in Irish schools.  Jean Cannon revisits this momentous period in Irish history and Ian Wolseley explains how a seemingly innocuous bundle of family letters revealed a family link to this great man. £4…

Following the success of the inaugural Rex Russell Memorial Lecture in 2024 the Civic Society and Wilderspin & National School Museum are once again joining forces to present an extended session focussing on themes dear to Rex delivered in the manner of his popular Saturday Schools .   Keynote speakers:   Keith Miller, a former adult education colleague of Rex, will speak about Rex’s work researching the Charities, Friendly Societies and labouring movements of the 1800s - early examples of…

This curious folk custom in Europe and North America throughout the nineteenth century involved crowds making as much noise as possible by beating on pots and pans or anything that came to hand, creating what was known as rough music.  This is another chance to hear Andrew Walker explain how these events enabled communities to regulate themselves and impart their own “rough justice”. £4 for non-members

Dr. Alex Ombler (Curator, Goole Museum) explores the natural, industrial and social history of Hessle Cliff from pre-history to the present day.  A little-known place on the north bank of the Humber Estuary, the cliff forms the southern-most tip of the chalk Wolds of Yorkshire.  While the cliff has been of immense interest to geologists, it was also a place of industry.  Quarrying and lime burning took place from at least the medieval period and during the 17th century, it…