HEDON AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Simon Davies of the Sutton and Wawne Museum has made a detailed study of Hull 's air defences in the First and Second World Wars, identifying the locations of the various anti-aircraft gun sites around the city, explaining how evidence was found at the National Archives, and showing where local information and memories are still available.    As well as gun sites, Simon also covers the activities of the barrage balloon units, largely 'manned' by women, as were the radar and direction-finding equipment installed as the war progressed. Simon will show RAF aerial reconnaissance photos, explain the type of guns used, and discuss progress from gun batteries to rocket batteries and the current evidence for these.    A substantial section of his talk, again supported with maps and aerial photos, deals with the once-secret ‘Starfish’ locations along the Humber Bank below Paull, where mock-ups of Hull docks were dredged from the marshes to deceive enemy pilots. These w...

Modern Withernsea was a creation of the railway age. Before the Hull and Holderness line arrived in 1854 the twin settlements of Withernsea and Owthorne comprised just 'a handful of houses with a single shop'.    Under chairman Anthony Bannister, a Hull merchant, the railway company had ambitious plans to develop the town.    A palatial hotel was built beside the station but few other buildings were realised.    Nevertheless Withernsea developed on a more modest scale, becoming a popular resort for the people of Hull until the closing of the railway in 1965.     Godfrey Holmes is an author, speaker and feature writer for the Independent newspaper [ more ... ]. Educated at Withernsea High School, he has returned to live in the town since retirement.   New members always welcome !   More information : hedon.history@gmail.com

Warter Priory Following the AGM, Andrew Hancock and Kevin Hara will share their reminiscences of Warter Priory , near Pocklington.    Warter recently made the headlines with the news that millionaire owner Malcolm Healey is planning to build a new mansion there [ more ], replacing the house [left], latterly owned by the Hull shipping magnate Charles Wilson, Lord Nunburnholme, and demolished in 1972.    Andrew grew up on the Warter estate, and he and Kevin look forward to sharing their memories, photographs and memorabilia. New members always welcome !   More information : hedon.history@gmail.com

Winestead Hospital Brandesburton , Winestead and Tilworth Grange Hospitals were home during the twentieth century to hundreds of adults with learning disabilities - some admitted as young children and spending their lives in these long-stay institutions.    Without urgent action the experiences of this now-aging population will soon be lost, and in 2015/16 Dr Helen Atherton (University of Leeds) and her colleagues undertook the Heritage Lottery-funded Brandesburton Hospital Oral History Project , interviewing residents, staff, family members and local people; collecting photographs and personal archives; preserving memories for succeeding generations; and helping those with learning disabilities come to terms with their past.     Plans are now progressing to extend the project to Winestead and Tilworth Grange and Dr Atherton would be delighted to hear from any members and friends with memories or material relating to either hospital.   ...

St Peter's, Anlaby The final evening visit of the summer features two contrasting East Riding churches: 19th-century St Peter's Anlaby , strongly linked to the Wilsons of Tranby Croft, and medieval St Mary's Cottingham , 'Holy Trinity's little sister' (Pevsner).   Meet: St Peter's Church, Wilson Street, Anlaby HU10 7AN .   Time: 6.00 for 6.15pm .   Donation: £5 per church (incl. coffee/tea/biscuits) New members always welcome. E: hedon.history @gmail.com

The historic Wolds village of Goodmanham - close to Market Weighton - welcomes Hedon & District Local History Society members and friends on Tuesday 10 July , with guided tours of All Saints church and nearby Hall Garth .   Meet : All Saints, Main Street, Goodmanham, York YO43 3JA, 6.15 for 6.30pm .   Refreshments served. £5 per person collected on the night.   New members always welcome !   E: hedon.history @gmail.com

A guided tour of Everingham Hall and the adjoining Chapel of the Virgin and St Everilda opens this summer's programme of evening visits.    Grade 1 listed, the handsome Georgian house (1757-64) was built to designs by John Carr for William Haggerston Constable, and restored (1962-3) by Francis Johnson.    Next door is the monumental Italianate Roman Catholic chapel (1836-9), whose plain exterior hides a spectacular gilded and painted stucco interior, with statues of Carrara marble.   A buffet supper follows the tour.     Parking is available in the grounds. Everingham lies just off the A1079. Follow signs into the village to reach the parish church of St Everilda. Take the next turning on the left for Everingham Hall and Chapel. New members always welcome ! E: hedon.history @gmail.com

The Blitz in May 1941 robbed Hull city centre of one of its major social and cultural attractions - Powolny's Restaurant in King Edward Street, popularly known as Polly's. Reaching its zenith between the wars, Polly's became a byword for style and excellence, under its Greek proprietor, Petro Louis Dermond. Renowned for its luxuriously glamorous settings and cuisine masterminded by continental chefs, it was simply 'THE place to be'. The colourful story of Polly's and its personalities is chronicled in this presentation by Petro's grandson, Robin, who rekindles the sense of joy and affectionate awe it inspired. Artist, writer, poet and lecturer, Robin grew up in Hull - a city for which he has much affection. His father Maurice was a playwright, broadcaster and businessman, his paternal grandfather Robert, an artist, writer, historian and Art Master at Bridlington School. A double CD of the full story of Powolny's will be availa...

From July 1937 to October 1964 a fleet of electrically powered trolleybuses formed the backbone of Hull's public transport system, providing passengers with speedy, quiet and pollution-free rides throughout the urban area. Services were frequent, operating every two minutes on Hessle Road at the afternoon peak, every five or six minutes on Chanterlands Avenue. Daily bus journeys to and from school fostered Malcolm Wells' lifelong interest in Kingston-upon-Hull City Transport (KHCT). He worked for a time in the Works Section, aiding his researches into all aspects of KHCT's operations, while his extensive photographic archive features not only the vehicles but also many bygone glimpses of Hull streets.   New members always welcome !   Join at any meeting - £15 a year. NEW VENUE : Council Chamber, Hedon Town Hall , 36 St Augustine's Gate, Hedon HU12 8EX, 7.30pm . Access : the Council Chamber is situated on the first floor of Hedon Town Hal...