Chipping Local History Society

Press Reports 2010

Chipping Local History Society.                   January 2010

 

At the January meeting Barbara Demaine and Irena Preston, members of the Society, gave a most interesting powerpoint presentation based on the illustrated ‘Chipping Walk’ colour leaflet, which was produced by the Society.

They discussed all the significant buildings in turn, highlighting their historical and architectural interest. Local agriculture and commerce over the centuries were discussed as was the cloth merchant and local benefactor John Brabin, with his shop in the centre of the village, who founded a school and charity by his will of 1683.

 

The next meeting of the Society is on Tuesday 16 February in St. Mary’s Community Hall at 7.45pm when  Tony Goodbody will be speaking on ‘Clitheroe Postcards and their Publishers’; new members and visitors will be most welcome.

For further information contact 01772 864289 of visit the Society web site www.chippinghistory.org.uk

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Submitted by: John Pearson – johnpearson30@hotmail.co.uk

01772 864289.

 

Chipping Local History Society                February 2010

 

Clitheroe Postcards and their Publishers was the topic chosen by Alan Goodbody for the February meeting. His interesting Power Point presentation featured a wide range of postcards from his extensive  collection of mainly bygone Clitheroe. He described the development of postcards from around 1840, when the message was written on the same side as the photograph, as at that time it was illegal to write on the address side. Locally produced cards were of particular interest as they often highlighted local events, such as sporting and social events, disasters and local life in general, whereas the national publishers tended to concentrate on churches, castles and renowned beauty spots.

 

The next meeting of the Society is on Tuesday 16th March in St. Mary’s Community Hall at 7.45pm when Stephen Halliwell will be speaking on ‘My work as a Local History Detective’; new members and visitors will be most welcome.

 

On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th April, the Society, supported by the Brabin’s Trust, are holding an exhibition on ‘The Life and Times of John Brabin: 17th Century Merchant and Benefactor’, Chipping’s most famous resident. Of particular interest will be the historic ‘coin’ recently returned to Chipping after 340 years – this trade token will be on display in the village for the first time.

The exhibition is being held in the Community Hall between noon and 5pm each day with admission £1 (children free). For further information contact 01772 864289, or visit the web site: www.chippinghistory.org.uk

 

 

 

Chipping Local History Society                       March 2010

During Easter weekend, Chipping Local History Society, supported by the Brabins Trust, are holding an exhibition of ‘The Life and Times of John Brabin: 17th Century Merchant and Benefactor’, Chipping’s most famous resident.

 

John Brabin established his business in the village in 1668 when he set up a shop to trade cloth and a dye-house. He died in 1683 and through his will, set up a trust to support education and help the poor of Chipping, Thornley and Bowland with Leagram.

Brabin’s Trust is still flourishing today and owns Brabin’s Shop in Talbot Street, the Almshouses on Windy Street and other property around the village.

The shop is thought to be the oldest continually trading shop in the country and, despite losing its status as a full time Post Office in July 2008, is still a centre for the community as an out reach Post Office and newsagent.

 

With the support of the Lancashire Record Office, the Society’s displays at the Exhibition will feature information on John Brabin and his family, including family trees, his book list, wills etc., and also information about his trade as a Draper and Cloth Merchant.

 

Of particular interest recently has been the return of an historic ‘coin’ to Chipping after 340 years – the trade token bearing the inscription ‘John Brabin of Chipping in Lancashire 1668 His Halfpenny’, was secured ‘for the village’ at a London auction, by a consortium that included the Local History Society. This token is believed to be unique and the date on the token is significant, because this is the date stone above the door at Brabin’s Shop and Gallery. The token will be on display for the first time at Easter in Brabins Shop and Gallery, in a special display case surrounded by graphic panels prepared by Lancashire Museums Service.

 

The exhibition will be held in St. Mary’s Community Hall, Chipping on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th April between 12noon and 5pm, with      admission £1(children free). Further information 01772 864289, or visit the web site: www.chippinghistory.org.uk

 

 

 

Chipping Local History Society                                         April 2010

 

Dr Brenda Fox was the speaker at the final meeting of the Society’s 2009/10 Winter Programme. ‘The A6 Turnpike & Other Roads’ was the chosen topic for her illustrated talk, which commenced with the original route of the familiar A6 from Preston to Lancaster and then moved on to roads in the Clitheroe area. Members were fascinated by her wealth of information on the toll - houses and milestones identified. The toll - houses were designed in such a way that the resident toll collector had good visibility of traffic in all directions, with access direct on to the road. Many remaining toll -houses can be identified by this latter feature.

 

During the summer months, members will be participating in a programme of nine walks and outings.

 

The next informal session of the Society takes place in St. Mary’s Community Hall on Sunday 6 June from 2pm. This is an opportunity for visitors to seek information from Society members about local and family history issues. Society publications will also be available.

For more information on the Society, visit the web site    www.chippinghistory.org.uk    or contact 01772 864289.