News for Autumn 2002
Launch of the Nottinghamshire Bibliography
 |
Mr Michael Brook. |
One of the first events held in the newly refurbished Thoroton Room at Bromley House was the launch on 18 September of ‘A Nottinghamshire Bibliography: Publications on Nottinghamshire History before 1998’, compiled by Michael Brook. The book, which has been many years in the making, is the latest volume in the Record Series, and is a joint project between the Thoroton Society and Nottingham Civic Society.
The book was officially launched by Sir Andrew Buchanan, Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, who was paying his first visit to Bromley House. Sir Andrew noted that the volume contained over 8,700 publications arranged by subject or place, and with indexes of authors, places and subjects.
 |
Sir Andrew Buchanan. |
Guests were welcomed by Neville Hoskins, President of the Thoroton Society, and in a brief speech the Chairman of the Council, Professor John Beckett, thanked Michael Brook for his dedicated work, Barbara Andrews for preparing the text, Paul Roper on behalf of Technical Print Services for producing the volume, and Julia Wilson of Bromley House for hosting the event.
After an excellent buffet lunch, Lady Belinda Buchanan planted a tree in the garden of Bromley House as both a celebration of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and to symbolise the long and happy relationship between the Society and the Library. Thoroton Council will be planning future events at Bromley House to make full use of the Thoroton Room.
New BBC2 series needs your help!
A new BBC2 series featuring Britain’s heritage buildings, highlighting the plight of our wonderful but neglected buildings at risk, is in its planning stages. The production team want suggestions of particular buildings from any era – cottages, churches, follies, barns, cinemas, country houses, railway stations, theatres – you name it! Of the featured buildings, one will eventually be restored. Details on Notts. Civic Trust’s website www.civictrust.org.uk - suggestions must be a building, have confirmed public ownership, and public support for restoration.
The team wants to hear also about demolitions of, or changes
of use to, buildings considered controversial which have left a hole
in the heritage of the area. Please make suggestions as soon as possible
to ensure your favourite urgent cases make it onto the list: tel. 0208
222 4863 or e-mail information to charlotte.fitzpatrick@endemoluk.com;
or tel. 0208 222 4184, e-mail susanne.curran@endemoluk.com.
Ken Brand
Opening of the Thoroton Room, Bromley House Library
The opening of the Thoroton Room took place on 24 July, when the restored room in all its splendour was officially opened by Library President, Fay Weldon. Neville Hoskins explained the longstanding relationship between the Society and the Library, whose Committee voted to subscribe to the Thoroton Society two weeks before the inaugural meeting in 1897! The Society’s own library was housed in this room and Council met in it from 1924-81.
After the formalities, in an event marking the 250th anniversary of the building, the play ‘An Architect Returns’, especially written for the occasion by Michael Eaton, was performed by actor Patrick Wildgust. He played the part of Sir Robert Taylor, reputed architect of Bromley House, who was paying a return visit to Nottingham after 250 years. ‘Sir Robert’ concluded by leading a tour around part of the library.
To round off the occasion Fay Weldon made a lighthearted speech, before
cutting a cake depicting the 18th century front of the library.
Neville Hoskins/Julia Wilson
Bridge Street Methodist Church, Mansfield
Michael Jackson, the author of A Shining Light, A History of Bridge
Street Methodist Church, Mansfield, is no stranger to Thoroton Society
members having led a number of excursions in North Nottinghamshire over
the years. His carefully researched and very readable book examining
the contribution that the church has made to the spiritual and social
life of Mansfield continues the style that has made him popular
as an excursion leader. Price £3.50 available from Trevor Johnson,
29 Baums Lane, Mansfield, Notts. NG18 2RA.
Keith Goodman