The Bainbridges – from Department Store to Eshott Hall

November Meeting Report On Monday 4th November Eleanor George treated us to a very thorough and detailed account of the Bainbridges ‘from Department Store to Eshott Hall’.Many of those present remembered well Bainbridge’s department store in Newcastle before it became part of the John Lewis group. Its founder was Emerson Muschamp Bainbridge, born 1817 into…

Historic Pubs of Alnwick

Alnwick as a historic market town has more than its fair share of old and interesting pubs.Local historian Tom Allen has taken the time to research and record many of the histories of Alnwick’s present and lost pubs in his booklet ‘Alnwick, Pubs, Lanes & Alleyways’. Copies of this booklet may be obtained from the…

Abbotsford House

Warkworth History Society members recently visited Abbotsford House in the Scottish Borders: the former home of Sir Walter Scott, historical novelist and poet.The house itself was developed by Scott from a farm into a Baronial mansion in the Gothic revival style between 1817- 1825. Later it had an additional wing added to the building by…

Warkworth History Society Meeting 5th February 2024

For the February meeting Chairman Richard Booth welcomed local author Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Platten to speak about the history of the Shell County Guides.The Shell name originates from the late 19th century when Marcus Samuel decided to name the shipping company after the seashells he brought back with him from the Far East. By…

Warkworth History Society 8th January, 2024

Happy Days Digging up Northumberland, local archaeologist Barry MeadeOur first meeting of the year took place on Monday 8th January, when local archaeologist Barry Meade delivered a talk entitled ‘Happy Days Digging up Northumberland’. Barry achieved local celebrity in 2019 when he was named ‘Community Archaeologist of the Year’ for his leadership in the restoration…

Warkworth History Society December 4th 2023

‘Geordie Newcastle: How we used to live’ Neil Storey. Social historian Neil Storey gave a fascinating presentation, based on his book, which he has produced along with Fiona Kay. It is a collection of digitally enhanced photographs which give some very clear and evocative depictions of the people and places of Newcastle from the late…

Warkworth History Society 2nd October 2023

‘Ethiopian Odyssey: A Photographic Journey Through the Historic Sites of Northern Ethiopia’ by Richard Booth Due to a last minute cancellation by our advertised speaker, Max Adams, Richard generously stepped in with this photographic presentation of a visit to Ethiopia made in 2019.He started with a picture showing the fossilised remains of the earliest known…