Warkworth History Society 4th March 2024
Woodhorn is well known for its mining museum. It is also the home of Northumberland South Archives. On Monday 4th March archivist Sarah Littlefear introduced us to some of the work carried out there.
The collection contains a history of Northumberland’s people, places and events, in the form of books, photographs, documents, film and newspapers.
It often arrives a dirty and jumbled mess, which the archivists sort out and assess, before it is numbered, recorded and catalogued. Needless to say this takes a certain kind of dedication and enthusiasm which our speaker clearly demonstrated. The items are then packed away, using acid free materials to prevent further deterioration, and stored in strong rooms. An online catalogue is accessible to the public, containing such things as legal documents, laws passed, wills, coroners records as well as the usual births marriages and deaths. School records are also available, including admissions, photographs, staff lists, and honours boards.
The oldest document held at Woodhorn is a Papal Bull from the 10th century, issued by Pope Adrian IV, head of the Catholic Church from 1154 – 1159. One of the strangest is a lock of hair belonging to Martha Edington, the mistress of Charles Maximillian St Paul (1785 – 1864).
Personal effect are also held in the archive, including photograph albums, diaries and artefacts such as old keys, medals and pin badges. Work continues with contemporary collections which will prove of interest to future generations. A request went out recently after storm Arwen for photographs and videos showing damage wreaked by the storm.
Sarah concluded her talk with some items of specific interest to Warkworth. There was an architects plan of the vicarage, a photograph of the cricket team from 1909, an advertisement for the services of Mary Pringle, midwife, from 1825, also one for Warkworth races to be held on Warkworth Moor for a purse of 50 guineas, and a tea ticket for the Coronation celebrations of King George VI in 1937.
One of the most famous local ‘celebrities’ in the archive is Connie Leathert whose flying skills culminated in her achieving the rank of Air Transport Auxilliary Flight Captain, delivering heavy bombers and fighters during the Second World War.
Chairman Richard Booth thanked Sarah on our behalf for a truly fascinating glimpse into the dedicated work that goes into maintaining the Northumberland Archive.