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Tue 13 Sep 2016
Boyd Harris: A Review of researches and activities over the past
12 months |
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When the formal business of the Annual
General Meeting had been completed, Boyd Harris delivered his
annual presentation touching on his various researches and
activities over the past 12 months. As always it started with a
summary of “hits” on the Society’s website, and was illustrated
with excellent photographs, usually taken by Boyd himself, but
sometimes drawn from other historical sources. |
Alston Hall no longer available
for
educational courses. |
Mon 28 Sep 2015 the
Super/Blood/Harvest Moon. A rare event. |
The last fly-past of Avro Vulcan XH558
bomber over Hoghton Tower on Sat 19th Sep 2015 |
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From the former category, this writer’s favourite was of the
Super/Harvest/Blood Moon, but closely followed by the last
flying Avro Vulcan passing over Hoghton Tower (History from two
very different eras!).
Anyone who has seen Boyd’s
presentations over the years will recognise continuing story
threads. These include the Clayton Reservoir/Memorial, cycling
(The excellent 2nd Chorley Grand Prix); Withnell Fold (Millenium
Green opening, and James Miller VC); Chorley Hygienic Laundry
(New home for Bowen Pies with a display of historic photographs
of the laundry). |
Monday 18th Apr 2016 was the 80th
anniversary of the triangulation pillar |
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It looks as if this list is to be joined by Robert Parke’s
former home at Withnell Hall and Lock Farm on Town Lane,
Whittle-le-Woods, which is undergoing “renovation”.
Boyd’s
presentations often highlight to the audience the risks/dangers
facing our communities and community heritage. This year he
marked the change of use of Alston Hall, the Christmas Floods
around the remains of Kem Mill, the vulnerability of a listed
folly at Brindle Lodge, the threat to Lancashire’s Museums
(highlighting Helmshore) and the passing of post offices. |
Bowen Pies on the site of
the old
Hygienic Laundry |
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An important feature of Boyd’s presentations is always
celebrating success and progress. This year he covered the
Euxton War Memorial and display board, the forthcoming
recognition of the Clayton Reservoir Memorial by Chorley Civic
Society, the 80th anniversary of trig points, the national
Community Archives conference, and the current exhibition of
photographs taken by Captain William Geoffrey Chambers at South
Ribble Museum. |
Closure of the Whittle-le-Woods Post
Office |
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Threatened closure of Helmshore Museum |
Helmshore Museum interior |
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A final, but common theme to Boyd’s
presentations is that of travel. This year he took us to Bhutan,
Scotland (Killiecrankie, Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie, Loch Ewe,
Mull, Jedburgh, Prestonpans, Leith/Royal Yacht Britannia),
Ireland (Henry Ford, the anniversary of the Easter Rising 1916,
Roger Casement, The Irish Famine, Tom Crean and the Tralee and
Dingle Railway), and Sweden (largest iron ore mine, the Sami
people and Borg Mesch a Swedish photographer).
The word
eclectic must have been invented just to describe Boyd’s
presentations! As always this year’s was stimulating and enjoyed
by all.
John Harrison |
South Ribble Museum and exhibition of
photographs by Capt. William Geoffrey Chambers (1897 - 1918) |
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