Friday 28 March 2014

Samuel Oldknow at Manchester Histories Festival

It's good news that the Revealing Oldknow's Legacy project will be present at the  Manchester Histories Festival tomorrow, Saturday 29th March 2014. A successful application was made before christmas to have a stand at the Festival Celebration Day to promote the project.

There will be lots going on at the festival including tours of the newly refurbished Central Library.
Samuel himself (aka Bob Humphrey -Talyor) will be there in all his finery. You will find the  Oldknow's Legacy stand in the Great Hall at the Town Hall in the far right hander corner.

Also present will be Fiona Turpin, newly appointed Project Officer for the project. Fiona worked as a volunteer for Canal & River Trust in putting the Heritage Lottery Fund bid together. With her experience and knowledge, together with her commitment to the project, it is good news that she as been appointed to the post.


It will be an exciting day with lots to see and do, not least discovering Marple's own history.

You can find out more about the festival here


Thursday 27 March 2014

AGM and Speaker Meeting 2014

The society's 52nd AGM took place on Tuesday 25th March in Marple Library.

Chairman Gillian Postill took the opportunity to discuss the importance of effective communication with members and the threat posed by the the traffic scheme associated with the planning consent for the new foodstore on Chadwick Street car park.

She pointed out that the traffic scheme had not been consulted on and need not be consulted on if the council goes ahead with the foodstore in its present form.  She confirmed that the civic society supports a new foodstore as a means of regenerating Marple centre but with a condition that the council re-thinks the public realm and traffic management proposals and commissions a public realm fesibility study to look at options, and involves the community in a meaningful consultation. If "localism" means anything it means giving the people of Marple a say in how their town is developed.

The society has obtained a budget quote from a leading consultancy for an initial feasibility study to examine existing traffic data and provide schemes showing how Marple centre could look.  The cost £5000.  This is a very small sum compared to the total spend on the existing scheme, much of which may well be unnecessary.

During questions Cllr. Ingham (Marple South) made clear that she supported the society's call for an independent study into the public realm and traffic management issues in Marple centre.

Finally, Gillian drew attention to the painting of Mellor Mill donated to the society by Barbara Sexton whose late husband, Basil, was a founder member of the society.  She thanked Barbara for the generous donation. She also thanked life member Steve Abbott for his research into the history of the painting and our president Angus Yeaman for looking after the painting for the society until we can find a suitable location to put it on public display.

Read Gillian's address in full here.
See trustees report for a summary of the society's work during 2013 here

Treasurer Gordon Johnson presented the accounts which had been independently examined.  He paid tribute to Mike Kinder our honourary examiner for many years and confirmed that he had agreed to continue for the coming year.  Gordon reported that we had a surplus for the year of £190.47 and the balance of the society's funds is £2404.46 which is sufficient to fund the society's activities throughout 2014.

The society's accounts for 2013 can be viewed here

Complete minutes of the AGM can be viewed here

The election of officers, committee members and advisors was followed by a talk by Freddie Gick, chairman of trustees of Civic Voice.

Freddie spoke about the role of Civic Voice in representing local societies at national level through ministerial contact and through the "All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies"
Civic Voice has approaching 300 affiliated societies with approximately 75000 members giving it significant influence when speaking to legislators.

Photos by Arthur Procter more here

Sunday 23 March 2014

Notice of AGM and Speaker Meeting 2014


AGM and Speaker Meeting
Tuesday 25th March at 3.00pm - 5.00pm 
           in Marple Library

We hope you will join us for the society's AGM and speaker meeting this coming Tuesday in Marple Library.

Members wishing to stand for committee or nominate another member can obtain forms by contacting: Gillian Postill - tel: 0161 427 1379 or email: mail@marplecivicsociety.org.uk

Freddie Gick
Chairman of Trustees
Civic Voice
The Business meeting starts at 3.00pm and light refreshments will be served. We will then welcome our speaker Freddie Gick, Chairman of Trustees of Civic Voice, the national charity for the Civic Movement in England. Come along to find out more about the national civic movement and let Freddie know what is important to us here in Marple.

We hope to see you on Tuesday - family, friends and neighbours are welcome too.

See details of further speaker meetings for 2014 here




Thursday 13 March 2014

Marple Area Committee Report 12th March 2014

A report on the Marple Area Committee Meeting that took place on the 12th March 2014 can be viewed here

Chadwick Street Foodstore
The Chair made the following announcement:
There will be a progress report on Chadwick Street Foodstore development as part of Chair's announcements at all future Marple Area Committee meetings

A member of the Civic Society attends the monthly Marple Area Committee meetings where issues relating to Marple are discussed and important decisions are made.

There is also an opportunity for the public to ask questions of our elected representatives (councillors) and all questions, issues, discussions and decisions are minuted as part of the democratic process.

For past reports see "Marple Area Committee Reports" under NEWS ITEMS

Dates of future Marple Area Committee meetings:

Wednesday 16th April 2014 
Wednesday 4th June 2014
Wednesday 9th July 2014
Wednesday 6th August 2014
Wednesday 24th September 2014
Wednesday 5th November 2014
Wednesday 10th December 2014

Monday 10 March 2014

Revealing Oldknow's Legacy - Archaeological Survey Work and Community Digs Planned

Two community archaeological digs are planned this summer as part of the 'Revealing Oldknow's Legacy' project.

Mellor Archaeological Trust invites volunteers to take part in a community dig at the site of Mellor Mill, Roman Lakes from 1st - 20th June 2014. Contact Bob Humphrey-Taylor:
by email: bob@MATrust.org.uk                                     by telephone: 07710 964 046
see further details here


Scheduled Monument Consent has been obtained from English Heritage and vegetation has been removed from the Lime Kilns in preparation for non-invasive survey work to be undertaken prior to a summer community dig involving school children and adult volunteers.
A topographic survey will take place at the Lime Kilns on Monday 10th March 2014 and a geophysical survey on Wednesday 26th March 2014.

Saturday 1 March 2014

Committee Meeting Minutes 25th February 2014

Committee meeting minutes for the 25th February 2014 can be viewed here