Reconstructing the 19th Century Norwich Castle Prison

Following my talk at the club today about the history and development of Norwich Castle as a prison, here is the video from which I took those screenshots of the nineteenth century gaol:

Prison reconstruction

Generous Gestures!

This is no small thing! Yes, it may be a physically small jar of chill jam, but, for me, its significance is much bigger than its dimensions. 

Today, Norwich Community History Club member, Maggie, brought in jars of homemade jam that she was offering for sale to raise funds for the club. Just think: our Maggie had the thoughfulness and feeling for her club to make the time to make the jam to make the money. For me, generous gestures like this are the reason that, three years on from our foundation, we are still going and growing. 

I've been racking my brain trying to come up with a jam-related joke or pun, but I just can't think of one. Therefore, all I can think to say is, 'Thanks Maggie!'

Colin

Norfolk Record Office - Latest

Please click on the following image in order to enlarge it...

Free Course - World War One: A History in 100 Stories

2015 is the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign, in which both Anzac forces and the Norfolk Regiment fought. To mark this, Monash University in Australia is running a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) entitled World War 1: A History in 100 Stories, which will examine the effects of the war on people in a variety of situations. The MOOC is free of charge and open to everybody, wherever they may be; it runs for 5 weeks and is supported by a company owned by the Open University. It starts on 12^th October and you can sign up now at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/ww1-stories . 

The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library at The Forum will be supporting local students who’ve signed up to the MOOC, with a friendly and informal study support session between 5.30 and 7pm on Tuesdays 20^th & 27^thOctober and 3^rd, 17^th & 24^th November. At these study sessions people working on the MOOC can come along and chat with others taking the course and also use library resources to research further into the topics covered. A librarian will be on hand to help with this research and there will also be tea, coffee and Anzac biscuits available to sustain students. The sessions will take place in the 2^nd Air Division Memorial Library and people studying other World War One MOOCs are also welcome. 

For more details or to let us know you are coming please contact Clare Agate (Community Librarian) on 01603 774781or email clare.agate@norfolk.gov.uk.

Members' Films

Norwich Community History Club members (pictured above) were pleased to be interviewed on Radio Norfolk. We had the opportunity to discuss the films we have made about the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell that are now hosted on the Norfolk on Film website. To view these, please click on the following link:

Museum of Norwich

* Our thanks go out to the BBC Voices team for enabling us to make the films. 

Wartime Memories

Club member, Roy, talking about his childhood growing up during World War Two in Costessey, Norfolk. Fascinating to hear first-hand testimony. 

Margery Kempe: Housewife, Mustic, Pilgrim, Author - Superstar?

History Club member, Dr Carole Hill, is speaking today about the fascinating religious mystic, Margery Kempe. 

Tom Williamson - Ancient Woodlands

This Tuesday we welcome back Professor Tom Williamson from the UEA, who will be talking to members about Ancient Woodlands. I love listening to Tom! His mind always seems to be fizzing with ideas and connections and he's a great communicator. Looking forward to this one! 

~ Colin, NCHC Chair ~

A Few of Mike's Favourite Things

Today we were treated to a visual feast as History Club member,

Mike Hudson, took us on a virtual perambulation through some of his favourite historical sites in Norfolk. Not only did we learn loads, it was also good for our wellbeing to be reminded of so many blue summer skies at this time of the year!

Recafe: Fundraising Cafe Event

The Recafe folk have very kindly agreed to run a fundraising cafe event, the profits from which will be donated to the Norwich Community History Club. This will take place on Monday 30th March, 10am-2pm, and profits will be donated to the History Club. These funds will support us in our work as we bring people together from a wide variety of backgrounds in order to improve and/or maintain our wellbeing through a shared interest in history, heritage and archaeology. Details below...

Following the recent talk and performance to club members about Walter Pardon by Brian Gaudet and his friends, here is the short film about Walter that Brian mentioned to us: