Newsletter March 2006

The past year has seen a number of important developments within the Society and there are a number of exciting projects in hand for the future:-

1. WINTER MEETINGS

This year, on a trial basis and for the first time in recent years, we held meetings in January and February. Both were held without weather problems and the experiment will continue next year but kept under review.

2. ALSTON TRAIL WALK – MOBILE PHONE DESCRIPTIVE MESSAGE

With the help of a grant from the North Pennines AONB Partnership, we have almost completed this project. Notices have been placed at certain points on the ‘Trail’ inviting the visitor to telephone, using their mobile phone, to obtain a recorded description of the particular feature.

3. MEMBERSHIP OF HISTORICAL SOCIETIES

During the year we joined both the Cumbria Federation of Local History Societies and the British Association for Local History and are, of course, long standing members of the Association of Northumberland Local History Societies. These connections provide useful information and assistance, plus an extensive list of speakers which we can call upon as required.

4. PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE

In the current litigious society in which we now live, the Committee felt it advisable to protect the Society, officers and members by effecting suitable cover. This is the main reason that we joined the British Association of Local History Societies as cover is included as part of their membership package.

5. CONSTITUTION

The Society did not appear to have an adequate Constitution. There may have been one some years ago but a copy cannot be found. The reasons prompting the committee to produce a new document include:-

• Production of a package of documents, including a Constitution, is required to support applications for financial grants. Organisations responsible for giving grants have a duty to ensure that recipients are properly structured and managed.
• The wording of the Constitution had been based upon a model used by the Charities Committee. We are not a registered charity but may want to consider this option at some time in the future.
• We are being encouraged by all the Group Local History Societies of which we are members to place the running of our Society on a businesslike basis.

6. ALSTON FOUNDRY

Two years ago we held an evening of reminiscences on the Foundry, with particular reference to the contribution made during WWll. This proved to be very popular and in view of the interest we are investigating the possibility of producing a book to record this amazing story for posterity. Work has already started and applications for grants are being made. An appeal for material, information and artefacts will be made to the public at large very soon.

7. WHITLEY CASTLE

Alastair Robertson will be talking about this local Roman site at the AGM. We have received a suggestion that the time may be right for us to co-operate in organising an archaeological ‘dig’ at the site. Whilst the main site is protected there are adjacent areas that are promising and access could be gained under certain circumstances. The proposal is at a very early stage and will be considered by the Committee.

8. WEBSITE

With a lot of valuable technical assistance from Johan Rossouw we are currently redesigning out website. A number of additional features have already been included and more are to follow see ‘www.alstonhistory.org.uk’ .

9. SUMMER EXHIBITION

Last year we agreed to stage an exhibition based on the history of Alston Moor at Penrith Museum. It now seems likely that this project will not take place. We are, therefore, seeking to stage an exhibition on our own account. The intention is to exhibit in Alston and we are currently looking for suitable accommodation to be used in the summer months to supplement the existing tourist attractions in the town. We think we may have found a suitable venue and further details will follow. If we are to go ahead we will be looking for volunteers to supervise the site – possibly weekends only.