After Nick Duggan’s talk on his own cutlery collection two days earlier, the ‘made in Sheffield’ theme continued when 22 Stumperlowe Probus Club members gathered as arranged at the iconic Bessemer Converter outside Kelham Island Museum ready to start our guided tour of the Hawley Tool Collection. As Nick, the curator, pointed out, the Hawley … Read more
Most of our members had read Catherine Bailey’s fascinating book Black Diamonds, the Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty, which maps the history of coal mining in South Yorkshire and the downfall of the Fitzwilliam family. So it was with great anticipation that we gathered at Wentworth Woodhouse – formerly Britain’s largest private residence, … Read more
Several members of Stumperlowe Probus Club have more than a passing interest in wine, including at least two who are shareholders in a commercial-size French vineyard, but they learnt much about the trials and tribulations of smaller scale production on a Peak District hillside 950 feet above sea level. A party of 26 club members … Read more
A small but select group of Stumperlowe Probus Club members enjoyed an inspirational and at times emotional visit to the former RAF Elvington air base near York which now houses the Yorkshire Air Museum or, to give it its full name, the Allied Air Forces Memorial and Yorkshire Air Museum, on Wednesday, September 13. Our select … Read more
A very enjoyable and educational visit to the Assay Office was undertaken by members and guests. The history of the Assay Office was given by Emma Parageen, resident Librarian and Curator, covering the period from instigation of Assay offices back in 1300 to the present day. Truly they must have been the first consumer rights … Read more
A good number of members followed up a talk we had received on the Manor Lodge with a visit on a glorious day. The guided tour by David Templeman and his colleagues brought the history of the site to life. A most enjoyable buffet lunch followed at the Rhubarb Shed café and then some members … Read more