September 2013 The eagerly
awaited visit of local MP Jake
Berry was thwarted at the last
minute due to the
recalling of Parliament for the
debate on Syria.However , the Society were
delighted that ex Mayor of Rossendale ,
Philip Dunne , accompanied by Councillor
Darryl Smith were still able to attend for a tour
of the Museum , Library and , in particular ,
their new Resource Centre at which Mr
Dunne officially launched the recently
installed Internet and WiFi facility. Much
use is already being made of this service ,
in particular with respect to research into
family history and genealogy , available to
'NAT' members and the general public.
In support of the Bacup
Townscape Heritage Initiative
the Nat was asked to help
kick off what will be known
as Owd Bacup week 16th -
24th February 2013. As a result that Nat will
be open on Saturday 16th February from
10am till 1pm. Why not pop in and join us for
a cuppa, and check out our brand new
research and resource area. Take a look at
our photograph collection and museum and
see how we could help you in your own
family or local history searches.
Despite the terrible conditons
underfoot the public once
again supported us with thier
company on Saturday 8th Dec
2012 when we held our
Christmas Coffee morning. A
visit by the Mayor and Lady Mayoress was an
added bonus and we were thrilled when the
Mayor showed intrest in becomming a
member. We also took the opportunity to have
a very much needed updated photograph of
the Nat Committee and this can be seen on
our Gallery page. The commitee would like to
say a big thankyou to Andrew Gee for taking
time out of his busy schedule to help us out by
taking the photograph, Andrew is also
responsible for the photographs above.
News & Projects
Refurbishment
On Thursday 15th November 2012 we were delighted to welcome Councillor Jackie Oakes to the Nat where she officially opened the newly refurbished Lecture and Resource Area. The opening was followed by a brief potted history of the Bacup Natural History Society spanning 134 years, followed by light refreshments. The lecture room refurbishments had been funded by an award from the Bacup Neighbourhood Forum.
Work on the refurbishments had begun in June 2012, and one of the first major tasks for
the members was moving the filing cabinets, chairs and cabinets into the middle of the
room. After moving one particular cabinet members were amazed to find a hole in the wall
and a room that no-one had ever seen before or had any knowledge off. The rooms
contents were the base of a old tippler toilet, a belfast sink and stone trough and lintel
along with two grave stones, why the last two items were ever placed in this room is
anyones guess. We do think its safe to say this room was at one time the toilet belonging
to the pub which of course is what the Nat was before it became our home. However
enquries continue :) The work was finnished in September 2012.
Mr Ken Simpson
TThe Committee and
Members of the Nat are very
sad to share the news that
our Museum Curator Mr Ken
Simpson Passed away on
Friday 13th July 2012 aged 86.
Ken was dearly loved by all who knew him old
and young alike, a very much love member of the
Nat and will be very sadly missed. Our deepest
sympathy and condolence go to Craig his son and
daughter-in-law Melanie.
Mr John Bowditch
TThe Committee and
Members of the Nat are
very sad to share the news
of the death of one of our
much loved and valued
members Mr John Bowditch
aged 69, who passed away peacefully after a long
illness on Monday 20th August 2012, in
Sommerset where he was staying with his sons.
John had been a member of the Nat for several
years serving on the Commitee as Membership
Secretary, up to a few months before he became
ill. He spent many long hours producing our Royal
Visit 1913 dvd. Our deepest sympthy and
condolences to Johns family.
Pictured here is what is known
as our Centenary Room. This was once
the open yard of the building, the area was
covered over and made weather proof
some years ago. We feel this area would make a brilliant
Washday scene and Victorian shop area
and so our next project for
is to apply for lottery funding in order to do this.
More news as we get it.
October 3rd 2013
Pictured with Callum, our youngest member
is our local MP Jake Berry. We were thrilled to finally
welcome Jake and ex Rossendale Mayor Phillip Dunne
to the nat after the original planned visit in September had to be cancelled at the last minute due to the recalling of Parliament and the debate on Syria. Jake spent the evening chatting to members and looking around the museum, libraryand new resource area taking the opportunity to use our newly installed broadband to tweet his visit and details of the Nats website.
October 5th 2013
Following an invatation from the Friends of Llandudno
Museum, members of the Bacup Natural History Society
travelled to Llandudno
