Captured Memories - booklet now available
Habitats and Hillforts are pleased to announce the launch of a local history book ‘Captured Memories’. As part of the Scheme, there was an aspiration to try and capture people’s memories. The objective has been to collect information of activities that have taken place in the immediate vicinity of the hillforts in relatively recent times. The end-result is a book entitled ‘Captured Memories across the Hillforts of Cheshire’ compiled by two volunteers, David Joyce and Barbara Foxwell.
David and Barbara started collating the book in 2009, visiting local groups and societies, talking to local people up and down the ridge and collecting their memories or anecdotal information that has not be captured before. This was a new experience for our trusty volunteers and a lot of hard work has gone into the book which we are of course very proud of.
The six Iron Age hillfort sites along the Sandstone Ridge of Cheshire have acted as a focal point for so many activities for hundreds of years. Their dominant positions have drawn people for generations to work, play or simply sit and stare, but little of this has been recorded. So much of our history is lost. We may know about the big events but it is also our everyday activities that shape our society and these are, all too often, forgotten.
David and Barbara told us that during the compilation of this book, they have been fascinated by the way seemingly ordinary activities in the county have had a profound effect. Take for example the small school at Delamere which became the model for school dinners throughout the country or the farm at Kelsborrow which led the way in the production of clean, uninfected milk free from TB. Although never used in anger, there is a bunker at Helsby which was manned by well-meaning volunteers hoping to protect us from the perceived menace from the cold war. Future visitors may wonder why they can pick up spent mortar shells on a National Trust property on Bickerton Hill but this area was used for military training until 1995. The book shows that our countryside is constantly changing.
Although the Hillforts are important archaeological sites, they are also part of a living landscape. It is essential that present, and future generations, will be able to use and enjoy these prominent positions in many different ways. Nowadays, it is probably unthinkable to hold motorbike hill-climbs on the listed site at Beeston Castle as happened in the 1950s, but we must not inhibit the enjoyment of our natural resources in too many ways.
It is human nature to try and order and understand our
environment and it is the knowledge of small events that can add
colour and interest to a country walk. We hope that this
publication will stimulate others to increase this pool of
knowledge about our County. Many people think they have little to
offer – one lady said to us “I’m not a true Helsby resident as I’ve
only lived here 70 years!” Her memories, like yours, are part of
the historical patchwork which define the past and perhaps point
the way for future decisions.
Many individuals, national organisations, local history societies,
local publications and press cuttings have contributed to the book
and we are very grateful for all the assistance we have been
given.
The book is available for free by contacting the Habitats and Hillforts Scheme on habitatsandhillforts@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
The ISBN number of the book is 978-1-905702-74-9 and contains about 120 pages.
©Cheshire West and Chester 2011.
No part of the book can be reproduced without permission.