News/Reviews

There was a re-visiting of the glass slides, now given to us by Selby Camera Club (thanks), and a comparison with new information stored with the original slides. Another interesting meeting and a few new pieces of information were shared. Now to put all the pieces together! Mark is going to send me more info on one of the slides from someone who is actually in one of them.  

Having another  unexpected member-led meeting, Sheila showed us a video about using the British Newspaper Archive, linked to Find my Past, and it produced several questions. Some other members shared discoveries they had made by using the newspaper archives. An interesting morning.

This morning we discussed the talk by Carolyn Huston last week and added our own thoughts about the value of testing and which company should be used. One or two had made discoveries from the results but others preferred the traditional approach of newspaper archives, etc.

We also looked at some images provided by Selby Camera Club, of events and gatherings in the fifties and sixties. Some were identified, others remain a mystery!

This talk, by Carolyn Huston took some of us back to our Science lessons, visiting the basic genetics behind DNA testing and how it can be useful for family tree enthusiasts. It provoked a lively discussion and we were surprised how many of our group had already been tested.

A good time was had by our fairly small number of members who joined us for a look back at the history of the group. We had a quiz, mainly about 2001, a look at some past photos of the group, discussed who was missing (!) and who was on them most often! Members were asked to join us with fancy dress, hat, drink of choice and cake. Here's  to the next twenty years!! 

11th May - Harold Hoggarth treated us to a walk down memory lane, reminding some of us of items and events which were commonplace not so long ago - rationing, scrubbing the doorstep, Saturday matinee at the pictures, washing in a dolly-tub, etc. A very good presentation.

 Malcolm, one of the co-founders of the site, gave us a whistle-stop tour of the facilities contained in the pages and the amazing amount of information which can be accessed. He was joined by Colin Hinson who spoke about the Yorkshire information.

There were twelve of us and we had an excellent meeting.  Mark had delved into the East Yorks memorial inscriptions and found relatives that he was able to link up with a legacy that he received last week, a good photo presentation and talk. Pauline was excited about Bradford in the past and found lots of social history to occupy her interest, Brian passed comment on observations and everyone chipped in.
John asked about what help was available in the group to verify his results and Muriel responded with helpful suggestions.
It was about 11.15 when we finished. (Report by Sheila - thanks)

Following the talk last week, we shared our own memories of railways , members of our families or pictures of long gone railways in our area. A most enjoyable morning.

Rosemary Cook spoke very knowledgeably about the section of railway passing through Dringhouses in York. The tales involved a solicitor, skater, signalman and a scholar. Some also involved fatal interactions with trains!

This morning's talk from Dr. Jim Ryan was very informative, giving us a plethora or websites to use to begin the process of tracing our Irish roots. He will be sending a list of the links shortly.

This morning's Zoom meeting (12th January)  was well-attended (15) and we shared our memories of shops and businesses in and around Selby which we could recall. As an exercise, I jotted down the names of the shops mentioned and have written them below. Any mistakes in the spelling are mine entirely!

In no particular order,Sugdens grocers on Gowthorpe, formerly McHales?

Meadow dairy, where WH Smith is now

Wetherell's both the department store and the greengrocers in the market place and surrounding villages

Bellerby's on the Crescent, newsagent and printer of the Selby Times

Gotch's electrical shop in Finkle Street/Wide Street, in competition with Curry's, Vallances and the Co=op Electrical shop

Hepworths men's outfitters on Finkle Street

Everatts, furniture shop which later became Gotch's

Burton's Ironmongers on Finkle Street (lovely smell!) and another ironmonger shop nearby?

Selby Mutual Benefit Society -grocers at 56Flaxley Road, now to be a Big and Local hub. Originally run by the Stripe family with numerous other branches nearby.

Woolworths - many memories of working there, wooden floors, pick'n'mix, etc.

Jackson's Supermarket near Woolworths, long narrow shop.

The Granary - on Church Hill/Lane, good for fresh yeast and loose cereals, all kinds of healthy foods

.Stan Jackson nearby (not sure what he sold)

Engelharts on Church Hill

Spinks cycle shop on Church Lane

Evans sewing shop on Brook Street, well-remembered by many, just down from Howcrofts DIY shop, now a Beauty Salon

Rocketts (a clothes shop?) with a special round window possibly on New Street?

Foster menswear on Gowthorpe - always had clothes i didn't really need, but wasn't ready for Greenwood's across the road

!Co-op on Wide Street, now Rooms for All

Corunna Cafe on Ousegate

Spencers electricals New Street- a brilliant shop for all kinds of spares - sadly missed

Garbos - also on 

Heptonstalls grocers on the corner of Wide Street and Millgate - old-style shop with wooden counters and shelving. Apparently was Isaac Lees before that and the shop interior was re-located to York Castle Museum. The site became Sophie's elegant fashion house and is now the Jammie Olive cafe.

The Mascot cafe on Gowthorpe and Ross's cafe in the Market Place

Much discussion about fish and chip shops, too numerous to list here and also hairdressers.

In just over an hour, we covered many shops and I'm sure there are more to discuss another time. 

Thanks to all participants.

Home and Colonial in the market place