At the well-attended September meeting, members of Edwinstowe Historical Society welcomed guest speaker Mo Cooper, whose talk ‘The Clergyman, the Widow and the Milkman’ explored the landlords of working-class housing in Edwardian Nottingham, focusing on the Narrow Marsh, St Ann’s and Meadows areas. Mo’s research revealed that, although individual men owned the majority of property, women also played a significant role. Their investments in bricks and mortar reflected both the location and type of housing required, resulting in a complex mix of property ownership – which could just as easily belong to a clergyman, a widow or a milkman.
On 1st September, with the support of a community grant, two blue plaques were installed in the village. Olwen Hawkes, Chairperson of Edwinstowe Historical Society, spoke about the history of the two buildings and the reasons they merited Blue Plaque recognition. Rev Stuart Ellis, Superintendent Minister of the Sherwood Forest Methodist Circuit, unveiled the first plaque, which was placed on the Old Methodist Chapel on High Street – now holiday accommodation managed by Village Holidays’ Ross Morton and Laura McLafferty. The second plaque was unveiled at Edwinstowe Hall by owners Rachael and Nik Teal, whose home has returned to family use after many changes over the years.
The next talk, on Wednesday 19th November, will focus on the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Photographic displays at the Sherwood Forest Art and Craft Centre have recently featured Thoresby Colliery and the course of the River Maun on its journey through Nottinghamshire. Meetings are held in the Church Rooms, Mansfield Road, Edwinstowe NG21 9NJ, on the third Wednesday of each month, starting at 2.00pm and lasting for approximately two hours. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available. Annual membership is £15.00, and visitors are always welcome at a charge of £3.00. More information is available on the website http://www.edwinstowehistory.org.uk, and enquiries may be made to EdwinstoweHistorySoc@gmail.com.