Walk with an Expert: This Is Heritage Beeston

Professor John Beckett leads us around Beeston on a hunt for heritage tales and facts. A Heritage Open Days 2023 event.

Professor Beckett is a veteran local history expert, and his popular tours are always a hit with Local History buffs, and newbie Beestonians alike. 

For Heritage Open Days this year, he leads the group around the hidden details of Beeston, with interesting stories, facts, and observations – from the past to the present. Come along and join in with this interactive guided tour, or just tag along and listen.

Everyone welcome.

This is a FREE event for all. You can reseve a spot, or just turn up!

BOOK ONLINE or just turn up!

After Elain Harwood: Inspirational Nottingham

Boots D10 Building. © Chris Matthews

After the tragic death of Elain Harwood, our Beeston-born expert Guest Speaker, we asked Chris Matthews to step in at our Heritage event. Honouring Elain’s work, Chris discusses the importance of local twentieth century heritage. 

Elain Harwood’s Pevsner City Guide changed the way we look at Nottingham. Like Elain, the book was full of colour, modern, informed, concise, helpful and accessible.

It provided a fresh opportunity to reassess the challenges and strengths of the city and made its twentieth century history more coherent.Considering our current challenges this approach to the modern city is more important than ever.

This illustrated talk is by local historian, designer and conservation officer Chris Matthews.

About the Speaker

Chris Matthews has taught at the universities of Lincoln and Nottingham; he is a graphic designer and historian – currently working part time as a Conservation Officer for Nottingham City Council.

He has worked on various articles and publications such as ‘Homes & Places: A History of Nottingham’s Council Housing’, ‘Boots: The Modern Factory’ and ‘Model Villages of the Nottinghamshire Coalfield’.

Chris Matthews

Event

Doors open at 6pm for entrance to the Exhibition Marketplace – with stands and exhibitions by local heritage groups, charitable associations, creatives and producers. 

Entrance is FREE and open to everyone.

Booking a place for the main talk (7:30pm) is advisable as space is limited, and reserved patrons will be given priority over those who have not booked in advance for seating.