HERITAGE OPEN DAYS TALK, CHRIS MATTHEWS

SPOTLIGHT on… Standing in This Place, by Rachel Carter      

             

From 6pm
14 September 2023
Royal British Legion, Beeston, NG91EL

A Vote of Thanks

What an event! What attendance!

Chris Matthews treated us to two lively presentations. First a tribute to Elain Harwood – a timely insight into the breadth of her work so sadly cut short, followed by an excursion through the development of modern Nottingham from 19th Century congestion to the present day. 

We heard about the impacts of enclosure at a time of rapid population growth and industrialisation, and explored St Ann’s, Broad Marsh and the contributions of Jesse Boot, Players, council housing and so much else. 

Chris gave examples of developments both mundane and inspirational using his critical skills as a local historian, designer and conservation officer – all with a twist of dry humour. Above all, Chris gave us the really good talk Elain would have wanted. 

We hope to see Chris back, and all joined me in thanking him! 

We must also thank Rachel Carter for introducing many of us to Standing in this Place – a fascinating tribute to female Laceworkers of Nottingham. Her plans for a life-size bronze statue deserve our support because it was the everyday work of women like those figured in the piece who helped to put Nottingham, and Beeston, on the manufacturing map a century or more ago. This statue must be big enough to be remembered. Why? Because we all need to be mindful of our past if we are to thoughtfully manage our present and our future. Please do go to see the maquette in the Derby Museum of Making.

Our thanks, too, go to stallholders who created the interesting Exhibition Marketplace, and to The Royal British Legion for their fine venue and support. 

Peter Robinson
President
Beeston Civic Society

19 September 2023