Chester Society for Landscape History
Upper storeys of Chester’s iconic Rows (Photograph: Vanessa Greatorex)
Forthcoming Events
Sunday 19 May 2024, 11am
Field trip to Williamson’s Tunnels, Liverpool, led by Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels. More details are available on our Field Trips page. If you would like to attend, please notify our Chairwoman or Treasurer (see our Contact Us page for links to their email addresses).
Wednesday 12 June 2024, 12 noon
Field trip to The Old Dock, Liverpool. £7 per person.
Advance booking by Saturday 27 April 2024 essential.
See our Field Trips page for more information.
4-7 July 2024: Festival of Ideas
Free public events on a wide range of themes in and around Chester, created by the University of Chester and local organisations. Chester Society for Landscape History’s contribution is as follows:
Thursday 4 July 2024, 1pm
Lecture: We look but do we really see? Exploring and understanding local landscapes
Speakers: Professor Graeme White and Dr Sharon Varey
Venue: Chester Town Hall, Northgate Street, Chester
Click this link for more information: Festival of Ideas
Date tbc
Field trip to Helsby Quarry. More information will be added when the arrangements have been finalised.
Saturday 28 September 2024, 2pm
Lecture: Motte and Bailey Castles
Speaker: Chris Matthews, Landscape Archaeologist,
Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust
Venue: St Columba’s Church Hall, Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1SA
Admission: Members Free, Visitors £4, Student Visitors £2
What is Landscape History?
Landscape History is the study of how people have altered the landscape through time.
It seeks to explain the historical significance of the buildings, earthworks, flora and other physical features which are our common heritage. It embraces aspects of history, archaeology, architecture, geography, geology, botany and other disciplines.
“The English landscape itself, to those who know how to read it aright, is the richest historical record we possess.” – W.G. Hoskins.
Picks of the Week
Every week our Information Officer emails members links providing details of forthcoming events, activities and online resources related to landscape history in Britain and beyond. Here are some of this week’s recommendations:
‘England’s Pompeii’ gives insights into life in Britain 3,000 years ago
Numerous well-preserved artefacts have been found among the remains of Bronze Age huts destroyed by fire in the East Anglian Fens.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/peterborough-pompeii-bronzeage-discovery-dig-b2515155.html
Preservation plans for Wirral’s nearest island
At low tide Hilbre Island can be reached on foot from West Kirby, and now several of its semi-derelict historic buildings are set to get a new lease of life thanks to Hilbre Community Island Trust, which has acquired the lease from Wirral Council.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/inside-buildings-islands-you-can-28869103?utm_source=liverpool_echo_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Liverpool+Echo+-+Daily+Newsletter_newsletter&utm_content=&utm_term=&ruid=fee879e0-f9b7-4c6f-8ca5-a9fa64e03ff9
Anglo-Saxon remains in surprising places
Photos and info about surviving buildings and artistic treasures from all seven of the Anglo-Saxon heptarchs: Sussex, Essex, Wessex, Kent, East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria.
https://forums.canadiancontent.net/threads/how-the-remains-of-anglo-saxon-england-can-be-seen-in-the-most-surprising-places.140137/
Click the blue text for links to previous Picks of the Week.