A RUM STORY
Hosted by Whitehaven Civic Society, the AGM of the Cumbria Federation was held on 6th October at The Rum Story.
It was a most successful and enjoyable meeting, the necessary business being followed by a very interesting talk from
Pat Hall with a lively and amusing Mrs Mopp-style presentation by her volunteer Outreach Officer, Pat Morgan. This
flourishing Heritage Group was set up by Workington Civic Trust in response to the intention of Allerdale Borough
Council to close the Helena Thompson Museum and disperse the collection of costumes which, like the building, had
been given to the people of the town. As a result of the resistance to this proposal, both building and collection are
now managed by the independently run Heritage Group which also leads Reminiscence sessions in old people's homes
and works with children both on the premises and in the schools.
In complete contrast, the production and consumption of rum was explained during a conducted tour of the museum.
The exhibits and diaramas were very revealing and appropriate for this year, since they showed slaves being transported
and working in harsh conditions in the sugar plantations. The lunch in one of the cellars was topped off with a tot of
rum, followed by a walkabout round the harbour. It provided an impressive view of part of the revitalised centre of
Whitehaven with many boats in the new marina gleaming in autumnal sunshine as well as unexpected sunbathers.
The event offered a valuable opportunity to network and learn about what other societies are doing. In particular, the
example of what has been achieved shows how heritage can be brought into the classroom by members of civic societies.
A VIEW FROM THE RIVER
A week later on the Saturday & Sunday, the 13th &14th of October, the fourth 'Autumn Gathering' of North
West ACTS took place, this time based in Birkenhead. Organised by members of Wirral societies, representatives from
various parts of the region were able to learn a great deal about the area. In the former town hall, now a museum,
delegates learnt that Birkenhead had created the first municipal park in the world, which provided the model for
Central Park, New York, and that it also boasted the first tramway system in Europe. Some excellent talks, including
slide presentations on Liverpool and the Wirral were followed by a trip on the Mersey Ferry when the panorama of
buildings on both sides of the river was revealed. It was possible to appreciate the impact of historic buildings like the
Albert Dock and Pier Head complex which are the core of the World Heritage Site, together with more recent buildings
both completed and under construction, which are part of the regeneration of the city centre of Liverpool. In addition
to the planned visit to see the restoration of Birkenhead Park there was even a last-minute add-on in the form of a ride
in a vintage tram to complete the experience.
Visitors assembled at Birkenhead Park
Once again the programme also provided opportunities for different society members to meet and compare notes
on problems and practices in their own catchment areas. The value of such experiences is often underestimated,
providing so much at relatively little cost.
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS IN CUMBRIA
This year for the first time the Federation organised the publication of a countywide listing of openings and events
for Heritage Open Days. The idea was taken up not only by local civic societies, but also by a range of different groups.
These included the National Trust, the YHA, the Lancaster Canal Trust as well as history &village societies With
the support of Patrick Burke, English Heritage Outreach Officer, information was collated from the on-line and paper
applications to the Civic Trust with funding from a variety of sources, including Awards for All and Cumbria County
Council.
Events and activities were linked to the properties listed wherever possible, with for example the Pied Piper-like trail
from the storyteller's garden led by Taffy Thomas up to Grasmere Youth Hostel, the enactment written and produced
by Robert Bryden of Keswick Civic Society which was performed at the Derwentwater Hostel, and the visits to the
turbine house In the Mill Yard, Staveley forming part of a series of guided tours and exhibitions.
Plans are already being put in place for next year's programme from 11th-14th September. It is hoped that the
publicity will be more timely and effective and that the events and activities may be developed further and over a
wider area to include, for example, some 'openings' in other parts of West Cumbria. The aim is to involve more
families, children and young people and to encourage them to visit several places in the course of a day. This will
mean having clusters of properties and enough volunteers to go round. However, the feedback so far indicates
that there is a positive response from those participating this year and some indications from other groups new to
Heritage Open Days. Anyone reading this who would like to hear more is asked to contact Barbara and Peter Colley
by telephoning on 01539 821629 or emailing at colleygarth@btopenworld.com.
We would also like to hear from anyone with only a little time to spare who could take over the treasurership
of the Federation - a not very onerous, but vital task!
