A Report on our meeting held on the 25th March 2024
The archaeology around Skipsea Castle holds exciting prospects. A six year project to investigate has now started. Dr Elaine from the University of York showed the findings and explained their plans for the future.
A Report on our meeting held on the 18th March 2024
Michelle and Alan Beale told the story of Hull’s “White City”, a public pleasure park which followed the “White City” model found in other cities including the London 1908 Olympic Games venue. Although a big hit with the public, it proved to be a precarious financial venture.
A Report on our meeting held on the 4th March 2024
A Nostalgic Wander through Bridlington
Bro John Walker led members and guests on a nostalgic wander through Bridlington. He showed historic photographs from his extensive collection and told the stories they evoked.
A Report on our meeting held on the 26th February 2024
AGM highlights were the appointment of Sub Prior Michelle Stephens as Prior for the next season, Bro Robert Amos as the next Sub Prior, and also a significant increase in membership over the last year.
This was also a members’ evening with a difference. Members perused a wealth of photographs and other documents from the Central Library local history collection adding information about them.
A Report on our meeting held on the 19th February 2024
Members Chris and John Gatenby continued their investigation of the Gypsey Race looking at the geology and history associated with the lower reaches.
A Report on our meeting held on the 5th February 2024
Archivist Hannah Stamp outlined the history of the East Riding archiving service and the various forms the records take. She went on to describe how the records can be accessed and gave Bridlington examples of the types of records available.
A Report on our meeting held on the 29th January 2024
More Lost Buildings of Bridlington
The life stories of six lost buildings were the subject of Rick Hudson’s talk. The buildings were the Britannia Hotel, the Cock and Lion Inn, Fort Hall, Flat Top Farm, Stepney House, and “The Hollows”.
A Report on our meeting held on the 22nd January 2024
Max and Val Lunn are restoring the grade 2 star listed Hebblethwaite House in Westgate back to its former glory. Bro Max described the history of the house, the restoration, and the features revealed.
A Report on our meeting held on the 15th January 2024
History of Freemasonry in Bridlington
Bridlington’s first Freemason’s Lodge was consecrated in 1858. Our Scribe Bro Garry Sunley revealed some of the key moments and activities up to the present day.
A Report on our meeting held on the 4th December 2023
At this time of year we look forward to celebrating Christmas and plan for a fulfilling New Year. At the Augustinian Christmas Evening six members helped to do just this. The Scribe, Garry Sunley, acted as the Master of Ceremonies chancing some groan worthy cracker style jokes in the process. The evening ended with drinks and mince pies.
A Report on our meeting held on the 27th November 2023
Parliamentary constituency boundaries have recently changed. Member Keith Kaye decided this was a good time to remind Augustinians of the history of Bridlington’s parliamentary representation covering the years from 1832 to the present.
A Report on our meeting held on the 20th November 2023
Taking his inspiration from the new book, “The Driffield Town Trail”, member Harry Houldsworth introduced his fellow Augustinians to some of the buildings included, looking at both the architecture and the social history they represent.
A Report on our meeting held on the 30th October 2023
With Michael Bortoft as a guide, Augustinian members wondered the streets of Ravenscar and reviewed the attractions of this resort that never developed, as claimed by the promoters. The developer’s story was revealed, from conception to bankruptcy.
A Report on our meeting held on the 23rd October 2023
An enthusiastic talk by Peter Claxton covered the period from the uncontrolled Victorian building boom that led to squalor, through the move to more social housing after the WW1, and up to the present day. He included examples from Bridlington and the local rural area.
A Report on our meeting held on the 16th October 2023
Egyptologist Professor Joann Fletcher is well known for her TV appearances and books about ancient Egypt. She has also studied the links between Egypt and her home county of Yorkshire, particularly the coast. On 16th October she told the Augustinians all about them.
A Report on our meeting held on the 2nd October 2023
Anglo Saxon Burials at Sewerby Hall
Robert Chester MA, the Education Officer at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, gave an intriguing talk on the Anglo Saxon cemetery which had been excavated in 1959 and 1974. Some strange findings are still debated by archaeologists.
A Report on our meeting held on the 3rd April 2023
The last meeting of the season comprised the AGM followed by a talk by the Scribe Bro Garry Sunley about Bridlington in the year 1973.
A Report on our meeting held on the 27th March 2023
Sal Cooke OBE gave examples of how people and actions link from one to another. However, Sal is convinced there is an undiscovered missing link in the history of the protection of birds. Could a landlord’s daughter from an Old Town coaching inn have been involved?
A Report on our meeting held on the 20th March 2023
Lost Villages of the East Riding
Professor Emerita Barbara English’s well informed and beautifully illustrated talk covered many local lost villages. She explained with examples the many ways in which desertion of a village could be caused.
A Report on our meeting held on the 6th March 2023
Older locals will remember the Carltons department store which occupied the site of what is now the Boyes shop. Humphrey Keenlyside, a friend of the Carlton family has written a booklet about the store’s history. He presented an illustrated history to the Augustinians.
A Report on our meeting held on the 27th February 2023
There were five short presentations from members. They ranged from a Lancashire poem to celebrations of characters with local connections.
A Report on our meeting held on the 20th February 2023
Eastfield Roman Site Implications
Richard Myerscough was called in to advise on the geology and the building stones used at the enigmatic Roman site at Eastfield near Scarborough. He is now part of a widely supported offshoot project investigating these features at other Roman Villas on the Wolds.
A Report on our meeting held on the 6th February 2023
In 1670 Bridlington there was poverty among the working classes. The poor were a burden on parish funds. Bro John Walker, our current Prior, gave details of a knitting school set up to alleviate poverty funded by William Bower, a rich local merchant. The school was to survive for 200 years.
A Report on our meeting held on the 30th January 2023
In the case of our Scribe Bro Garry Sunley, the 3 B’s in Bridlington’s crest stand for “Bridlington Born and Bred”. And yet a radio news item referring to RAF Hunmanby left him bewildered. He had never heard of it. His researches led to this talk which included the history of the camp and some of the recruits who passed through.
A Report on our meeting held on the 23rd January 2023
In his latest talk Bro Rick Hudson explored how people travelled to Bridlington over the last 300 years as the resort attracted visitors in increasing numbers.
A Report on our meeting held on the 16th January 2023
The History of Radio in the UK and East Yorkshire
Peter Wilson is a retired broadcasting regulation consultant involved in framing government acts of parliament and setting up radio stations. He used this inside knowledge to critically review the history of broadcasting highlighting actions that affected East Yorkshire and gave a glimpse into the future of radio.
A Report on our meeting held on 5th December 2022
This was a jolly evening with five short presentations on a Christmas theme followed by mince pies, drinks, and a chat with friends. The only groans came in response to the Scribe’s Christmas cracker jokes.
A Report on our meeting held on 28th November 2022
Bro Keith Kaye revealed a saga of high society living, unsuccessful business deals, fraud, adultery, extradition, and imprisonment. It was the second Lord Terrington who achieved this scandalous notoriety, which the press in the 1920’s were delighted to expose. The culprit was by name Harold James Selborne Woodhouse, whose ancestors hail from Flamborough.
A Report on our meeting held on 21st November 2022
Over the last two centuries it has become gradually easier for more people to visit the seaside. Bro Fred Walkington MBE explained how this happened, and how Bridlington changed to attract and benefit from the tourists. He had some excellent and rare photographs in his entertaining presentation.
A Report on our meeting held on 7th November 2022
For centuries, nobody has known whether King Arthur existed or is mythical. But the problem can now be solved. So said our speaker Andrew Breeze whose analysis of the earliest chronicles shows Arthur as a warrior in what is now southern Scotland. He was fighting battles against other Britons in the terrible famine inducing volcanic winter of 536-7, and dying a hero’s death near Castlesteads on Hadrian’s Wall.
A Report on our meeting held on 31st October 2022
The Diaries of William Watson, Bailiff of Sewerby Home Farm.
Sub-prior Michelle Stephenson’s talk covered the period from 1910 to 1915. The diaries give a rare detailed description of farming life at the time. Michelle entertained us with some of the more interesting items.
A Report on our meeting held on 24th October 2022
Most people know of William Wilberforce and his fight to abolish slavery. Tim Tubbs in his talk explained what moved William to take on this fight, how he achieved what he did, and what kind of man he was. By the end of Tim’s talk it was as if we had known William Wilberforce personally.
A Report on our meeting held on 17th October 2022
Catherine Rayner MA targeted her part of the talk on the visits the Bronte sisters made to the Yorkshire coast. Her brother David Walford then outlined the changing social conditions at the time.
A Report on our Meeting held on 3rd October 2022
On the western Wolds overlooking the Vale of York are two hilltops within sight of each other which display strange crop marks. Dr Peter Halkon, a prominent archaeologist and Bridlington School old boy, described the surveys, excavations, and finds made on these sites over recent years.
A Report on our Meeting held on 4th April 2022
Members of the Bridlington Augustinian Society ended the season with their AGM after a successful season of entertaining and informative talks; albeit with some quick shuffling of the programme now and again necessitated by the resurgence of Covid.
A Report on our Meeting held on 28th March 2022
The History of Bradshaws Mill.
Bradshaws Mill in Driffield, also known as Bell Mills, is a prominent landmark and a major business. Family member Stuart Bradshaw related the history of the mill and the Bradshaw family’s involvement.
A Report on our Meeting held on 21st March 2022
The Gansey Girl and other Art Installations
Bro Steve Carvill has earned a glowing and far reaching reputation as an artist, and in particular for his work as a sculptor. He regaled us with the stories behind some of his creations, in particular the “Gansey Girl” so beloved of Bridlingtonians.
A Report on our Meeting held on 7th March 2022
Tracy Allen from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust introduced the Augustinians to the mystical world of dew ponds, and told of the research carried out and repairs instigated and encouraged by the trust.
A Report on our Meeting held on 28th February 2022
Little did Bro John Walker know that when in 1968 his father said, “I’ll tell you what Lad, we’ll build a Wold Wagon”, it would lead to the construction of a scale model of a Romany gypsy caravan and an interest in the Romany way of life.
A Report on our Meeting held on 21st February 2022
There were five short presentations with topics from murder most foul to a gently flowing stream.
A Report on our Meeting held on 7th February 2022
The Alex – an ongoing detective story
We all like detective stories. Bro Martin Wallace shared the juicy stories, false leads, evidence discovered, and on-going revelations that led to his successful books about Bridlington’s grand Alexandra Hotel.
A Report on our Meeting held on 31st January 2022
The History of Sewerby Village
Bro Rick Hudson’s illustrated talk was the about history of Sewerby village. A brief look at relevant geology was followed by a review human history through the ages up to the present day.
A Report on our Meeting held on 24th January 2022
Recent Archaeological Discoveries at the Priory.
The Rev Matthew Pollard, Rector at the Priory, has been a witness to recent archaeological investigations at the Priory Church. Although the results have yet to be published Matthew was able to excite us with a glimpse at the work carried out and some possible outcomes.
A Report on our Meeting held on 17th January 2022
J Arthur Rank; Flour Miller and Film Maker
The Rev. Robert Amos took his audience on an interactive trip discovering the life of J Arthur Rank. It was a life starting in flour milling but majoring as the founder of the British film industry.
A Report on our Meeting held on 6th December 2021
Happiness reigned. The only groans coming in response to the Scribe’s Christmas cracker jokes which interspersed the evening’s short presentations on a Christmas theme.
A Report on our Meeting held on 29th November 2021
Beverley Minster contains woodwork spanning over 1000 years from roof timbers which were saplings in 921AD to elegant prayer desks made in 2007. John Phillips FSA gave an illustrated tour of the minster’s carved woodwork and its history.
A Report on our Meeting held on 22nd November 2021
This talk was about how the River Hull valley was made habitable by improvements to drainage made over several centuries. The speaker was Ian Reid, emeritus professor at Loughborough University and formally chair of the River Hull Valley Drainage Heritage Group.
A Report on our Meeting held on 15th November 2021
The Exotic Roots of Rhubarb and Other Favourites of English Food
The Augustinians sometimes wonder if a talk will turn out to be just a load of rhubarb. Well this time, in part, it was. Christopher Hirst, the award winning food writer and journalist, eloquently explored the exotic roots of some favourite English foods, including rhubarb, but also oysters, and goose and turkey.
A Report on our Meeting held on 1st November 2021
The Augustinians were both educated and entertained by Dr Andrew (Bones) Jones B.Sc., D.Phil, F.S.A., F.S.A Scot. His style was one involving both humour and audience participation. After a brief review of his working life as an archaeologist, he concentrated on the under-researched and under-celebrated archaeology of Flamborough Head.
A Report on our Meeting held on 25th October 2021
Some Augustinian Historical Adventures
Sub Prior Bro John Walker, like other Augustinians before him, has spent decades with various fellow Augustinians researching local history. Thanks to the permissions and tip offs from locals and developers, this has included visiting sites as history is being revealed and taking photographs. Bro John’s illustrated talk covered just a few of these adventures.
A Report on our meeting held on 18th October 2021
The Changing Face of Bridlington Harbour
Bro Fred Walkington MBE has spent a lifetime involved in the battle between Bridlington and the sea. His intimate and personal knowledge of the harbour and his collection of rarely seen photographs and other records made for an enthralling talk.
A report of our meeting held on 4th October 2021
Bro Robin Sharpe’s illustrated talk about the Bridlington Marina saga was read by the Scribe Bro Garry Sunley. Sadly, Bro Robin died in 2020. This, his last presentation, was as usual full of detail that informed, entertained, and jogged memories. In this case it also left us asking the question, “What if?
It was a story of huge marina schemes that were overly optimistic, practical schemes that couldn’t find finance, schemes that would have drained the ratepayers’ pockets, and schemes that would have cost the ratepayer nothing. Most of all, it is the lesson that when any one vital stakeholder perceives they will lose more than they gain, then nothing will happen.
A report on our meeting held on 27th September 2021
The first meeting for over 18 months, began with a combined postponed AGM from 2020 and delayed AGM from March 2021. Afterwards the Scribe with his usual insight and humour entertained the members with a potted history of the society.
The Coronavirus Pandemic meant that the meetings beyond February 2020 were not possible. It was decided to produce a Newsletter, entitled the “Breviary” to be emailed to members on a monthly basis. Here is a report of the first issue.
A report on our meeting held on 24th February 2020
In a very full evening, four members gave short presentations involving the history of Bridlington buses, war damage claims, a local farm house, and local conservation. Most of the presentations were illustrated. The evening was rounded off with a tour the Bridlington Augustinian internet sites.
A report on our meeting held on 17th February 2020
Bridlington Railways 1846 to 1946
In its heyday the Bridlington Railway station grounds stretched from the marshalling area where B&Q now stands, across to the goods yard now occupied by Tesco, with a link to the harbour. Roger Stanley took us on a journey through time showing how this development progressed.
A report on our meeting held on 3rd February 2020
Sewerby Hall – A House Renewed
Rob Chester is perhaps best known for his alter ego, the butler at Sewerby Hall. Who better then to describe the recent refurbishment of this grand Georgian house taking it back to what it looked like in its Edwardian heyday.
A report on our meeting held on 27th January 2020
Our speaker Bro Rick Hudson looked at life’s difficulties experienced by the poor in the hundred years up to 1950. His overview was illuminated by examples from the lives of local people and from his own family history research.
A report on our meeting held on 20th January 2020
Len Collins gave a wide ranging review of Roman York. This included what York looked like in its Roman heyday, the remains that can still be seen, and what life was like there.
A report on our meeting held on 6th January 2020
The History of the Queensgate Allotments part 1
Richard Myerscough, who is heading up an archaeological investigation at the Queensgate Allotments, gave our Charles Brear memorial lecture. He has found geological evidence stretching back some 150,000 years and artefacts from humans stretching back some 10,000 years.
A report on our meeting held on 2nd December 2019
The Augustinian Christmas Evening is about fun and friendship. We had poetry, childhood reminiscences, amusing reports, and a picture quiz. The evening ended with mince pies, drinks and a chat with friends.
A report on our meeting held on 25th November 2019
As usual from Bro Fred Walkington MBE we had a story well told, well researched and with lots of unique photographs. This time his topic was the history of Spurn Point involving geology, military installations, and the safety of shipping.
A report on our meeting held on 18th November 2019
Titanic – The Links with Bridlington
Augustinian member Chris Gatenby explored the Titanic links to Bridlington. These include officers and crew, passengers, a race horse, and a newly discovered fact about Joseph Boxhall, the Fourth Officer of the Titanic.
A report on our meeting held on 4th November 2019
Augustinian member Michelle Stephens has only lived in High Street for a short time but is enthralled by its history and is active in its promotion. Her talk, illustrated where possible with contemporary pictures of the properties, was a result of her researches looking at the 1911 census returns from the south side of this bustling street, that is all the odd numbers.
A report on our meeting held on 28th October 2019
Childhood Memories of Wartime Bridlington
Photographs of bomb ravaged Bridlington were taken by Foster Brigham as an official record. Our speaker Mrs Delia Smith was surrounded by a display of these photographs courtesy of the Bridlington Local Studies library. During her talk she was able to add those little details from her memory of her childhood in wartime Bridlington that brought those photographs to life.
A Report on our meeting held on 21st October 2019
Jenny Ashby expertly explained the origins and legacy of the Anglo-saxons.
A report on our meeting held on 7th October 2019
A house in Rudston was to be cleared and some old books would be burned. Almost by chance one such book was shown to Bro John Walker and he recognised it as a valuable historic document. It was the Rudston Constable’s Account Book starting in 1829 and gave a remarkable glimpse into village life and how the village worked.
A report on our meeting held on 25th March 2019
The last meeting of the season was a brief AGM followed by a “Bring Something Interesting” evening.
A report on our meeting held on 18th March 2019
Our Speaker Dr Andrew Woods enthusiastically described the recent Wold Newton coin hoard as one of the largest and best excavated coin hoards in Britain. Not only that, it dates from a period of turmoil within the Roman Empire and he showed how it reflects much of what we know about this period.
A report on our meeting held on 4th March 2019
Your reporter was absent but a resume of her talk can be found via the link.
A report on our meeting held on 25th February 2019
Four members gave varied short presentations about our fascinating local history. Featured were Watton Priory ghost, Christchurch, Great War commemorations, and local 100 year old cine film.
A report on our meeting held on 18th February 2019
World War Two was different to the Great War. Everyone was involved and everyone was in danger. When the first bombs fell on Bridlington in 1940 we knew it. Our speaker Bro John Walker looked at the impact on a typical Bridlington Mum, his Mum.
A report on our meeting held on 4th February 2019
Today’s world is full of symbols. They are everywhere, for example on road signs, toilet doors, and computer desktops. Our speaker Bro David Mooney took us back in time to a period when the symbols of heraldry were more prominent.
A report on our meeting held on 28th January 2019
The Bridlington 1919 Peace Pageant
Once the war was officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919, it was time for Bridlington to welcome the peace. A week-long celebration was masterminded by Robert Horspool, the art master at the Grammar School.
This was the greatest event ever organised in Bridlington. With over 400 people parading in period costumes and other events too, nothing before or in the one hundred years since has been on such a scale.
A report on our meeting held on 21st January 2019
Joan, the eccentric daughter of a rich mill owning family in the West Riding, had a collection of clothes actually worn by her family during the 1850 to 1950 period. She used them to present a popular catwalk show called “100 years of Fashion”. The Reverend Matthew Pollard, today the Rector of Bridlington’s Priory Church, was one of her models. He told us the story of the show and the featured clothes.
A report on our meeting held on 7th January 2019
In the Charles Brear Memorial Lecture our Prior Bro Garry Sunley continued his recollections of the 1960’s, amply illustrated with photographs, and enhanced with an entertaining commentary. The emphasis this time was on leisure time pursuits, both outdoor and indoor.
A report on our meeting held on 3rd December 2018
The Augustinian Christmas Evening is always fun. Five members in turn regaled us with amusing readings. It proved to be something of a Marriott Edgar evening.
A Report on our meeting held on 26th November 2018
Bridlington Lifeboat and Coastguards 1805 to Date
Who better to give the talk than Bro Fred Walkington MBE who crewed for decades on the Bridlington lifeboat including 25 years as coxswain. Throughout the talk Bro Fred showed some amazing photographs from his unrivalled collection on this subject.
A Report on our meeting held on 19th November 2018
Sal Cooke spoke about the 71 year history of the Yorkshire Belle. By the end of her talk we could smell the sea, marvel at the scenery and wildlife, hear the music, and share with the Richardson family a pride in this polished and shipshape vessel, the finest on the east coast, and one of Bridlington’s real treasures.
A Report on our meeting held on 5th November 2018
“Yorkshire” by Professor Richard Morris
The new book entitled just “Yorkshire” has received much praise and has been Radio 4’s book of the week. The Author Professor Richard Morris met with the Augustinians to explain how the book came about and to tell the story of some of content.
A report on our meeting held on 29th October 2018
Death & Mourning in Days Gone By
Who would have thought that a talk on death and mourning could prove so interesting, entertaining and humorous. Our speaker Judith Bangs achieved all this. After all, she said, “Real Fun” is an anagram of “Funeral”.
A report on our meeting held on 22nd October 2018
Sensational Victorian Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Our speaker was Dr. Janine Hatter, Honorary Research Associate at Hull University. Her topic was Mary Elizabeth Braddon, a nineteenth-century theatrical and literary sensation who shocked Victorians with scandals in both her writing and personal life.
A report on our meeting held on 15th October 2018
Bro Robin’s illustrated talk about Bridlington in the 1970’s was read for him by Sal Cooke OBE. As usual it was full of detail that informed, amused, and jogged memories. In this case the stand out feature was the mass of information about Bridlington’s businesses.
A report on our meeting held on 1st October 2018
The Building of the St Martins on the Hill Church
St Martins on the Hill in Scarborough is a Victorian church built for Anglo Catholics in a predominantly non-conformist town. The money was raised by subscription only. How did they do it and what was the result?
A report on our meeting held on 26th March 2018
The last meeting of the season was a brief AGM followed by a presentation by Wendy and Brian Etherington entitled, “Can you remember when?”
A report on our meeting held on 19th March 2018
Four members gave what proved to be very different presentations featuring life on 1950’s West Hill, Elmswell Old Hall, Tanks in Bridlington, and family lost at sea.
A report on our meeting held on 5th March 2018
Our Scribe and past Prior Bro George Parrott is a supporter of the RNLI lifeboat. He was given access to the new lifeboat house during the build and told the story of the work with the aid of a pictorial diary.
A report on our meeting held on 26th February 2018
Our speaker Roger Stanley had a long career in the aerospace industry. This made him an ideal candidate to research Sir George Cayley who lived near Scarborough and is acknowledged internationally as the “Father of Flight”, even being praised as such by Wilbur Wright.
A report on our meeting held on 19th February 2018
Our speaker Margaret Jury found that her great aunt Mary emigrated to Australia in the late 1800’s. With the help of letters home from emigrants reported in the Rudston parish magazines she realised that Mary was not the only one. There had been a mass migration tempted by the Queensland authorities offering a “workers’ paradise”. Margaret told their stories illustrated with pictures.
A report on our meeting held on 5th February 2018
Bro Robin Sharpe’s presentation about Flamborough, voiced by Prior Garry Sunley, took us back to a Flamborough of yesteryear. Using his collection of postcards, books and press cuttings followed up with extensive research he was able to paint a picture of a quiet fishing village of ancient origin and the people who lived there.
A report on our meeting held on 29th January 2018
Bro Rick Hudson just loves Art Deco. His talk looked at the history of the Art Deco movement particularly as it relates to buildings. He included some of Bridlington’s Art Deco influenced buildings; some still standing, others lost.
A report on our meeting held on 22nd January 2018
“The Lady of Avenel”. She was a sailing ship, a brig, often to be seen in Bridlington harbour. This is her story.
A report on our meeting held on 15th January 2018
How the Victorians invented Christmas.
Christmas as we know it today is little different to how it was at the end of the Victorian period in 1900. But go back another 100 years to 1800 and we learn that Christmas was just one of several winter festivals with New Year being the major celebration. What changes did the Victorians make.
A report on our meeting held on 4th December 2017
The Augustinian Christmas evening ended with mince pies, drinks and a chat with friends. It began with reflections and lots of funs. Our Scribe Bro George Parrott acted as master of ceremonies as a number of members entertained us.
A report on our meeting held on 27th November 2017
Bridlington Cobles: A Tale of Work, Sport, and Romance
Augustinians know that there is no one better than Bro Fred Walkington MBE to tell us about Bridlington and its relationship with the sea. This time we learned about cobles and the people that used them for work, sport and even romance.
A report on our meeting held on 20th November 2017
There’s nothing Augustinians like better than a rummage into our local history. But how far back can we look? Our speaker Roger Osborne took us back millions of years with his exploration of the local geology.
A report from our meeting held on 6th November 2017
Augustinians were entertained by Clive and Kath Richardson with amazing stories from World War One.
A report on our meeting held 30th October 2017
For our “Bring Something Evening” several members brought treasured items and talked about the stories behind them.
A report on our meeting held on 23rd October 2017
Philip Robson and Matthew Brown told us about the Yorkshire Wolds Railway based at Fimber on part of the original “Malton Dodger” route, and the history of the original line which ran from Malton to Driffield.
A report on our meeting held 16th October 2017
Our speaker Geraldine Mathieson has had a life long interest in windmills. She is currently a volunteer miller at Wrawby Mill in North Lincolnshire. Her talk told the story of windmills.
A report on our meeting held 2nd October 2017
Carnaby Airfield was developed as an emergency landing strip during WW2. This talk told the story of the airfield, the people involved, and the efforts to provide a memorial to honour them.
A report on our pilgrimage to Rudston Church on 12th June 2017
A report on our meeting held 27th March 2017
A report on our meeting held 20th March 2017
Interests in local history tend to concentrate on the development of our towns and the characters who lived there. This week we looked at the countryside that surrounds our towns and how it has changed through the ages. We could have had no better person to tell the story than Chris Tomson. He spent a lifetime in farming before turning his experience to the role of farm conservation advisor.
A report on our meeting held on 6th March 2017
They say it is not what you know, but who you know. For some though what you know counts for more. Michael Mortimer’s talk illustrated this. He told the story of two of Bridlington School’s old boys from the interwar years, Ronald Duncan and Norman Feather, whose progress through life could not have been more different.
A report on our meeting held on 27th February 2017
A History of Methodism in Bridlington.
A brief history of Methodism and a review of the chapels in Bridlington and district by the Rev John Fisher
A report on our meeting held on 20th February 2017
A look at a royal barge designed by William Kent, a poem in East Yorkshire dialect, the illustrious family of a humble Flamborough fisherman, a local painting made into an animation, and a history of Shrove Tuesday.
A report on our meeting held on 6th February 2017
“The Swinging Sixties” by Bro Garry Sunley
A tour of Bridlington as it was in the 60’s with photographs and anecdotes.
A report on our meeting held on 30th January 2017
“Bridlington’s Lost Building – Hospitality” by Bro Rick Hudson
A look back at Sands Cottage and Café, the Lloyd’s and Bempton Lane hospitals, and the huge St Ann’s Convalescent Home.
A report on our meeting held on 23rd January 2017
“A Model History” by Chris Hobbs
Model making for films, museums and visitor centres helping to bring history to life.
A report on our meeting held on 16th January 2017
“A Tale of Two Yorkshire Meteorites” by Bro David Mooney
The Wold Newton and Guisborough meteorites and the characters involved.
A report on our meeting held on 5th December 2016
“Christmas Evening” short presentations and mince pies.
Fun a plenty including poems by Marriott Edgar.
A report on our meeting held on 28th November 2016
“Bridlington’s Photographic Heritage” by Bro John Walker
Old photographs of Bridlington and the people who took them.
A report on our meeting held 21st November 2016
“Winifred Holtby’s Yorkshire Roots – A Family Connection” by Robin Horspool FRSA
A personal insight into the life of Winifred Holtby including family photographs and memories.
A report on our meeting held 7th November 2016
“Visit Bridlington – The Early Years” by Bro Fred Walkington MBE
How they got here, where they stayed, and what they did.
A report on our meeting held 31st October 2016
“The History of Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team” by Mrs Irene Cook.
From Rockets to Helicopters, the full story.
A report on our meeting held 24th October 2016
The speaker Mrs Jean Fenwick BA (Hons) gave her talk, “The Changing Patterns and Discoveries at Holy Trinity Church, Hull”. Jean’s main focus of attention was the stained glass windows which she described in detail with some excellent photographs.
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A report on our meeting held 18th October 2016
The speaker Dr. Peter Halkon spoke to us on the subject of the Parisi-Britons and Romans in Eastern Yorkshire. Peter is a lecturer in archaeology in the Department of History at the University of Hull.
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A report on the meeting held 3rd October 2016
Exactly 150 years ago the Prince’s Parade was being constructed. Bro Robin’s illustrated talk discussed the development of the Royal Prince’s Parade and especially the Floral Pavilion, where the final concert was given thirty years ago in September 1986 by Edwin Harper’s Orchestra.
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A report on our Pilgrimage on 9th May
One of the most iconic buildings in Bridlington is the “Snaps” building which overlooks the harbour and the north pier from the end of Prince Street. Nearby are the Harbour Grottos. Members had the opportunity to visit both.
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A Report on our meeting held 21st March 2016, our AGM
The last meeting of the Augustinian Society season was the Annual General Meeting. The Prior, Rick Hudson, welcomed members, and in his report thanked all the members of the Chapter and the membership who had helped him and the society throughout the year. The evening was not all business however. The Prior had asked members to bring items of historic interest to talk about after the AGM business was concluded. The response was overwhelming. Over 20 members brought something.
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A report on our meeting held 7th March 2016
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members. He then introduced the speaker, Tim Shardler Hall. Tim has investigated the archaeology of the Vale of Pickering for over 25 years and has excavated at Star Carr. He is Reader in Public Archaeology at University College London. Star Carr and the rest of the Vale of Pickering was an important area of human settlement 10,000 years ago just after the last ice age.
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A report on our meeting held 29th February 2016
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and guests to a packed room. Later arrivals had to set out more chairs for themselves squeezed in at the back. He then introduced the speaker, David Neave. David was Senior Lecturer in Regional and Local History at Hull University. He is a good friend of the Augustinian Society having given talks to them for over 40 years. His topic tonight was “Castles to Cottages. Houses of East Yorkshire from the Middle Ages to 1800.”
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A report on our meeting held 22nd February 2016
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and then introduced the speaker, Andrew Aldis. Andrew is the General Manager at the Spa and he talked about how he came to the Spa, the history of the Spa including more recent successes, and the exciting plans for the future.
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A report on our meeting held 15th February 2016
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and commented on the enjoyable “refection” held the week before. The Scribe, Bro George Parrott, then introduced four members in turn who gave presentations on a wide range of topics in their own individual styles. It is this variety that makes the Member’s Evening so enjoyable.
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A report on our meeting held 1st February 2016
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and an invited guest and handed over to the Scribe, Bro George Parrott, for notices. The Scribe also invited the Prior to give his talk “Bridlington’s Lost Buildings – Entertainment”. The Peoples Palace, Victoria Rooms, Floral Hall, and Grand Pavilion were covered in depth.
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A report on our meeting held 25th January 2016
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and invited guests and then introduced the speaker, Jeff Wardlow. Jeff describes himself as a local “anarak” of the village of Bempton were he was born and bred. His talk was entitled, “Bempton and Bempton Climmers”.
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A report on our meeting held 18th January 2016
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and introduced the speaker Robert Chester. He is the Education Officer at Sewerby Hall and Gardens and often takes the role of the butler when presenting the history of Sewerby Hall. Robert recalled that in 1915 John Graham, the real life butler at Sewerby House, joined the army and eventually was an officer’s batman and had charge of an officers’ mess and its soldier servants. This led him to research the role of soldier servants in the First World War.
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A report on our meeting held on 4th January 2016
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and guests and wished all a Happy New Year. He congratulated a member who had received an OBE in the New Year’s honours list. He then introduced the speaker Bro David Mooney, stone mason and eminent local historian. His talk for this, the Charles Brear Memorial Evening, was entitled “Wings over East Yorkshire”.
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A report on our meeting held 7th December 2015
Prior Rick Hudson arose from a desk adorned with a Christmas tree and welcomed members and a guest. After a few notices, Scribe Bro George Parrott then acted as Master of Ceremonies introducing several members in turn. The Christmas Evening is by tradition an evening when members can give a short presentation to suit the season.
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A report on our meeting held 30th November 2015
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed the many members who had turned up despite a thoroughly wet day. He then introduced the speaker, Malcolm Scott. Malcolm has a degree in Modern History and Politics and taught local history courses in Hull and the East Riding. Malcolm’s talk was entitled, “Hull’s 1911 Strikes”. This included a strike by schoolchildren.
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A report on our meeting held on 23rd November 2015
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and then invited Dr Zoe Kinsley, Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Hope University, to give her talk entitled “Dorothy Richardson’s 1801 Tour to Bridlington Quay”. With Zoe’s guidance, and using Dorothy Richardson’s own words and sketches, we were able to conjure up in our minds the manners, sounds, sights and smells of a thriving Bridlington Quay as witnessed over 200 years ago.
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A Report on our meeting on 16th November 2015
Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members. He then introduced honorary member Bro Robin Sharpe MA whose paper was entitled, “Canon John Topham, Rector of Bridlington Priory from 1915 to 1944”. Bro John Walker and Judy Wilson read the illustrated lecture on Bro Robin’s behalf
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A Report on our meeting on 2nd November 2015
The Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and guests on a foggy evening. There was very nearly a full house to hear Bro Fred Walkington MBE introduce us to the brand new “Bridlington Maritime Trail”.
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A Report on our meeting on 26th October 2015
The Prior Rick Hudson introduced Dr. Robb Robinson. He is from a seafaring family and lectures at Hull University. His particular interest is maritime history. His illustrated talk was entitled, “Dynamic Energetic Coast, the East Riding, its People, and the Sea” and concentrated on the Holderness coast.
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A report on our meeting on 19th October 2015
The Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members and invited Past Prior Bro John Walker to give his talk entitled, “A High Street Golden Wedding”. This was the Purvis Memorial Lecture. Bro John uses this event to give a glimpse into life in Old Town over 100 years ago.
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A report on our meeting on 5th October 2015
The Prior Rick Hudson welcomed members to a new season of exciting talks and introduced Kath and Clive Richardson to the near full house. They continued the story of Clive’s grandmother, Margaret in a talk entitled, “The Woman Who Didn’t Exist”. This time we heard about what happened to the children.
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A report on our pilgrimage on 25th August 2015
Members of the Bridlington Augustinian Society and their guests enjoyed their summer outing or “pilgrimage” to the Southburn Archaeological Museum.
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A report on our meeting on 2nd March 2015
Prior Judy Wilson welcomed members and introduced Richard Myerscough, whose talk was about the geology and archaeology of Ryedale Windy Pits.
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A report on our meeting on 23rd February 2015
The Prior Judy Wilson introduced Bill Coultard to the near full house, there to hear about the Southburn Archaeological Museum. Bill is chairman of the museum.
Please note; you can visit the Southburn Museum’s webpage at www.samatsouthburn.com