The curious connection between Crocheting and Army Flying
Arts and crafts probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of British Army Flying, but Dan Ball explores the unique way it is being used in Hampshire to get local communities involved with aviation history.
Arts and crafts probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of British Army Flying, but in this fascinating podcast Dan Ball explores the unique way the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop is using craft to involve the local community with our aviation history.
And that’s not the only thing on this podcast! With over 150 years of history, the Army Air Corps and its predecessors have a fascinating story that spans some of the UK’s most tumultuous moments. The award-winning Army Flying Museum brings these tales to the modern day with dazzling realism. Dan talks about how they pull it off, along with some of the exciting things on display. How did a child-sized dummy hidden in the back of a garden shed become one of the pieces? Uncover the incredible story!
Further Information & a Call to Action!
Learn more about the “Magnificent Mini Medals” display, try your hand at knitting, or submit a poem to be displayed by the museum in a collection.
If you want to read more about the history of the Army Air Corps, check out the National Army Museum’s website. There, you can trace its foundation in World War II all the way to its operations in Afghanistan.
On top of that, you can watch some of the lectures that Dan talked about during the podcast. They cover a wide range of topics, such as the Battle of Britain to the individual stories of pilots.
Discover some of the Army Flying Museum’s vast collection of fun and educational family resources. Make your own glider, print out colouring sheets, word searches, and more!
Playmakers, Pantos and Pirates: The Story of Historical Huzzahs
From the roaring cannons of pirate ships to packed air raid shelters of World War II, Martin Jakeman discusses how history can be more than words on a page.
Martin Jakeman is the founder and artistic director of the Winchester based Theatre company, Historical Huzzahs. He explores how theatre and live performances can be used to teach audiences about history in an active and engaging style. Learn how the idea developed from his time performing on the streets of Winchester, hearing the real stories of British citizens on the home front of World War II, working with the illustrator of Horrible Histories, and more.
Martin Jakeman
In 2018, a year after graduating the University of Winchester, Martin started his job at the National Museum of the Royal Navy. It was here that his love for heritage and performance really began to flourish. At the beginning of 2019, with mentoring from the Theatre Royal Winchester (TRW) and Hat Fair, he founded his theatre company Historical Huzzahs. Since then he has co-created Home Fires with the staff and volunteers at TRW and with backing from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Martin and Historical Huzzahs would like to take this opportunity to say;
Thank you to the Theatre Royal Winchester and Winchester Hat Fair for all their support and mentoring, the National Museum of the Royal Navy for giving us a platform to performed our R&D and a big thank you to Heritage Open Days Winchester for the performance opportunities and ongoing their support of emerging artists.
Further Information & a Call to Action!
Martin has always found the combination of performing arts and heritage fascinating. In the summers of 2012-2015 he attended the Ufton Drama Summer School which is held at the stunning tutor manor Ufton Court. It was here he got his first experience of performing in a historical setting. In 2018, a year after graduating the University of Winchester, Martin started his job at the National Museum of the Royal Navy. It was here that his love for heritage and performance really began to flourish. At the beginning of 2019, with mentoring from the Theatre Royal Winchester (TRW) and Hat Fair, he founded his theatre company Historical Huzzahs The company specialises in fun, interacting and accessible history for audiences of all ages and abilities. Since then he has co-created Home Fires with the staff and volunteers at TRW and with backing from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The performative social history project includes collecting stories from local Hampshire residence who lived at the 1939-1945 Home Front. The mix of interactive performance, artifact handily, verbatim accounts and a platform for others to tell their stories has proved extremely popular at the many venues it has toured to across Hampshire.
If you have enjoyed this episode why not visit Historical Huzzahs website: Historical Huzzahs . They are also on Facebook: @Historicalhuzzahs, Twitter: @HHuzzahs and Instagram: historicalhuzzahs
Love this podcast, then why not follow Hampshire HistBites on social media for more fabulous stories and history.
How Sea Shanties Kept the Royal Navy Sailing!
The image of ragged sailors singing sea shanties as waves crash onto the deck is inseparable from our view of sailing. In this podcast Martin Jakeman discusses the history and function of this Royal Navy tradition.
The image of ragged sailors singing sea shanties as waves crash onto the deck is inseparable from our view of sailing. In this fun podcast Martin Jakeman discusses the history and function of this Royal Navy tradition.
Today, most people can hum along to the tune of “Drunken Sailor,” but the grim origins behind the lyrics are often overlooked. In this episode Martin Jakeman from Historical Huzzahs reveals the truth.
You will also discover how the shanties kept morale high at sea, how they changed with the invention of steam ships, and how the tradition is kept alive. You may be surprised by the latter!
Martin Jakeman
In 2018, a year after graduating the University of Winchester, Martin started his job at the National Museum of the Royal Navy. It was here that his love for heritage and performance really began to flourish. At the beginning of 2019, with mentoring from the Theatre Royal Winchester (TRW) and Hat Fair, he founded his theatre company Historical Huzzahs. Since then he has co-created Home Fires with the staff and volunteers at TRW and with backing from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Further Information & a Call to Action!
For more information on Royal Navy history and traditions we recommend visiting the Royal Naval National Museum website. Here you will find historical projects, and details of the individual museums of which many can be found in Hampshire. You can search the archives and collections online, and even adopt a naval object!
And if you enjoyed this podcast as much as Ellie and Martin did recording it, why not visit Martin Jakeman’s sea shanties on Facebook. Next week we will be joined again by martin in a special long episode, but if you cannot wait until then why not discover more today about Historical Huzzahs on their Official Website.
If you enjoyed this podcast, do leave a comment below and don’t forget to tell your friends!
Our Greatest Treasure - The English Language
Join Christopher Mulvey and discover why the speech of a North Sea island has become the global language, why Her Majesty doesn’t speak like a Hampshire farmer, and what Winchester’s got to do with it!
Christopher Mulvey, Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Winchester and a trustee of the English Project, takes us on a historical journey of the English Language, explaining how invasions, colonisation and transatlantic naval and aeronautical dominance have all influenced the way we speak in Britain today. Mulvey also discusses dialect, sociolects and how London English has been adopted in Hampshire. His dream is to build a multi-million-pound museum in Winchester, dedicated to the fascinating complexities of the English Language.
Christopher Mulvey
Christopher Mulvey is Emeritus Professor of English, Co-ordinator of the Winchester Scholars Scheme and a General Editor of the Winchester University Press. He is a graduate of Magdalen College, Oxford. He received his PhD from Columbia University. His articles are numerous, and his books include Anglo-American Landscapes (1983), Transatlantic Manners (1990), William Wells Brown’s Clotel (2006), and A History of the English Language in 100 Places (2013). He is a trustee of the English Project.
Further Information & a Call to Action!
Fascinated by this podcast? Then why not check some other videos and talks by the English Project, including their 2020 Heritage Open Days lecture - The English Language in Hampshire and in Yorkshire.
If punctuation is more your thing then you might want to read The English Project’s History of English Punctuation! The mission of the English Project is to explore and explain the English language in order to educate and entertain the English speaker, and 2015 was the year of punctuation for the Project because 6 February 2015 was the 500th anniversary of the death of Aldus Manutius. Aldus was a Venetian printer who shaped the comma, invented the semicolon and created italic font.
If you liked this episode, please share it with your friends and follow us on social media.
Bring back our buses! The story of King Alfred Buses
Join us as we talk to James Freeman, and discover the fascinating story behind the Friends of King Alfred Buses, as well as more on the buses and the King Alfred Bus Company.
Join James Freeman and Cathy Booth in this fascinating podcast. James eagerly shares his love of the King Alfred buses. This service, set up by the Chisnell family in the 1900’s, was unique to Winchester. James has spent a lifetime trying to bring back the buses from all over the world to their final stop. Each bus has a story and James brings that to life in this episode. He also discusses traffic, womens’ role in buses and the changing face of this well-loved transport.
Great news!
On Saturday 19th September between 10am and 4pm there is a wonderful opportunity to see part of the collection of King Alfred historic buses. Vintage buses formerly operated by King Alfred Motor Services in and around Winchester will be on display in the centre of Winchester (Cattle Market car park off Worthy Lane). These can rarely be seen together in one place at the same time. There will be the opportunity to photograph them and to learn more of their history. More details here
If you liked this episode, please share it with your friends and don’t forget to tell them about the display on Saturday 19th September too!
James Freeman
In September 1974, james was as a bus conductor with the successors to King Alfred in Winchester, Hants & Dorset. He went on to make my career as a Senior Management Trainee with the National Bus Company from 1978. Over the years, having formed the Friends of King Alfred Buses in 1985, the society has collected all the known remaining King Alfred exiles. FOKAB have 14 buses in all. FoKAB has 250 members, and its Joint Presidents are Messrs Robert & Richard Chisnell - cousins and grandsons of the founder, Robert Chisnell Senior.
Picrured: James Freeman (left) with another FoKAB member and volunteer, John Beer, with one of our King Alfred coaches
Photo Credit: FoKAB Collection
Can you help?
Sunday 3rd of May should have been FOKAB’s major event for 2020, the original King Alfred’s Buses running day, but the current coronavirus emergency meant we very reluctantly had to cancel it, in common with most similar events throughout the UK. Whilst their financial situation is not dire, nevertheless this meant they lost the significant income they would normally gain from sales.
Meanwhile, any donations to help them get through this difficult time would be most welcome. For only £20 a year you can become a Friend of King Alfred Buses!
As if the impact of COVID-19 were not enough, they learnt in early May that one of the sites at which our vehicles are currently kept will not be available to them next year. The search for a new home for around 10 vintage buses and coaches is on! If anyone knows of suitable premises offering covered accommodation within reasonable driving distance of Winchester they should be delighted to hear from you.
To offer your help, become a member and/or for further information about King Alfred’s Buses, please visit: www.kingalfredbuses.org.uk
Photo Credits & Descriptions
Left picture - James in the cab and conductor Dave Shawyer on the same bus (595) PHOTO: FoKAB Collection
Middle picture - a 1964 AEC Renown double-decker (595) in Winnall on one of our running Days - 1/1/20 - when the public get to ride for free! PHOTO: Stephen Bigley
Right picture - two buses: on the left - FoKAB member Ruth Andrews led the team that restored the bus on the left (708) from a total wreck found in a field in Ireland to pristine condition between about 2003 and 2012. This is the Leyland Olympic (no 708) dating from 1950. The coach next to it is the Albion Victor. It dates form 1935 and the seats inside date form the mid-20s. On a WOW day a few years ago... PHOTO: FoKAB Collection
James’s Extended Biography
After school and before going to Southampton University to read history, my first job, 45 years ago, in September 1974, was as a bus conductor with the successors to King Alfred in Winchester, Hants & Dorset. In just six months I learned a whole lot more - most importantly that the management was remote and out of touch - which made me decide there and then that I would take a different approach, when it was my turn! I went on to make my career as a Senior Management Trainee with the National Bus Company from 1978 and I have moved around the country taking increasingly senior jobs more or less ever since. I am now 64.
It was during my first management stint, in South Wales, that I found my first King Alfred bus in exile. That was 39 years ago, in 1981. I bought the bus and managed to persuade lots of people to help me put it in order and return it to work in Winchester. Its first appearance carrying passengers was in March 1983 - when it featured in the first of what became annual "running days" when the public could turn the clock back and ride on a King Alfred bus, starting from the time-honoured terminal under the watchful eye of the King himself, standing in the Broadway. Over the years, having formed the Friends of King Alfred Buses in 1985, we have collected all the known remaining King Alfred exiles from across the world - two came back from the USA, another from Ireland. We have 14 buses in all. Each one has a story attached to it. Many have involved comprehensive rescue and rebuild jobs, taking many years. There is now just one left to finish. FoKAB has 250 members, and its Joint Presidents are, of course, Messrs Robert & Richard Chisnell - cousins and grandsons of the founder, Robert Chisnell Senior.
Hidden Pages & Hidden Nature: A Book of Hours Revealed
Join Sophie Hacker as she speaks with Dr Sarah Griffin and Revd Canon Dr Roland Riem about a Book of Hours.
Join Sophie Hacker as she speaks with Dr Sarah Griffin and Revd Canon Dr Roland Riem about a Book of Hours. The three explore the Christian Book of Prayers, its shifting purpose throughout history, and how the intricate and colourful pages were made. They also discuss the meaning of the strange religious art: is a chicken with a dragon’s body simply that, or did the artists have something deeper in mind?
Thank you again to Winchester College, the main sponsor for Winchester Heritage Open Days in 2020, for supporting us with this podcast and also to Communication Generation for recording it for us. Photographs of the Book of Hours are shown here with the kind permission of the Warden and Scholars of Winchester College. This book is an explosion of colour, art, and history that tells a story beginning in the 15th century.
Dr Sarah Griffin
Dr Sarah Griffin is Assistant Curator at Winchester College. Her PhD looked at diagrams,manuscripts, and time-keeping in the Middle Ages, though she is interested in all forms of medieval art, science and technology. She has also studied the use of digital tools in museums and for object-based teaching.
Sarah has been working with a group of Winchester’s students on an exhibition that looks at Sir Thomas Browne and science in the 17th century.
Revd Canon Dr Roland Riem
Roland Riem is Vice-Dean at Winchester Cathedral. He was in charge of a four-year project based in Oxford to conserve the 12th Century Winchester Bible, which reveals how ancient manuscripts were designed, gilded and painted. This now forms part of the Cathedral’s new Kings & Scribes exhibition, including its Saxon and Norman foundations and a facsimile of the mortal remains of Queen Emma, great aunt of the Conqueror.
Sophie Hacker
Sophie Hacker specialises in Church Art, including stained glass windows, vestments and re-ordering liturgical space. She is a trustee of Art and Christianity, the UK's leading organisation in the field of visual art and religion, and a Visiting Scholar at Sarum College in Salisbury Cathedral Close. Since 2006 she has been Arts and Exhibitions Consultant for Winchester Cathedral. Current projects include a large stained glass window for Romsey Abbey to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, a new altar frontal for Winchester Cathedral, and a chapel Cross for the official residence of the Bishop of London.
Further Information:
If you want to learn more about the Exhibition Sarah is talking about, click here.
For more information about the Kings & Scribes Exhibit at Winchester Cathedral, click here.
For more information about the organisation Art and Christianity, click here.
If you are curious about the Fellow’s 'Library, more information can be found here.
More information about this illuminated Book of Hours can be found in the online collection of Winchester College.
If you liked this episode, please share it with your friends and follow us on social media.
Recording the podcast at Winchester College
Party like it's 1945: How did Hampshire celebrate the end of WW2?
Join Emma and us as she guides us through recipes, cake faking and Churchill’s call for more beer!
Emma Cornell Stoffer, Hampshire’s own doorstep social historian, brings to life the excitement of the time. She guides us through recipes, cake faking, Churchill’s call for more beer, glass shortages, fancy-dress mayors, police turning a blind eye and how housewives managed, on rations, to prepare for this monumental party. It was no trifling matter.
Emma Cornell Stoffer
Emma is a social historian and broadcaster based in Hampshire. She appears regularly on British television and radio and her numerous broadcast credits include: BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Discovery UK and That’s Solent TV. Emma also organizes heritage events including immersive food history experiences ranging from pop-up suffragette tea-rooms to wartime street parties.
Further Information & a Call to Action!
Love this podcast then why not follow Emma on Twitter for more fabulous stories and history here, and check out her 20th Century Crush Blog here.
Watch Tony Robinson’s VE Day: Minute by Minute (Discovery Channel/Woodcut Media). Major documentary, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of V.E. Day, 8th May, 1945. (Emma was the Featured Contributor/Historical Consultant/Food Historian for Drama Reconstructions, May, 2020)