The Art and Science of the Lunar Society (Lecture by Dr Sally Hoban) (Birmingham branch)

The Lunar Society of Birmingham members’ legacy of experimentation in the late 18th and early 19th centuries helped give us the modern industrial world we know today. Dr Sally Hoban’s lecture explores some familiar names but also discusses the virtually unknown women connected with the Lunar Circle, including early photographer Elizabeth Stockdale Wilkinson (1799 – 1871) and the poet Anna Seward (1747 – 1809). This lecture is organised by Birmingham Evening DFAS - non-members pay £10 on the door. Gallery opens at 6.00 pm for a glass of white wine or soft drink with private viewing of the Barber's outstanding collection of art until 7.00 pm when the lecture starts.

Location: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham B15 2TS, Birmingham.

Time and date: 1900, 19th November 2015. 

Organiser: Lesley Peat. 

Archaeology and the History of Birmingham (A talk and walk) (Birmingham branch)

There are a range of activities in Birmingham as part of Heritage Week, it has been difficult to pick which ones to attend. However it would be a shame to pass up the opportunity to explore some of the archaeology of Birmingham. Sadly the talk and tour are on a Tuesday afternoon which I know is not ideal for everyone, however if you are free and interested in coming along please do.

The talk begins at 1pm at the John Lee Theatre at the Birmingham and Midland Institute. The walk will follow at 2:30pm. The walk will last for about one and a half hours and cover about two miles. It will finish back at the Birmingham and Midland Institute, but there is an opportunity to leave at the Bullring for travel convenience.

The event is free of charge.

Details can be seen here:
https://heritageweek.wordpress.com/2015/08/26/archaeology-and-the-history-of-birmingham/

Location:  Birmingham and Midland Institute, Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS, Birmingham.

Time and date: 1300, Tuesday 15th September 2015.

Organiser: Emma Roberts.  

Hidden Spaces (Birmingham Heritage) (Birmingham branch)

I think we have come up with a great compromise that allows us to see a good number of events that Birmingham Heritage Weekend has to offer, whilst sadly making a few sacrifices, because we cannot see everything.

The event will be for the whole Saturday (10:00-16:30) and we'll try and see as much of the events below as we can. If you cannot make the whole event but want to try to meet the group up in the afternoon. I will keep people updated on the comment - I'll tell you where the group is and what we're up to. I will give my mobile number before the event so you can meet up with us.

09:45 - Meetup outside the Municipal Bank on Broad Street - I am advising the slightly earlier time to allow everyone to get there so we can start when the event opens at 10.

10:00 Birmingham Municipal Bank on Broad Street 

11:00 (approx.) after that we'll head to Big Brum in the Council Houses.

12:30 (approx.) following that we'll head to Cuzon Street Train Station

2:00 (approx.) Birmingham Hippodrome or Birmingham Museums Collections Centre Open Day - whichever proves more popular.

I would advise maybe packing a drink and some snacks to keep you going throughout the day. We could possibly stop at a pub at the end of the events and get a drink, a much needed sit down and some food. People can break away from the group for lunch if they would prefer as well.  

 

Location:  Birmingham Municipal Bank, Broad Street, B1 2JZ, Birmingham.

 

Time and date: 0945, Saturday 12th September 2015.  

Organiser: Emma Roberts.

History Social Afternoon (Birmingham branch)

We thought it would be a good idea to have a bit of a social afternoon, but to keep the history theme going we picked a historic pub; The Old Joint Stock.

This pub was originally designed as a library and was built in 1862. Later reincarnations of the building saw in become a bank, first as the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank and later as Lloyd's Bank. Today it retains some of the original features in what is now a very beautiful and atmospheric pub. As the Birmingham History Network moves forward into a new chapter with a new committee organising events we thought it would be a good idea to talk to our members and find out what events you would like to see from this group.

Have you got any suggestions of places you have always wanted to visit? Been somewhere fantastic and want to share it with others? It doesn't have to be Birmingham based and we are open to all suggestions!

In addition, would you like to see other events from the group? Lectures? Discussions over a pint? Perhaps you would like to visit archives and research some local documents about Birmingham? The committee would love to hear your suggestions so please bring them with you (and any leaflets if you've collected any).

Location: The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham.

Time and date: Saturday 5th September, 1500.

Organisers: Lars Kabel and Emma Roberts. 

New leadership team (Birmingham branch)

As many of you are aware, I recently asked for volunteers to take over the Birmingham History Network as I prepare to depart from England for Russia. I am very happy to report that quite a few volunteers came forward. Given that several people were willing to give their time and effort to run the group, it was decided to establish a new committee structure that would allow each of them to contribute. While I will remain a member of the committee until I leave the UK, I will no longer be taking an active role in the management of this particular branch of the History Network.

I would therefore ask you to welcome and congratulate our new leadership team: Emma, Lars, and Lesley. I am confident that they will not only maintain our present success but also expand our activities in new and exciting directions. They are eager to meet with you all and discuss the future of the group, so please keep your eyes peeled for a social meet-and-greet event in the next few weeks. They are open to all suggestions and recommendations about the group, so please feel free to message them with your ideas.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Claire Hackwood, the former co-organiser, for her support and contributions to the group. I am sure you will all join me in wishing her and her husband the best of luck in their new home.

Finally, I would like to thank you all for supporting the Birmingham History Network and for coming to our events. It has been an immense pleasure to see the enthusiasm and interest that the group has garnered over the last half a year and I have no doubt that our new committee will serve us well. Please be on the look out for the new events that will shortly be on offer.

With sincerest regards,

James

German history in images and artefacts (Museum tour, Berlin branch)

Let's join the public tour in the German historical museum, which gives a good overview of this awesome museum.

The tours leads through the various epochs of German history chronologically, from the Middle Ages on up to the signing of the Two Plus Four Agreement on 3 October 1990. (More details on the DHM website).

This is not a dedicated tour for our group, so we meetup in front of the museum and then join the public event. I will post details about the meeting point later on.

For this tour you have to pay the general museum admission plus 4 Euros for the tour.

I limit the spots to twenty, since I do not think that they can handle too many people in such a tour (and there will still be other people). So please only RVSP "yes" if you are really sure you can make it.

Place: Deutshces Historisches Museum, Unter den Linten 2, Berlin.

Time and date: 1245, Saturday 29th August 2015. 

Birmingham events held in July/August 2015

Pubs, Priests, and Prostitutes: a walking tour of Lichfield

On 19 June 2015, members of the Birmingham History Network partook in a walking tour of Lichfield. This tour was conducted by a volunteer guide from the Lichfield District Tourist Association. 18 members attended and positive reviews were received.

Selly Manor tour

On 9th August 2015, members of the Birmingham History Network experienced a guided tour of Selly Manor, a renovated fourteenth-century country manor now located in Bournville. The tour was conducted by an employee of Birmingham Heritage. 13 members attended and positive reviews were received.