Thank you to all who joined us for our February meeting on Monday, where we were joined by Martin Heath who took us on a journey through the BBC from approximately 1967 to the present day. It was a trip down memory lane for many with clips from some old favourites such as Morecambe and Wise and John Craven’s Newsround as well as an opportunity to reflect on the many innovative things the BBC has done over time to deliver on its remit to “provide impartial, high quality and distinctive output that informs, educates and entertains” [BBC Charter].
So, we learned about regionalised and world-wide broadcasting, the development of children’s and educational broadcasting including the ground breaking Open University, developing technologies including Ceefax, the BBC Iplayer and website, the launch of East Enders as well as the varied crises the BBC has and continues to face in this changing world of streamed services.
And whilst he may not have referred to the Woodentops specifically, I felt I had to include this little bit of nostalgia for past and simpler times!
Our next meeting will be at 7.30pm on March 30th when Andy Chapman, who has delivered several talks to the group, will be talking to us about what it was like to live in Northampton before the Great Fire of September 1675. All too often Northampton is dismissed as a Midlands town with a history of shoe and boot making, without due recognition that in medieval times it was a highly important city with its castle which was frequently used as a royal residence, with churches, a university and was a key centre for trade and politics. Do come along to find out more and spread the word to others!
John Speed’s map of Northampton published 1610
History Themed Activities in our area: You may be interested in the following:
- Northampton Museum and Art Gallery: Carboniferous Monsters Exhibition: see below.
- Daventry Museum: Sport and Leisure exhibition covering local legends to community favourites. Did you know that Harold Saxon Snell, a Northampton cricketer and local solicitor lived in our village? The exhibition runs until 12th June 2026.
- British Science Week event: 7th March at Daventry Museum – for families and children.
Finally, why not GET DIGGING? Ever found something of note in your garden? On 22nd May, Eleanor Cox, Northamptonshire Finds Liaison Officer will be at the Daventry Museum inspecting and recording your finds between 10.30am-1.30pm, for timed consultation slots. Advance booking needed. For more details visit the Daventry Museum website: https://daventrymuseum.org.uk . Time Team Welton could start here!
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