Welcome to the web site of the Biddulph and District Genealogy and Historical Society. The aim of the Society is to promote genealogy and local history particularly pertaining to the Biddulph area.
This will be achieved by:
- undertaking research and publishing wherever possible
- purchasing resources that may become available or required by the society
- having a regular programme of speakers
Announcements and Information:
The November meeting of the Society was held on the 21st and forty eight members and guests braved atrocious weather to attend. They were there to hear Caroline Speirs talk about the Second World War Air Transport Auxiliary Women Pilots and the life in the ATA of her mother Rita Baines. The meeting began with Professor Ray Johnson showing a short film about the deployment of women into numerous war related jobs in the Staffordshire area in munitions, transport and farming which allowed more men to be released to fight. Caroline Speirs then gave a history of the ATA which included a look at its formation and the type of ladies that applied. It also included the involvement of her mother, her training and missions, before the film “Flying the Dream” was shown. Written by Caroline Speirs, using documents left by her mother, this Ray Johnson film gives an account of Rita Baines life and work for the ATA during the Second World War. Mr. Michael Turnock thanked the audience for attending and Christine and Ray for an enthralling evening of images and information.
1. The Society Newsletter The December 2022 Newsletter should be arriving in the Inbox’s of the members of the Society in the next few days. The newsletter will now be produced three times a year and will be delivered to the inbox’s of members by eMail. Members are welcome to submit articles for inclusion in the newsletter or act as editor for an edition. The production team of Elaine Heathcote, Madelaine Lovatt and Kath Walton have been adding new members to the mailing list at the start of the last few meetings. If you haven't received a copy by email then when you renew your Society membership at March’s AGM, if possible, add an email where your copy should be sent. Remember, all the Society’s Newsletters are available to read and download from the Newsletter page.
2. New Publication by the Knotty Ramblers “Railways and Canals in the Churnet Valley.”
BDGHS Committee Member Gerald Worland writes: “As with previous publications from Allan Baker and Mike Fell this book is extremely well researched, structured and presented. On this occasion Barry Knapper has climbed aboard to form “The Knotty Ramblers”, named after the British Rail Special which, in 1972, visited former North Staffordshire Railway lines including the Churnet Valley. The handy-sized volume is complemented by the very professional design and layout.”
You can read and print a copy of Gerald Worland's excellent review of the book by clicking the link here.
3. The Society Newsletter The December 2022 Newsletter should be arriving in the Inbox’s of the members of the Society in the next few days. The newsletter will now be produced three times a year and will be delivered to the inbox’s of members by eMail. Members are welcome to submit articles for inclusion in the newsletter or act as editor for an edition. The production team of Elaine Heathcote, Madelaine Lovatt and Kath Walton have been adding new members to the mailing list at the start of the last few meetings. If you haven't received a copy by email then when you renew your Society membership at March’s AGM, if possible, add an email where your copy should be sent. Remember, all the Society’s Newsletters are available to read and download from the Newsletter page.
4. Membership Forms The Committee of the Society has decided that to aid the communication of information to the members a Membership Form should be completed by all the members. This will be stored in a paper form and only email addresses will be used to send notices, updates and the newsletter to our members.
You can read and print a copy of the Membership Form and then bring it to the next meeting by clicking the link here.
5. Contact Names:
Chairperson - Mr. Roland Machin
You can ask Elaine any questions about the BDGHS. However, if you have a genealogy or a family history question then you can Ask the Reverend Hadfield and a member of the Society will contact you, as soon as possible.
If you're a regular visitor you may wish to check the Site News page which not only lists the latest changes but also tells you how you can be notified by email of future changes.
