We were fortunate at our January meeting that Maureen Hambrecht was able to stand in for our indisposed advertised speaker and give a very entertaining account of the activities of Church Courts held in York. Using records kept at the Borthwick Institute, Maureen selected examples of cases dealing with slander, immorality and fraud – none involving people in the immediate locality!

Garry Swann’s comprehensively illustrated presentation on the history of Doncaster Royal Infirmary was thoroughly enjoyed as he described some of the early treatments, leading personalities in providing health care in Doncaster in the past and all the varied fund raising projects and gifts which led to the building of a hospital first in Wood Street then on the present site. The raffle proceeds at this meeting were donated to help with the funding of Liz Frankland’s Braille computer.

This was a most successful day with many people coming to see the refurbished Parish Room with our exhibition about the work generated by the HLF Project Tickhill Then Now and for the Future and also bringing material for us to copy. Thanks to everyone who helped on the day and who spent time planning it. Congratulations too to those who oversaw the fund raising and refurbishment process to make the late medieval Parish Room an accessible and comfortable venue.

Following the interest shown in old copies of Parish Magazines on display at the Archive stand during the Open Day, we have published Life in Late Victorian Tickhill, based on extracts from the Parish Magazines. This is the fourth in our series of Occasional Papers and is on sale at our meetings and also at KSM, price £1.50.

Members who attended the January meeting were able to sign up for one of two visits to Hesley in January and February arranged thanks to John Cowie.

Keep in touch with the Society by checking our website. You will find photographs of the Open Day in the Gallery section and accounts by pupils from the two local primary schools of how they spent last Christmas. If you missed the talks, check the website for summaries of the presentations.

18 June 2008 An evening tour of Braithwell Church, 7 p.m. start

This visit needs to be pre-booked at our April or May meeting. There is a charge of £1 per person payable on booking (non-refundable). Tickets will be issued. This money will be given as a donation to the Church. Refreshments will be served for a small additional donation.

10 July 2008 Haxey and Westwoodside Heritage Society has invited us to their meeting, starting at 7.30 p.m. in Westwoodside Village Hall, when the presentation by Roy Young is The Age of Elegance. You will also need to pre-book this visit at the April or May meeting and obtain a ticket, price £5, to cover transport costs. A coach will collect people from the car park on St Mary’s Road at 6.30 p.m. and leave Westwoodside at 9.15 p.m.