News

October 2025

The History of Chester's Water Supply & the River Dee

A Historical Journey down the River Dee and the related water works

On Wednesday, 15th October, Tim Ackerley, treated us to an illustrated journey along the River Dee, telling how it has provided our drinking water of varying quality over the centuries. The historical origins for an organised water supply started with the Romans, then the first water works in the 16th Century and the later separate Wrexham and Chester Waterworks companies until amalgamated into the Dee Valley Water Company that is now finally part of Severn-Trent.  This interesting and well-received talk was based on his years working in the water industry, with roles as Water Treatment manager for Dee Valley Water and prior to that, Technical Services Manager for Chester Waterworks. 

September 2025

Dukes and Dragons

An exhibition of the history and architecture of St Mary's Church and Pulford Castle

As part of the nation-wide week of Heritage Open Days, St Mary's Church, Pulford, put on an exhibition, "Dukes and Dragons", on Saturday, 20th September, enabling visitors to explore the local history and architecture.  A wealth of information was provided on the Dukes of Westminster and their links to Pulford, the history and architecture of the church, the history of the castle and its role in defending the border against the Welsh, and the architecture of the village. There was also a trail around the church for children to search for Dewi and his friends. 

Once visitors had their fill of local heritage, refreshments were provided in the Village Hall.

More Discoveries in Old English

An introduction to Old English poetry, including Beowulf.

On Wednesday 17th September, James Harvey, one of our own members, gave a follow-up to his talk last year introducing Old English.  This time he concentrated on the literature of the period, focusing in particular on the poetry that was consistently written in the alliterative style inherited from old Germanic tradition.  The main work is the epic poem, Beowulf, that tells the story of the hero who saves the Danish court from two monsters, Grendel and his mother, and then goes on to rule his own people, the Geats, in southern Sweden, for fifty years before being mortally wounded when killing a marauding dragon. James explored some of the main themes of the work, showing how it is set in the pagan world of 5th century Scandinavia, though probably written by a Christian poet in the 8th century.  He then introduced some of the shorter poems, including an example from each of the different genres: historic, elegy, wisdom and religious.  He finished by challenging the audience to solve two of the many surviving Anglo-Saxon riddles.

June 2025

The Unique Relationship between the Welsh and Native Patagonians

The difficulties faced by the original and subsequent Welsh settlers in Argentina.

On Wednesday 18th June, Graham Edwards, a most engaging speaker, delivered a fascinating talk on ‘The Unique Relationship between the Welsh and Native Patagonians’. In reminding his audience of features of his first talk last year he spoke of the original migration of 153 Welsh people on board the clipper Mimosa crossing the Atlantic to South America in 1865, a journey of some two months. The reason for this migration was to preserve the Welsh culture and language, that was under threat in Wales from the English influence.

The settlers found conditions in Patagonia were not friendly or inviting, with barren land, a shortage of food and timber to build homes. The new arrivals settled in the Chubut River Valley (renamed Afon Camwy, meaning 'twisting river', by the migrants) which flooded occasionally.

In 1875 the Argentinian Government granted the Welsh settlers official title to the land encouraging more settlers, particularly from the South Wales coal fields that were undergoing severe depression. With this new influx of settlers, plans for a major irrigation scheme took place. At this time the Argentinian Government was actively encouraging European immigration to populate the region.

Now, there are some 50,000 Argentinians of Welsh descent of whom approximately 5,000 are Welsh speakers.

May 2025

South Bank History Fair

Local History Groups from south of the River Dee showcase the history of their area.

On 24th May, the local history groups from south of the River Dee in Chester took part in the Launch Day of the Chester Heritage Festival. The South Bank History Fair was held in the Picturehouse Cinema in Chester with each of the seven groups (Curzon Park, Dodleston, Handbridge, Hough Green, Lache & Westminster, Pulford & Poulton, Saltney & Saltney Ferry) displaying the history of their communities by showcasing five items of interest.

Pulford & Poulton's display showed images and text about: the Poulton Archaeological Dig, with exhibits kindly lent by the Poulton Research Project; Pulford Motte & Bailey Castle; the Eaton Light Railway; RAF Poulton; and the work of the architect John Douglas. There was much interest shown by members of the public, as they walked through the cinema, wanting to know more about the topics on display.

The items from the Dig included: Iron Age pottery fragments from a salt vessel; a sawn and worked red deer antler; the base of a Roman lamp; and a small Medieval jug from the 13th/14th centuries. Supported by volunteers from the Dig, members of the history group were kept busy answering visitors' questions as they discovered aspects of our history they knew nothing about.  To round off a long day, the stalls were visited by the newly invested Lord Mayor of Chester, Clly Sherin Akhtar.

The Miller's Tale

AGM followed by talk on the history and workings of Stretton Watermill.

The group's Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Wednesday, 21st May.  The Chairman, Ben John, gave his report on the year's activities and the group's accounts were approved.  The old committee were re-elected together with a new secretary filling the position that has been vacant for eighteen months.

Following the AGM, Tom Jones, who has been a Chester Guide for many years, gave a talk on Stretton Watermill, where he was a volunteer miller for several years.  Entitled "The Miller's Tale" he described both the history and workings of the mill.  Although records show that a mill existed on this site as early as the mid 14th century, the oldest surviving structure dates from 1630.  He explained why there are two water wheels, one at each end of the mill, and the role it played in the rural community.  He also described the working practices of the millers and what he had learnt about the last miller from his son. The mill finally ceased operation in 1959 and is now a 'working' museum. 

Victory in Europe Day Commemoration

Pulford & Poulton commemorate VE Day 80.

Poulton and Pulford Parish Council organised a village contribution lunch in Pulford Village Hall on Monday 5th May to mark the VE Day 80 commemoration.  Over 50 people attended, bringing their own food which was shared ensuring there was plenty to eat for everyone.  The History Group provided a display describing the first VE Day celebrations, the role of RAF Poulton and the war-time experience of local people.  Also on display were items recovered from the German bomber that crashed on Brookside farmland in 1941, as described in the Military Section of the Archive.

April 2025

School History Competition Prize-Giving

The Second Year of Sponsoring the School History Competition

A history competition was held for the second year running at Eccleston C of E Primary School, sponsored by the Pulford & Poulton History Group. There were 14 entries in three age groups (under-six, six to under-eight and eight-and-over) in the categories of Writing, Art and Poetry. The prize-giving was held with much excitement in front of the whole school on 23rd April with several parents in attendance. Due to the quality of the entries, the panel of judges decided to award seven first prizes of a £25 book token with everyone else receiving a runner's-up prize of a £10 book token.

Cotton - Liverpool and Lancashire

The history of the cotton industry and the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester

On Wednesday, 16th April, David Hearn returned to Pulford and Poulton to give a talk on the cotton industry. At one time over one million people in Britain were directly involved in the cotton business and most of these were in Lancashire which, of course, included Liverpool. The story of cotton through the eyes of Liverpool, Manchester and the rest of Lancashire is as fascinating as it is disturbing on several levels.

March 2025

The Life and Love of Fanny Myddleton-Biddulph of Chirk Castle

The life of one the 19th century châtelaines of Chirk Castle.

Jill Burton retired as Education Officer from Chirk Castle and Erddig some years ago. She continues to volunteer and research, especially into the lives and work of the servants.  On Wednesday 19th March she gave an illuminating talk based on her research into one of the former mistresses of Chirk Castle.

The story began with the young Charles Darwin, son of Dr. Robert Darwin, the doctor looking after the wealthy in and around Shrewsbury.   Charles was grieving after the death of his mother, Susannah Wedgewood, and he spent much of his time at the home of his friend, William Mostyn-Owen, whose unorthodox sister, Frances (Fanny),  he grew very fond of as they rode together and hunted for strawberries and beetles.  They might well have got married but then Charles went on his famous voyage on the Beagle. Fanny could not wait five years and finally married Robert Myddleton-Biddulph, heir to Chirk Castle.  When her mother-in-law died Fanny was able  to manage the upgrading of the castle with the help of Pugin, famous for the Gothic Revival style of architecture and his design of the Palace of Westminster.

Fanny and Charles remained fond of each other and continued to correspond and Jill illustrated her talk by quoting from many of the letters that still exist.

February 2025

Fossil Forest  - Brymbo

Remains of a forest from over 300 million years ago.

On Wednesday 19th February Dr. Tim Astrop, the palaeontologist on the 'Stori Brymbo' project, gave a fascinating talk on the work currently being done to uncover the fossil forest at Brymbo near Wrexham.  It is a significant area of Early Carboniferous fossils, and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, located on the former site of iron and steel works.  A building to protect, preserve and display the excavation work has just been completed and will be open to the public at Easter.

School History Competition

Competition launched after success of last year's competition

Following the success of last year's competition at Eccleston Primary School, sponsored by the history group (see May 2024), competitions have been launched at both Eccleston and Dodleston Primary Schools, the latter sponsored by Dodlestion Local History Group.  We look forward to seeing the results in May.

Annual Quiz and Buffet

An successful evening with excellent company and food

On Wednesday 15th January 35 members and friends enjoyed a relaxed evening together with a tasty buffet provided by Kate Fairhurst and her team, a challenging quiz created and run by Peter Gosmore and a raffle with generous prizes which helped towards our funds.