What's New -

Perhaps something of a paradox on a History site, but here we intend to keep you informed of all the new information as we add it

At the moment the site has areas which are still under construction - although we expect that these will be released gradually as research is completed.

Added in April 2008

• Added an account by Mollie Wade of Comfy Buses that was being operated by Arthur Howe and Louis Powney by the early 1930s.

• Provided an overview of the development of Industry in Beeston and re-organised the topic headings which will lead to detailed accounts of specific local industries. Also included an analysis of Occupations in Beeston in 1851 - which is intended to be the first of many demographic analyses from the author's comprehensive Beeston database.

Added in March 2008 (Sorry for the break - we have been away finding some sun)

• Added another school group photograph for Church Street School and four for Nether Street School to Beeston Schools page. Four of these are from a collection of documents believed to have been owned by Harold Bernard Garratt (see story in the Beeston Blog)

• Added a Miscellany Section which will be used mainly to feature ready-made, Beeston-related contributions from others. This can be accessed from any of the horizontal menu bars throughout the site. To start it off, we have included two excellent contributions from Trish Symonds from Australia.

Added in January 2008

• The promised significant additions to the story of Samuel Theodore Bunning and Beeston Brewery are now incorporated - included links to his autobiographical notes and other material. A large amount of additional genealogical material will be released shortly.

Added in December 2007

• Significant additions to the story of Samuel Theodore Bunning and Beeston Brewery. Added a link to a list of licenced premises owned by Beeston Brewery. The Mason/Bunning genealogy has also been updated. Significant new Bunning material was discovered towards the end of the month and is being incorporated as December ends; it will be published very early in January.

• Notes and images from the early days of Beeston Fire Brigade and its station at the top of Stoney Street have now been added. Further contributions are invited.

• Additional narrative on the origins of the Hudston family - in particular, the family of Thomas Hudston. More about the Hudston family is coming in from members of this family around the world all the time and will be appear when it has been fully researched.

• Names have been added to the Church Street School phototographs for c1910 and c1914

Added in November 2007

• Added the remarkable story of Samuel Theodore Bunning and Beeston Brewery.To support this, improved the navigation in the Pubs and Inns section.

• More added to the Beeston Burial Register transcript. Added 1856 and 1857. Hope to add more shortly.

Added in October 2007

• Added a gallery of Church Street School phototographs to Beeston Schools page

• Made a start transcribing more of the Beeston Burial Register. Added 1855. Had hoped to more and expect to do so during the coming month.

• Encouraged by Wayne Hayes, its present Manager, added the story of the Queens Hotel, Beeston to the Inns and Pubs section. A full genealogy of the Mason & Bunning families, has also been added.

Added in September 2007

• Added a Beeston Blog to enable and encourage discussion on current queries and topics under development. This can be accessed from any of the horizontal menu bars throughout the site. It opens in a new window which can be closed to return to the previous position within the main site.

Added in August 2007

• A transcription of the 1927 History of the Parish Church of Beeston by G. W. Deverill.

• An outline of the career of Sir Neil Cossons and his early life in Beeston, marking his recent retirement from the Chairmanship of English Heritage.

• Added links to excellent histories of two Beeston schools written by Wallace Mason and published on the BBC h2g2 site. This page also includes a class photograph from Church Street School, possibly from the 1930s..

Added in July 2007 (apologies for the time since the last item - but we do have a lot that is almost ready!)

We are very pleased to be able to include all the text and illustrations of "The Pollards of Beeston" which tells the story of four generations of that family, lace makers in Beeston, and their factory, Swiss Mills. In releasing this important story in this way, it is hoped that it will assist members of a wider audience of family and local historians to better understand their own families and their community.

Added in March 2007

• Photographs taken at the re-dedication of Beeston's Boar War Memorial with details of the names of those remembered on it.

Added in December 2006

• Additional narrative on the origins of the Hudston family - in particular, the family of Revd John Hudston. Much more on the various branches of this family to follow.

Added in November 2006

• 'Black & Gold - the story of 2nd Beeston Sea Scouts, 1928 - 1988. Written by David Hallam, originally for the Group's 60th Anniversary in 1988 and now republished here with many photographs added, in tribute to Edward Smedley who died on October 6th 2006. Edward was a founder member of the troop in 1928, went on to serve as a scouter and remained a stalwart supporter of the Group all his life.

Added in October 2006

• The story of the Dobson Family. This is the first in a series of accounts of families who left Beeston for a life elsewhere in the world.

Added in September 2006

• A number of additional Beeston sources on the References page.

Added in July 2006

• First announcement of the publishing of the booklet "Pollards of Beeston"
• Over 50 more photographs of the memorials on the Churchyard pages.

Added in June 2006

• A genealogy of family of John Clifford, Baptist Minister & Social Reformer

Added in May 2006

• A narrative of the life of Dr John Clifford, 1836-1923, Baptist Minister and social reformer, particularly education provision. Although born in Sawley, Derbyshire, he came to Beeston as a small child and was greatly influenced by his experiences in Beeston lace factories and the Baptist community there.

Added in April 2006

• 10 more years (1845-1854) added to Burial Register transcription. The transcription now includes 20 years (1835-1854) and now has improved navigation and has been split into pages of 5 years each to enhance performance.
• All links from the Churchyard Memorial pages to the appropriate page of the Burial Register transcription are now in place. Many, of course, are linked to years that are still to be transcribed.

Added in March 2006 (apologies for the delay - but there is quite a lot now almost ready!)

• A full write-up of the later Oldrini generations with an updated genealogy
• More on William Bower, publican at the Boat & Horses - thanks to input from Daryl Bower.
• Additions to the list of Beeston Publicans, etc from 18th Century to 1920

Added in December 2005

• An article on Beeston Pub Checks by Grenville Chamberlain
• Corrections to the Dix Family story following further research
• List of Beeston Publicans, etc from 18th Century to 1920

Added in November 2005 :

• The completed narrative page on the Dix Family
• An overview of Beeston Pubs and a start of individual pubs

Added in October 2005 :

• New Topics menu for Beeston landmarks
• Beeston Smithy feature added to Landmarks menu
• A genealogy of William Dix, Beeston's blacksmith
• Nearly 30 more memorial photographs in the Churchyard pages.

Added in September 2005 :

• A transcript of Divine Mercy Exemplified by Rev John Hudston.
• Completion of the transcription of the text of Beeston Then and Now by Robert Mellors. This had been previously left incomplete. Inclusion of the original illustrations will follow.
• Narrative on the origins of the Hudston family and the Beeston Hudstons. Much more to follow.
• Additional memorial photographs in the Churchyard pages.

Added Earlier in 2005 :

• A genealogy of the Thornhill family in Beeston with extensive narrative.
• A full genealogy of the Harwood, Styling, Nutt, etc families with family narrative and commentary on the Elizabeth Nutt Harwood diary to coincide with the publication of the diary transcript by Notts County Council.
• A genealogy of the Hudston family of Beeston, etc.
• Notes on the Oldrini family with a genealogy
• Notes on the life of William F Wallett, "The Queen's Jester"

We have a lifetime of research to add and it is going to take years to add it all - and we are still gathering information - so keep calling back to see what is "new" !

© David Hallam - 2005-2006