Local History
Topics of Boston U3A Local History Group over a few years.
The Hanseatic League, The Guilds in Boston, Local famous explorers, What it was like to be a child in Boston in the Second World War
We then went into a local primary school laden with information and all sorts of hands on activities for the children to experience. We were astonished the children loved it! We did too!
We looked at pubs in the Market Place based on Geoff Horton’s Publication. We made a tour of Boston including interesting buildings etc to give a visitor a glimpse into Boston’s History
We were part of the Exhibition remembering the 200 anniversary of The Flood of Boston held by Boston Borough Council. We researched the River Witham from source to the sea, and each took an area to research. Boston Big Dig, several of us volunteered. It was so exciting despite the rain and mud!!
The first 3 months of the First World War. What Boston was like at the time, the prisoner of War exchange, the impact on the trawlers fishing out at sea, as some lost their lives and others were taken prisoner etc. We also found out about some the brave men who lost their lives. Our work was displayed at Fydell House
We looked at the restored Guild Hall and were shown the artefacts in store there. We offered to help and 2 of our group were part of some volunteers from other groups who unwrapped the stored books and carefully wrote notes and wrapped each book to preserve it for posterity
We researched trades in Boston
We photographed Road and Street Signs with names of historical connection, and researched them and created a display for the vestibule at the Municipal Buildings .
Hospitals in Boston through the ages. A fascinating glimpse of our many and diverse hospitals and charity, from medieval Boston , through the war and to the present day
We have researched the roads and passages off the Market Place, South End and Wide Bargate
Water and the history associated with it in our area. Several of us went to talks commemorating the 250 years since the wonderful Grand Sluice was created and the course of the River Witham was changed. And The history of Drainage of the Fens and the people involved. How the area has been changed so much by so many. We researched The importance of drainage in the south west of the town, the old course of the river of now Castle street, Fydell Street, and Orchard street and how it gradually was changed to carriageways (roads) and businesses were created..
We also looked the history of Leisure on the River including the Rowing Club, The history of the Dock and The Maud Foster Drain.
What else have we done?
Over time we have had a conducted tour of the library at the Stump, we have looked at the misericords and the Stump, we were shown round the reference section at Boston Library, we looked at the ScalaTheatre, later Pound Stretcher and also at Dolphin Lane.
We visited the Gentlemen’s Society in Spalding.
We have also joined the many interesting tours and talks organised by the Boston Preservation Trust, heritage days etc
What now for the future?
We are hoping to visit a few more places later this year. We will visit the Municipal Buildings to see the Regalia.
We are researching the history of old Boston Businesses at the moment
We meet at the Tennis Club, Sleaford Road on the third Tuesday of each month at 2.00pm.
For further information please contact the Group Leader by E Mail by clicking on the BLUEBIRD on this page.
Advance notice:- THERE WILL NOT BE A MEETING IN AUGUST.