A Practical Lecture and Exhibition by an Agent of Mr. Wilderspin Esq; Inventor of the Infant & Training Systems of Education. The forty minutes demonstration commences outside in the Playground with an opportunity afterwards in the Schoolroom for questions about his plans for giving children religious, moral, mental, and physical education. Free to members of... Read more...

Having been born into a privileged, aristocratic family, Vere Foster went on to devote his life to the social betterment of the Irish poor in the nineteenth century.  Jean Cannon describes how Foster helped emigrants to America, improve educational standards in Victorian Ireland, and promoted better healthcare for the poor.

Peter Claxton examines the forces that shaped public health and housing in Hull between 1830-1914.  Peter’s talk examines the relationships between central and local government, the ratepayers, the unenfranchised and the consequential effects this had on health and housing in Kingston upon Hull.  Please note this is an afternoon lecture.

For a town of Barton’s size we have more than our fair share of places linked to famous people. A panel of speakers including John French, Nigel Land, Monty Martin and Trevor Millum outline the great achievements of their local heroes famed for their inventions, novels and innovations. Come and find out who their mystery... Read more...

Barton experienced tremendous economic and social change during the nineteenth century. The growing number of people living in the town impacted on the character of the older part of the town - reflected in the wealth of Victorian public and private buildings which remain as an impressive legacy of this period. Meet at the Wilderspin... Read more...

The Ropewalk is the only clue today that Waterside was once a busy industrial part of the town clustered around the Haven.  This walk, however, reveals the full manufacturing history of this distinct part of town where not only ropes were made but bricks, chemicals and boats too.  Approximately 1½ hours.  Booking required: tel. (01652)... Read more...

How have physical geography and people shaped the Humber landscape we see today? Landscape historian Richard Clarke explains the geomorphology of the wider Humberside region and the changes brought about by human activity, including more recent conservation interventions. Talks take place at the Wilderspin & National School Museum in the Joseph Wright Hall, Queen Street... Read more...

Around a third of land in the UK should be protected for nature by the end of the decade. Dr. Jack Hatfield examines the varied histories of protected areas like the nature reserves in Barton and around the Humber and outlines the unprecedented challenges they face. Talks take place at the Wilderspin & National School... Read more...

The landscape legacy of two local industries comes under the spotlight: From Chemicals to Conservation is the story, told by Stuart Garfoot, of how Waters’ Edge Country Park was created from reclaimed industrial land left behind by a century of chemical and fertilizer manufacturing around Barton Haven. Simon Wellock then shifts the focus in Bricks... Read more...

Following Barton Civic Society’s Annual General Meeting at 7.30pm, Humber Bank Industry is about the industries that once flourished along the Humber bank. Brick, roof tile, cement and chemical manufacturing have left their marks which, as Andrew Robinson shows, can still be seen today by the keen observer. The talk starts at 8.15pm following the... Read more...

Did you know that this East Yorkshire town was once an Anglo Saxon “Beaver Clearing in the Woods”? There’s probably much else for you to discover about this thriving market town on our doorstep. Dominant over all is the gothic majesty of the Minster – a survivor of Viking destruction and fire. St Mary’s Church... Read more...