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Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum programme of talks 2022/2023.

The History of Morland Church by David Jones, Tuesday 4 October, 2pm

“The history of Morland parish church goes back certainly to the time of the Norman conquest, and probably further. The Eden Valley has been fertile land for ever, and the mound where the church stands is surrounded by three springs that never run dry. Every generation has made alterations to the building, and all that I will be able to do is to offer you snippets from each century. I hope that I will be able to whet your appetite to come and look, and keep on coming and looking: there’s always more to see.” David Jones. The talk is followed by a visit on Wednesday, 12 October 11am, meeting at the church.

The Pilgrimage of Grace by Dick O’Brien, Tuesday 29 November, 2pm

The talk explains the course of the Pilgrimage of Grace 1536-7 which was the largest uprising against Tudor rule. Cumberland and Westmorland, along with much of Northern England, were the main centres of this uprising. The Pilgrimage of Grace has often been under reported and especially regarding the very significant role of Cumberland and Westmorland. The second part of the uprising, which occurred mainly in Cumberland, ended in a battle outside Carlisle castle. The talk will look at the origins of the uprising, for instance the religious changes which Henry 8th was undertaking, the weakness in his position the social strains which were impacting, and economic strains in England at that time.

Historic Yards of Penrith by Sheila Fletcher, Tuesday 31 January, 2pm

Cockermouth and Kendal are famous for their yards and have an extensive documented history, but Penrith has yet to have a comprehensive record of the existing and extinct yards. Local historians have been working on this project for 3 years, and the talk will picture many of the well-known Yards and their architectural features and fascinating history.

Viking Period Long house at Bryant’s Gill and its wider Cumbrian
context, Tuesday 7 March, 2pm

Excavations in the 1980’s in the Lake District valley of Kentmere revealed evidence for the first Viking period ‘North Atlantic’ style longhouse to be found in England. Steve Dickinson, who directed the project which revealed it, will introduce this find in the context of the origins and development of early medieval longhouses in Cumbria. Steve gave a paper about the Bryant’s Gill site at the 19th Viking Congress in Liverpool in July 2022, and the publication of it is due in 2024. He will also talk about exciting recent discoveries in West Cumbria that are set to transform our understanding of the Viking Age in the region.

AGM followed by History of Lowther and it’s landscapes from early times to the present day, Tuesday 18 April, 2pm

Ian has been on the forestry staff at Lowther since being taken on by the 7th Earl in 1982. He retired as a director of the Lowther Forestry Group in 2017, but came out of retirement last year at the request of the 9^th Earl to assist with the management of the Lonsdale Settled Estate woodlands.

The talks are  held in The Conservative Club (downstairs function room) 11 Crown Square, Penrith CA11 7AB. Visitors welcome (£3). Parking available.

Join the friends of the museum: Membership of the Friends is open to all. For more information visit the Eden District Council website:

https://www.eden.gov.uk/leisure-culture-and-events/penrith-and-eden-museum/museum-friends-and-volunteers