A snapshot of our projects and past events......
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On Sunday 29th September 2024 we commemorated the
Latrigg Fell Mass Trespass of 1887 by walking to the
summit of this small fell just north of Keswick, Cumbria
whilst telling the story of these Victorian defenders of
the right to roam over uncultivated land.
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On 1st October 1887 an estimated 2500 people walked to the top of Latrigg fell as an act of mass trespass, an event organised by the Keswick Footpath Preservation Association. One of the main protagonists of that movement was my ancestor, Henry Irwin Jenkinson. The court case that followed resulted in a ruling that acknowledged the right of the generality to access this uncultivated mountain top in perpetuity. A victory to celebrate!
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You can find my blog about this walk and a detailed account about the Trespass by clicking on "blogs" on the tool bar above.
The Henry Irwin Jenkinson trail.
To help tell the story of Henry Irwin Jenkinson I've created a short walk around the town of Keswick showing various places associated with him. You can view/download here:
I've also used Google My Maps to highlight significant places across the country linked to Jenkinson as a means of documenting his eventful life. This is a work in progress and is updated as more information comes to light. Here's the link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Yt3nKx8PHoSD-4qc1aa0oENEjag17Dc&usp=sharing
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Henry Irwin Jenkinson
1838-1891
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In 2020 I began to researched the life and work of my ancestor Henry Irwin Jenkinson, mountaineer, writer of guide books and champion of the right to roam movement. He took a leading role in the Keswick trespasses of 1887, and most notably the Latrigg fell trespass which led to a court case that restored public access to this hill top in perpetuity. His full biography and an account of the Keswick trespasses are published as a blog on this site. a booklet 'The Latrigg Fell Mass Trespass' printed in 2023, is available through our online shop.
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REBELLIOUS WOMEN was an annual event, held in the spring, that had four outings from 2016-2019.
Rebellious Women: an afternoon of singing, theatre, poetry, art, discussion and much more to celebrate inspirational women who have courageously stood up for social justice and political reform.
Over the past 4 years our guest speakers have been:
-Lindsey German, one of the convenors of the Stop the War Coalition who talked about women and the peace movement.
-Fatima Manji, Channel 4 journalist and newsreader discussed the role of women in journalism.
-Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor film producer and play write talked about her work and inspirations.
Also;
Journeymen Theatre productions have told the story of Ada Salter, Fodo Higginson has performed 'Women's songs of protest and social conscience', Rose Drew performance poet shared some of her work with us and Jane Mckell from AsOne Theatre Company has appeared as Dr Marie Stopes who gave a lecture to 'the Rebellious Women of Poole'.
The wonderful Rebellious Women scratch choir open the event under the direction of vocal coach Ali Sharpe .
There was a chance to join in by having a spot in the open mic section and by adding a name to our Rebellious Women collage.
Go to our gallery to see the photos
"What a beautiful, inspiring and educational afternoon. I'm so glad I came. Thank you." One of many comments posted in our feedback book on the day.
CLUBMEN 1645
a work in progress...
The Clubmen consisted of gents, yeomen, ministers, landworkers, tradesmen and many like minded demanding an end to the bloody civil war that saw a plundering of land and property by Royalist and Parliamentarian soldiers alike. They were the third force in the English Revolution, belittled by both sides.
Their story needs to be told.
Clubmen1645 is a work in progress. New information is being found which we are sharing through blogs, social media, videos and artwork.
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The Clubmen1645 project has inspired two public events:
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We met at Badbury Rings, Dorset in May 2016 to hear, for the first time since 1645 when 4000 people gathered to listen to, the reading by lawyer Thomas Young of 'The Desires and Resolutions' of the Dorset and Wiltshire Clubmen. This was a collaboration with the Wimborne Literary Festival, National Trust and English Civil War Society.
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In 2023 the Wimborne Community Theatre with Millstream Theatre created a 10 minute play about the Dorset Clubmen entitled 'Almost Forgotten'. Commissioned by Emerald Ant, it was performed four times over two nights at the Glow Badbury event in the autumn. Haydn was the historical advisor and he and Sheila joined the ensemble.
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To find out more about the Dorset Clubmen go to www.clubmen1645.com where there is also a link to short videos produced by Retro It Ain't!
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A Celebration of our street trees
On a September afternoon in 2018 we gathered at the bandstand in Fisherman's Walk, Southbourne, Dorset to share our love of urban trees.
We were joined by author of Britain's Tree Story & World Tree Story, Julian Hight who talked about his passion for ancient and historic trees which has taken him all over the world. He brought with him a sappling of a Selwood Oak for us to plant locally. By December 2023 it was big enough to put in a public space, so through Bournemouth Parks in Mind, we planted the oak in Shelley Park, Boscombe, Dorset.
Local artist, oil painter Kate Marr showcased her latest work 'Rheinfield Walk, New Forest'...
Event organised in association with the Woodland Trust
We also had on display a copy of the Woodland Trust's 2017 'Charter for Trees, Woods and People'.
See our gallery for more pictures from the day.
During the afternoon we created a banner with messages about why we love, value and wish to keep safe our urban trees.
Sheila and Haydn in Shelley Park December 2023
Tree planted in Shelley Park, Boscombe
On the 25th November 2017 we planted a tree in Shelley Park Boscombe
to mark the 800th anniversary of the 'Charter of the Forest' and to
celebrate the creation of a new 'Charter for Trees, Woods & People' by
The Woodland Trust. We planted the tree, a Scots Pine during The
Tree Council's National Tree Week. You can see some photos from the
day in our gallery and here's a link to a short video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqr_opNqDPM&t=11s
The Charter of the Forest issued on 6th November 1217 restored the right of access by commoners to the land that was once theirs to use, not only as livelihood but also subsistence.
The Woodland Trust's Charter for Trees, Woods and People sets out the
principles for a society in which people & trees can stand stronger together.
For more info: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk and www.treecouncil.org.uk
Thank you to the Bournemouth Parks Department for their support with this project & to everyone who joined us on the day & helped put the tree in the ground & a BIG THANK YOU to all who contributed toward the cost of the brass plaque.
We have been able to put our events on due to the kind and generous support of our sponsors and friends who have given their time for free and/or donated materials and money, so THANK YOU.
If you would like to contribute to Retro IT Ain't! you can do so by clicking on the link below: