A selection of reports of previous activites 2008-11
Visit to Jerwood Centre and Dove Cottage Grasmere
Saturday 2 April 2011
This was an opportunity to find out more about the archive and to view the exhibition, Savage Grandeur. Mark Ward was our guide to Dove Cottage, peppering his tour with anecdotes of Wordsworth family and then the curator, Jeff Cowton MBE told us about the trust and its collections and how they were managed before we were given a tour behind the scenes to view its computer controlled engine room. A wonderful afternoon enjoyed by all.
Visit to Shap and Keld
Saturday 4 September 2010
We were welcomed by Shap Local History Society at their excellent Shap Local History Centre where coffee was provided. FOCAS member Professor Michael Mullett then gave a short introduction to the Premonstratensian Order, the order of monks at Shap Abbey. The party first visited Keld Chapel, where another FOCAS member and researcher, Harry Hawkins, was our guide. After lunch at the Greyhoud we moved on Shap Abbey where Harry was again our guide.
All in all, a very enjoyable and informative day.
Members' Day: Preview of Carlisle Record Office, AGM and Tithe Maps online
Saturday 23 October 2010
Some 40 members enjoyed a privileged preview of the new facilities at Carlisle, including a 'behind the scenes' tour of the state-of-the-art storage and conservation areas and suites of rooms in the restored Lady Gillford's House.
After a very enjoyable lunch, we were treated to a talk by Paul Newman of Cheshire Archive Service on their project to digitise tithe maps and apportionments for the county and the resulting, and truly amazing, fully searchable website, Emapping Victorian Cheshire: Cheshire's Tithe Maps Online. We encourage all members who have not explored this site to do so to see what can be achieved by well-planned digitisation. Over 80 volunteers worldwide were involved in transcribing the tithe apportionments. Click on the image to access the site.
Overview of 2010 support activities
FOCAS continued to help primary schools with finance for transport for visits to Record Offices, one of the societies' most successful projects. Our Chairman was a very active member of the steering committee which is attempting to set up an organisation to restart VCH projects not already covered in Cumbria. Friends also offered financial assistance with project start-up costs. Details of the new Cumbria County History Trust and how you can get involved click the link. FOCAS was involved in providing input which may be useful in the layout of some areas in the new Carlisle Record Office and provided financial support for refreshments for volunteers assisting with the labelling and packing of records at the Carlisle Record Office and Conservation Unit ready for their transfer from the old to new Record Office. We also offered support for a bid for funds to purchase Brough and Ravenstonedale Manorial Documents which Kendal Record Office wasnvited to purchase on the open market.
Carlisle Cathedral Archives and Library Visit Saturday 7 March 2009
Twenty-one FOCAS members assembled at Carlisle Record Office where David Bowcock , Assistant County Archivist, had selected and laid out numerous fine examples of documents from the Carlisle Cathedral Archive. After a brief introduction by David we were free to browse these documents with David on hand to answer queries. We were also able to view plans and photographs of progress on the building of the new Record Office.
After lunch in the ‘Prior’s Kitchen’, situated in the under-croft of the fratry, members assembled in the fratry which now houses the Cathedral Library where Canon David Weston, the former Canon Librarian of Carlisle Cathedral, had laid out a magnificent display of documents and items 
which charted the history of Carlisle Cathedral and its influence in the region from its origins as an Augustinian priory to the Anglican Cathedral it is today. Canon Weston gave a detailed and scholarly presentation, describing each selected document or item which held his audience spellbound. Time was allowed to have closer inspection of the items on display.
The party then before we climbed the Prior's Tower. Here Canon Weston interpreted the decoration on the wonderful and important 16th century painted ceiling of the first floor room with its symbols and heraldic devices.
This was a very successful visit and thanks are due to David Bowcock who gave up his Saturday morning to allow us to use the Record Office, to Canon Weston for making the visit to the Cathedral so interesting, and last but not least to Michele Moatt for making the arrangements for the event. It was particularly pleasing to see so many new faces at this event (in addition to the stalwarts!)
Members' Day and AGM
Saturday 25 October 2008
Once again members enjoyed their day at the Penrith Methodist Church; despite the inclement weather there was a good attendance. After tea/coffee and biscuits, FOCAS committee member Ian Jones gave a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated talk on the history of "Holehird", Windermere which described its owners, the building and its important gardens. Ian has written an excellent book on the subject: The House of Hird: the story of a Windermere Mansion and the people who lived there (2002). For further details and ordering information, please use the general contact form on this website.
The chair's report to the AGM referred to the progress being made in the establishment of an organisation for the Victoria County History project and on the success of the visit to Cockermouth Castle. The secretary gave an update on progress in the new Carlisle Record Office and the valuable work being done by volunteers in preparation for the move of the archive material to the new premises in due course.
The audited accounts were presented and explained by the treasurer who drew attention to a report on the success of the "History in Schools" project for which FOCAS provides some funding. He also commented on the success of the website which had been in operation since October last year and is attract ing over 200 hits a month.
Mary Wane OBE, Vice President, took the chair of the election of officers of the committee for 2009. Susan Dench stepped down from the committee after 2009. Susan Dench stepped down from the committee after completing her three years as a member in accordance with the rules and Dr Mike Winstanley and Mary Wane joined the committee.
After an excellent lunch, the final treat of the day was an erudite lecture by Professor Michael Mullet, recently retired from the History Department at Lancaster University. His extemsive knowledge and delivery of his presentation held the attention of the audience with no difficulty at all.
Both speakers were congratulated on their presentations which were thoroughly enjoyed by all those attending. Before departing members coffee, tea and biscuits were provided to sustain members for their journey home on a particularly inclement Saturday evening.