Saturday Morning Group.

Dennis Humphreys the speaker at our May meeting gave an excellent talk on “Nottinghamshire Postal History” and the lives of people on its route.

In 1635 the postal service was introduced following a declaration by King Charles I for the commencement of five postal routes through the country. All routes converged on London and the Great North Road brought the service through this county.

From their Post Offices in Nottinghamshire the Post Master not only dealt with the general day to day business, but also the change-over of horses required along the route. Post Boys on horseback carried the mail to a town where the next post boy continued until the letters finally reached their destination. A post carrier on foot then made the delivery house to house. It was usual for each Post Office to be managed by different generations of the same family.

William Brewster the son of a Post Master in this county became a Pilgrim Father.

The cost of a letter from Worksop to London was one shilling but for members of Parliament and the landed gentry it was a free service. The 1d post was introduced in 1840.

Members enjoyed Dennis’s informative talk and slides showing maps and correspondence of that era.

Dates of the next meetings:-

Saturday, 14th June. ‘The Decoupage Story’ Speaker Alice-Anne Hutchinson

Saturday, 12th July, ‘Pickled, Potted, and Canned’ Speaker Tracey Akehurst

Membership of the group is open to ladies whose husbands / partners are members of the Masonic Club. Widows of former club members are also welcome. Meetings are held at the Masonic Hall, Goldsmith Street, on the second Saturday of each month. Coffee is served prior to the meeting at 10.00am and the meeting commences at 10.30am.

Events Calendar.

An outing to Burghley House is planned for Saturday, 9th August 2008. We welcome visitors to join us on all our outings.

For further information on any of the above ‘e’ mail Chairman Aileen Wright at ladies.saturdaygroup@tiscali.co.uk