| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: | |
| When: | On Thursday afternoons 3rd Thurs of each month at 2.00pm |
| Venue: | St Luke's Church Hall |
The Local History Group is amongst the most popular in AWAKE u3a, with our monthly meetings regularly attracting around 40 members.
AWAKE u3a members and their guests are warmly invited – these are open meetings. If local history is your thing, then please do come along! Our latest programme includes much of interest!
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 2pm (doors open at 1.30) in St. Luke’s Church Hall, Chestnut Avenue, Willerby. There is usually an admission charge of £2 per person to cover the costs of speakers, hall hire and refreshments. However, at some meetings the charge is lower and it’s even free sometimes! Please see details of our future meetings, in the "Forthcoming Events" table below.
Forthcoming events
We also arrange occasional outings to places of local historical interest. Recent visits have included Trinity House in Hull and Sutton Village. Members are also encouraged to carry out research into aspects of local history and to promote wider interest amongst local people in the heritage of our area. In addition, we mount occasional exhibitions focusing on a particular aspect of local history. A recently created exhibition about Willerby’s Past is on display at the Willerby & Kirk Ella Institute on Main St., Willerby. It is available to view during the normal opening hours of Willerby Library.
Established by our group in 2022 and sponsored by Willerby Parish Council, the Willerby Heritage Trail is proving popular with local residents. There are two information boards - at Willerby Square and Main Street/Well Lane with details of the Trail. A booklet (£4.50) contains a map and comprehensive details of the Trail. A free leaflet is also available with a map and brief descriptions of points of interest along the route. Booklets and leaflets can be obtained at our any of our meetings or at the following outlets in Willerby: Willerby Post Office, Willerby Newsagents and Willerby Library.
For more information on the AWAKE u3a Local History Group please contact the group leader, Francis Davies, by email using the link at the top of this page.
Local History Research and Articles by Members:
Enjoy the fascinating tales and articles listed below by clicking on the 'Read the Article' links.
A Link between West Ella and Devon
A casual comment on Facebook leads to a story of intrigue, including a family dispute over property, a rare Victorian divorce, a fatal voyage to New Zealand, a tragic suicide, two cases of bigamy and the formation of a bond between two families who met in Hull but whose origins were in widely separated parts of England.
A Mystery Letter
A letter from Arthur Wilson of Tranby Croft in 1886 leads to some detective work revealing new information about his childhood days and an account of a grand bazaar held to raise funds for a new church.
A Partial History of Wolfreton Garth
The connection is explored between a famous Hull department store and this grand house (now demolished) in Kirk Ella.
Alma Cottage
How a residential Victorian house named after a famous battle became a bank.
Chepstow - The History of a House
From a pig farm to a beauty parlour and a connection with Monmouthshire. The story of a house through time.
Conservative Cottage Part 1
There is no connection between this house in Kirk Ella and the eponymous political party. Initially simply called The Cottage and built by wealthy merchant, Anthony Wilkinson, this is his story and that of his wider family.
Elm Brae, Kirk Ella
This attractive house on Church Lane in Kirk Ella was once a hospital and later a nurses’ home. Read the full story here.
Foxdale Kindergarten
Where was Village Road in Kirk Ella, what was The Radiant Way and what were black stars awarded for? All will be revealed in this story of a private school for juniors which closed in 1951.
Ivy Cottage, Willerby Part 1
Built around 1730, this article charts the first 150 years of the life of Ivy Cottage in Willerby.
Ivy Cottage, Willerby Part 2
The story of Ivy Cottage continues bringing us to present times. Read the sad story of Olive Barker here.
Life and Times of Sir Henry Samman
A flamboyant character to say the least, Henry Samman came from humble beginnings to be a wealthy Hull shipowner. As you will see, he is a man who spoke his mind!
South Ella Hall part 1
The founder of South Ella Hall and its first resident was a man who is said to have had ‘a fine line in flattery, uninhibited by any respect for truth’. Read his full story here.
South Ella Hall part 2
What is the connection between John Broadley who lived at South Ella Hall from 1821 until his premature death in 1833 and Hull New Theatre? All will be revealed in this article!
South Ella Hall part 3
The story of John Beadle, shipowner and long-time resident of South Ella Hall is told here. Read the account of the disastrous launch of his 528-ton ship, “Dowthorpe”, in 1854.
South Ella Hall part 4
From whaling to seed crushing to banking. The story of the Egginton dynasty in Hull.
South Ella Hall part 5
From being an agricultural labourer’s son in West Yorkshire to the owner of Stoneferry Tin Works. The story of John Wilson, “the epitome of a hard-working Yorkshire Methodist”.
South Ella Hall part 6
Timber magnate and successful racehorse owner, Major W. Newland Hillas was resident at South Ella Hall during the “roaring twenties”.
South Ella Hall part 7
Born in Calcutta, India, Dr. Thomas Moyes came to South Ella in 1927. He was appointed District Medical Officer for Hull and attended many unexplained and tragic deaths in the city. Read his story here and learn about his four-legged chicken!
South Ella Hall part 8
The decline and demolition of South Ella Hall and the breaking up and infilling of the estate.
The Beeches part 1
Built around 1730, this is the story of the first 150 years of a grand mansion that housed wealthy merchants from Hull and beyond throughout most of its life.
The Beeches part 2
From coal merchant’s residence to luxury residential apartments, the story of The Beeches continues.
The Old Hall, Kirkella
An estate agent recently described The Old Hall as “undoubtedly one of the most imposing properties in the East Riding of Yorkshire, the magnificent Grade II listed property has a history stretching back nearly 300 years.”
Willerby Hall part 1
This house is Willerby’s “hidden gem”. This is the story about its early life as Oak Hill House and the wealthy merchants who lived here.
Willerby Hall part 2
The story of John Henry Fisher JP, Sheriff of Hull, President of the Hull Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Hull & Barnsley Railway, and his family who lived here.
Willerby Hall part 3
The last of the merchants and conversion to apartments.
Willerby Manor part 1
The emergence of the Willerby manor estate and the beginning of the Fisher family’s association with Willerby.
Willerby Manor part 2
The house becomes a hotel.