A Full House in the Ballroom for Memories of Warwick

The social club ‘In the Ballroom’ on 9th March was treated to a talk by local historian Graham Sutherland about Warwick in the 20th century, illustrated by then-and-now photographs, some from the early 1900s.

More than 40 local residents turned up at the Jury Street Court House to hear how the town has changed in the past hundred or so years.

They tested their knowledge with a quiz about the period, and enjoyed tea, coffee and cake served by the Unlocking Warwick volunteers. 

Graham’s anecdotes and photographs included the trams that used to rattle past the building and down Smith Street, horse-drawn at first, then electrified in 1905. He related how in 1916 one of them ran away when the conductress released the brake, not knowing the driver had left the cab. It careered down Jury Street and jumped the rails at the Eastgate, crashing into the building at the top of Smith Street. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt.  

Graham Sutherland is a prolific author with his books on local history known for their engaging style. http://www.talksandwalks.co.uk/public-speaking.php 

 

‘In the Ballroom’ is held approximately once a month on a Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. It’s a free drop-in for local people, and a chance for those who might find it a little difficult to get out very much to enjoy a talk about Warwick, meet new friends and share memories over tea and cake.  

 

The next social gathering will be at 2pm on Thursday 30th March, when Kate Sargent will present ‘The Dark Side of Warwick’ based on records of some of the court cases heard in the building in the mid-19th century.

 

These get-togethers ‘In the Ballroom’ are organised by Warwick Town Council together with Unlocking Warwick.

They are supported by the Big Lottery ‘Awards for All’ and the King Henry VIII Endowed Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information email assistanttownclerk@warwicktowncouncil.org.uk or phone 01926 411694