Busy Day In The Heritage Room
A couple of Wednesdays ago the Heritage Room was a busy place! In addition to booking myself on a one-hour tech session on the use of QR and AR codes, and planning on going to see the rugby team play up at Heslington Uni, I was hoping to wrap up the text part of the revised Heritage Trail Guide. Then the door started opening, and opening and opening!
History of YSJ Cricket binder on display; earliest known cricket match on the Knavesmire in 1848 between Training & Yeoman pupils; 1980’s college scarf (click image for full-size view)
The first visitor of the day was Pat Neal, long-time alumnus researcher and fellow volunteer. He had offered me a lift up to the rugby in the afternoon as his son plays wing forward in his last year at YSJU. But Pat was bearing gifts! His college scarf from the 80’s and a magnificent collection, “The History of YSJU Cricket from 1842 to the present.” Contained within the straining binder covers are profiles, scorecards, newspaper articles, research articles by Pat, season summaries, photos and the inevitable statistics! After all, we are talking about cricket here! Organized mostly by decade, it’s the kind of collection that’s easy to become lost in for hours. In his introduction, Pat thanks those who have contributed and also invites others to add to the collection. One opportunity is on the third page – the list of Cricket Club Captains. Does anyone know the names of captains from the following years: 1970, 71, 73, 74, 75, 87, 1993-2002? If so , please let us know at the e-mail address below!
The next visitor was Greg Hoyland, senior lecturer in Education and Theology who wanted to bring a group of first-year students to see the Heritage Room. Cool! It’s always interesting to get the modern students’ perspectives on times gone by. Although this was a preliminary visit, Greg did a tremendous job of providing a foundation for using the room as well as shining some spotlights on specific artefacts.
Lecture notes circa 1910 belonging to Harry Wilkinson, pictured 2nd from left on top row of Hornsea School photo
Between Greg’s initial visit and his return with the students, an alumnus and his wife were visiting, also bearing gifts! A college scarf from the 60’s, a rugby shirt circa 1966, and a hardback notebook containing lecture notes on The Principles of Teaching from 1910! The notebook belonged to Harry Wilkinson (St. John’s 1910-12) who went on to teach at Hornsea School for his entire career. The notes provide a fascinating insight to what was studied and how notes were taken in those days.
For the record, I did finish the Heritage Trail Guide revisions, and I did make the tech session and rugby game despite a delayed departure due to one of Greg’s students fainting in the Heritage Room – clearly overwhelmed by all the history before her. It hits me the same way sometimes!
Peter Monether
p.monether@yorksj.ac.uk
