A Volunteering Story - Gems in Progress — Cheshire's archives: a story shared

Our volunteer Imogen continues her series on the very different and equally valuable contributions our volunteers make with Paul’s story.

Paul has been volunteering with Cheshire Archives since 2017. After completing an Archive and Record Management course at the University of Liverpool, he worked on a project at Gladstone’s Library, digitising and transcribing hundreds of the letters of 19th century Prime Minister William Gladstone. Paul also volunteers with the Canal and River Trust and is currently involved in an oral history project, which keeps him very busy!

Paul’s experience and knowledge have made an invaluable contribution to Cheshire Archives.

He is currently focusing on researching Cheshire Gems. When our new site goes live later this year, you will be able to search with a Cheshire postcode to find the closest items from our collections that tell a vivid and memorable story of that exact place - the local Gems. These documents, images and audio and film clips will be a way for users to immerse themselves in local histories.

Paul is currently looking at potential Gems for Wilmslow, having completed research on Malpas and Neston. Uncovering a number of intriguing historical stories and connections along the way. One standout story is that Emma, Lady Hamilton, famously known as the mistress of Admiral Lord Nelson, was born in the nearby village of Ness. She went on to become one of the most celebrated and frequently painted women of the Georgian age.

Later, coal mining played a major role in Neston’s history. At its peak in the early 20th century, Neston Colliery employed hundreds of workers. Working conditions were harsh with long hours, low pay and a continued risk of serious accidents. Although mining has long since disappeared from the landscape, traces of this industrial past remain.

A 1973 guidebook for Ness Gardens, held at Cheshire Archives, introduces us to Arthur Kilpin Bulley, a Plantsman who had a significant influence on British gardening. He was keen on uncommon plants from overseas and was also a Socialist activist who stood for Parliament as a women’s suffrage candidate in 1910. After his death his daughter gifted his garden to the University of Liverpool, which continues to own and manage Ness Gardens today.

These are just a few Gems identified by Paul. We’d like to thank him for all his work!

A biography of Emma, Lady Hamilton, who was born in Ness.

A group of workers at Neston Colliery, c1916. The man on the left was injured at the mine and the young man at the front died in the Great War in 1917.