Residents are invited to learn more about Parkgate’s industrial heritage at a History Day event on Saturday 25 November 2023 between 10:30am and 5:30pm.
High Street Centre in Rawmarsh will be hosting a free exhibition of photos, maps and memorabilia linked to Parkgate and Rawmarsh, allowing residents to reminisce and learn more about their heritage. Refreshments, including hot drinks, will be available throughout the day.
There is also an opportunity for residents to learn more with two exciting presentations about Parkgate’s history from special guests, Professor Vanessa Toulmin and David Boursnell. An entrance fee for these presentations will apply. It will cost £2 to attend one presentation or £3 to attend both. There will be an interval between the presentations so that guests can get a hot drink if they wish.
At 2pm Professor Toulmin will talk about The Mitchell and Kenyon film of Park Gate Steelworks from 1901 – an amazing visual record of everyday life in Rotherham at the beginning of the twentieth century.
At 3:30pm, David Boursnell will host his talk titled: Park Gate and the Development of Armour Plate for the Navy in the 1850s and 1860s which details Parkgate’s role in making Britain a naval super power.
These will be kicked off with on introduction to Parkgate’s 200th birthday by local historian, Tony Dodsworth.
To book tickets for the presentations contact Tony Dodsworth on 01709 363151 or email dodsworth@greatbank.f9.co.uk.
Throughout the event, guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy songs about the local area from Parkgate’s own bard, Ray Hearne.
The event will be held at the High Street Centre, Rawmarsh, S62 6LN, from 1:45pm.
This event is part of the Parkgate 200 celebrations which mark the bi-centennial anniversary of when the ironworks and steelworks were built in the area.
Find out more about the ongoing celebrations by signing up to the Rawmarsh East Neighbourhoods Newsletter.