On Wednesday 15th October, The York Archaeological Trust (www.thejorvikgroup.com) launched its latest book, the 8th in the Oral History Series, entitled Butchers Bakers and candlestick Makers: The story of the Shambles and Colliergate, by Van Wilson (Price: £9.99).
Local Author and oral Historian Van Wilson has presented an engaging account of one of York’s most historic areas, The Shambles and adjacent Colliergate. The Shambles is famous for its butchers’ shops, which feature in the book, alongside other establishments including rope makers and wood carvers, ironmongers and chemists, eating houses and pubs, bookshops and a fortune teller. With considerable historical research and photographs never before published, the book will appeal to anybody interested in York’s history and social development.
Local Author and oral Historian Van Wilson has presented an engaging account of one of York’s most historic areas, The Shambles and adjacent Colliergate. The Shambles is famous for its butchers’ shops, which feature in the book, alongside other establishments including rope makers and wood carvers, ironmongers and chemists, eating houses and pubs, bookshops and a fortune teller. With considerable historical research and photographs never before published, the book will appeal to anybody interested in York’s history and social development.
The event was organised by Sarah Maltby who is Director of Attractions for the Trust, and was hosted in Barley Hall (www.barleyhall.co.uk). It began with a splendid afternoon tea. Seven members of the Butchers Gild were in attendance. The proceedings were introduced by the Deputy Chairman of the Trust, Graham Wilford, who thanked all those involved especially the Author, and Christine Kyriacou the Editor and Archivist who had managed the project.
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The Lord Mayor Councillor Ian Gillies, a Member of the Butchers Gild, thanked the Trust and all those involved with the book and wished it great success. He was followed by David Clapham who had been given the honour of writing the forward to this book. He highlighted that much change had occurred in the meat industry over many years. He was very pleased that the importance to York of the early butchers and other trades in the Shambles area had been so well documented in this oral history.
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The book contains chapters on The Shambles and Colliergate; Childhood in the Shambles and Colliergate; Provision Merchants and Eating Houses; Churches; Butchers; Leisure and Entertainment; Businesses in the Shambles and Colliergate; Bookshops; Craftsmen; and The Chemist and Ironmonger. The Author interviewed over 45 people, including a few members of the Gild. They have all shared their memories, photographs and stories about the people who lived here and the early activities of this area of York. These oral recollections are presented in the book together with other historical research and archives.
Finally the author, Van Wilson, signed copies of the book for those in attendance. A copy of the book will be placed in the Gild library.
Finally the author, Van Wilson, signed copies of the book for those in attendance. A copy of the book will be placed in the Gild library.
JDS/18Oct2014
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