Local history

[mooglet]

Why do the school children of today not learn local history more. I live in the city of Bath which goes back to roman times, which they all know about, but i mean newer history like the last hundred years or so. I have learnt so much from my mum but not every one is so lucky. What does anyone else think? I try to pass all her info on to my kids. Not many do these days.

[Calon]

i know how you feel, however for coursework in GCSE i did the rebecca riots which was really big in my area (llanelli,wales) however that wasnt untill GCSE so, the younger children didnt even do much welsh history either.

[dot.hawkes]

I did History for GCE back in 1971/2, we did the Lancashire Plain and The German Rhur Valley. In the whole time I was at school we didn't do anything on anything local to our area, I learnt it all from my Mum, who did her own research in the local Library. We grew up in a cottage built on the site of a manor house that was part of the seige of Lathom and so we had canon ball holes and shot holes in the barn walls! There was meant to be a tunnel from behind our house leading to latham house but we never found it lol The cellar of the old Cross Hall was still there, and is still there, we kept out ponies in the old walled gardens and the massive ornamental lake from the 1700s had been long since drained and we played there as kids. It is something that families should do really, take a look at the history of their environment. I think you are doing right keeping the history going through your kids.

[nutgoneflake]

You reminded me of a joke on '8 out of 10 cats' last week, mooglet. Jimmy was talking about O levels (I think!) and said that since he'd been at school, history had got harder:- "More stuff has happened." And that thanks to global warming and rising sea levels, Geography was easier:- "There's less of it."
I just had to share that with you!

We used to live right in the middle of Bath until we moved out here - how is it these days? Hubby works there, but I very rarely get to go into town these days. Say hello to EVERYone for me!! xx

[mooglet]

dot.hawkes that is really interesing, that was some history. I wonder if there really was a tunnel.

nutgoneflake thanks for the joke, it put a smile to my face.
Bath is ok, but taking quite a bashing, now that the shopping centre has been demolished. Lets hope that all the noise and dust will be worth the wait. We are also getting a new bus station which is long overdue. Where is it you live? If you visit www.southgatebath.co.uk you can see the new shopping centre.
I do wish they would teach the young children, infants, juniors and seniors their local history. I am sure they would find it so interesting. I love to see what the old streets looked like years ago, and compare them to now. Its interesting to know what some of the old buildings were used for. I only learnt the other day, from my mum, that a part of the old part of the City of Bath College used to be the old Royal United Hospital and that my uncle had had his tonsils out there back in the 30's. Then it was moved to the Weston area of Bath. I wonder how many people, especially the younger ones, who live in Bath know that.

[mooglet]

PS. Not about my uncle having his op there, just about the building. lol xx

[nutgoneflake]

We're in Frome now - it's lovely out here! I missed Bath when we first came here, but my roots are well and truly down now - both children at school here in September when my youngest starts.
I worked in the Southgate centre for quite a while, and it's demolition is long overdue! When I had the interview for my last job, which was in the centre, I asked what would happen when it all came down, and the Area Manager had no idea it was on the cards at all - that always made me laugh!! All the locals knew it would happen, but the head offices of the high street stores didn't! Actually, I saw only this morning, a sign on our local bus about the bus station moving temporarily, and I thought "Great - it's all starting!" I'll have to come in for a mooch about when the boys are are at school. I can't shop properly with a small boy trailing behind me!!
I always found the Baths totally amazing, and when I first moved to Bath in 1988, I went to see them all the time, paying too. Then i realised that locals didn't have to, so I went even more! I must have been there 15 times or so now. Have you ever been in when they do the late night visits, and light them up with real fire torches? Spectacular!! If that doesn't transport a visitor back in time, nothing will! xx

[Hellyon]

Good question Mooglet! Exactly the same concern was raised here locally and a we now have a group of people putting togther a local history suitable for children which they will take to the schools to teach during 'citizenship lessons' Teachers on the whole can't teach them as most of them don't know much about local history. (They don't know much about spelling either - I had to correct the list of spellings my son bought home and send it back - 2 mistakes out of 8 spellings!!)

[mooglet]

nutgoneflake - Frome is a lovely place. Bath centre is no place to be at the moment, its so dusty and it all blows up into your eyes. I cant wait for the new shopping centre it looks fantastic and the new bus station to. Bristol has a lovely new bus station, so I hope its like that.
The Roman Baths are brilliant. I have not been for a long time. The lighting up evening is something I must do one day. I have always fancied going on the ghost walk one evening to.
I know what you mean about trailing children with you shopping. I have had five. The yougest is 14 so I dont have to worry about that now, my trouble is getting him to come out at all. lol.
Bath is bursting with tourists at the moment and very crowded, so i will do any visits in the off season xx

[mooglet]

Helyon - I think i must have been taught by one of the teachers. lol.
I never thought about the fact that the teachers dont know our local history. I think its great that it will taught in the citizenship lessons. The kids will love it because they can relate to it and see it every day. I am so glad others feel like this to.

[taliesin238]

Because the national curriculum is diabolical!

[Elizabeth ll]

mooglet, I remember when I was a kid I had no interest in the past because there was so much more to look forward to in the future, but when you reach a certain age you realise that the past is so much more important than you thought. I had to teach my own children that history can be fun and interesting. Maybe if schools did the same young children would enjoy it more. Schools should have the children participate in debates and gain thier interest. I have a passion for history now, but I had to teach myself. I,m lucky too I had my grandmother.