Although Sam Glasswell was unable to deliver her talk about the Pilgrim Fathers at the
November meeting, Kasia Wosiak from the Bassetlaw Museum in Retford came to the
rescue and presented “The Mayflower Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Nation” (a similar talk
which touched on the cultural connections between the Mayflower Pilgrims and the native
American Wampanoag Nation). On display were artefacts including clothing, wampum
beads, rattles and dolls.
In September, last, the Society nominated Edwinstowe Hall for consideration for the
Nottinghamshire Preservation Building Trust’s Harry Johnson Award 2024. There were 8
contenders, but sadly the bid was unsuccessful. However praise was levied for work well
done on buildings in need, and an award entry in 2026 was anticipated.
One hundred years have elapsed since life in Edwinstowe, once a quiet agricultural village,
changed. For it was in 1925 that work began to sink Thoresby Colliery on the outskirts of
the village. The first all-electric colliery in the country. Work would also commence on the
building of 500 colliery houses attracting many new families. When the colliery closed in
2015, the site was cleared and plans for the building of 800 houses commenced creating a
new community referred to as “Thoresby Vale”.
There is no meeting in January, and the members are looking forward to their annual lunch.
February’s talk will be presented by Adrian Gray and is entitled “Worksop, Witches and an
American Legacy. The Life of Richard Bernard”.

Kasia Wosiak. Bassetlaw Museum, Retford