Hello, it's been a while. Thank you for being here. Being back in physical archives, collections and long lost boxes of stuff seems better than ever. It feels like stories are pouring out of every corner and I am making new discoveries on a daily basis. I have so many projects to complete and lots to share. The last two years, however, have allowed me to venture far and wide, dipping my toe into collections and archives from around the world. Yet nothing beats finding something and getting up close and personal with it.
I now have access to over 300 items that have all got association with our town. These come from an array of locations from all over and during the last 8 weeks I have carefully coordinated and negotiated the release of these such items. My plan is to return them to Glossop for a set period of time. This would allow locals and visitors to see some of our lost artifacts, discover their stories attached to them and you get to see my life's work coming into fruition once again.
Where have I been? I have been working hard on bringing history to life through social history. I have continued my work throughout the pandemic and extended my sessions, presentations and experiences to people all over the High Peak as part of a project to combat loneliness, online sessions for schools, in and out of care settings and using the power of reminiscence to people in our community who suffer from dementia. I am very proud of the success I have had and even kindly received awards for my unique experiences. I have lots of great opportunities ahead to explore further.
I am now opening back up to the wider community but I don't expect to pick up where I left off. During the early part of 2020 right up to two days before lockdown I had 4 sessions where I had just over 500 visitors, locals, schools and partners joined me for presentations and experiences. I hope to gradually grow to that potential again but as always I want to improve how to deliver things. One of the major downfalls is I can't seem to find anywhere suitable to build a ground floor space to call 'home'. Over the past 6 years I have even had full support from businesses and private backers to provide a full 2 years of rent to enable me to build the foundations but to no avail. All I need is some space. So I have to think outside the box again as I cannot wait around as there is so much for you to see, feel, do and discover.
I have been returning to the archives both in a personal and national capacity. From cool cupboards to vast catacombs of interlocking vaults that emanate a real Da Vinci Code vibe! So I have found some real gems during lockdown and now to not only see some of them in person but to grant the door to be wedged open to allow their birthplace to see them is monumental. This is just what I have aimed for my entire working career and passion to achieve. There is a world of items that haven't seen the light of day, some more than half a century and some have never been in the public eye. I am planning to show some of these items over my next series of talks and presentations, starting with 'Glossop's Fading Footprint' and 'Stepping into History' . As soon as I can find suitable premises I now have permission from 6 archives to loan items to go on show.
What is there to see? There is a wide range of items from documents, images, buttons, badges to paintings, personal accounts, patterns, cotton, grand chests and even a silver casket! There are remains of a ship that was contracted by the Woods family, that would ship cotton which I stumbled across in a shed when I was on holiday! All the items have a personal link to the town. There are even some items of great historical importance like a personal letter from the Duke of Norfolk while he was residing at Glossop during the summer. That's right the Norfolks spent time in the summer here! The letter is over 160 years old and mentions grand parties and new roles for the servants. More importantly it reveals the true position and freedom of Thomas Ellison. There is a diary linking Glossop and a visit from William Wordsworth. Personal items from Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Glossop. The list is growing daily and I hope that I can shed light on them for you too in the not so distant future.
Before I go, there is a bear on the hill! Sounds like a children's book doesn't it? But there really is a brown bear right here in Glossop. Why? Well I am just about to write his story as requested. So hold tight for more soon. But unlike my other artifacts, he is still here in his home from home surroundings.
Sorry it has been so long but health has tried to get in my way but resilient as always I pledge my life to the town. I have strong and deep roots in Glossop but I'll continue to open up the past though new innovative ways and means to allow you to step inside, to get a unique glance at the past!
Thank you for your time,
Kind Regards Matthew.
Want to know more? Get in touch, involved or know of some space I can use or rent?
Let me know at glossop6@googlemail.com
