Shap Local History Society will open its summer exhibition in the Heritage Centre at the Market Cross over the May Bank Holiday weekend. This year’s topic ‘The development of Shap in the Reign of Queen Victoria’ will look at the major events and changes seen by the village during that period
These include the building and opening of no less than five schools, two in Shap, with others at Wickersgill, Swindale and Rosgill; and the construction of the Wesleyan Chapel and Gospel Hall.
One of the major events was the construction and opening of the Lancaster and Carlisle railway between 1844 and 1846, making access to distant places much easier and putting an end to the coaching trade. The Shap Granite Company established its works in 1864 and was to become the major employer in the village.
A Union Workhouse was built in 1877 and there is a considerable archive about this place which was later to become a children’s home.
St Michael’s church saw great changes in 1898-9 when major re-ordering took place changing its appearance beyond recognition.
Linked to the exhibition is a display showing Shap scenes as sketched by Thomas Bland of Reagill, the man who created a garden full of statuary which he opened to the public each year on the anniversary of Queen Victoria’s coronation.
The exhibition will be open between 11a.m. and 4p.m. on Saturday 24 th May and between 1p.m. and 4p.m. on Sunday 25 th and Monday 26 th May. It will then be open each Saturday and Sunday between 1 and 4p.m. The admission cost is £1.00.
Any groups wishing to visit the exhibition at other times should ring 01931 716671or716244 to arrange this.
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