Tales from the Archives

Votes for Women, War Heroes and Trailblazers: The Archives of Manchester High School for Girls

Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 +0100

Join us for a fascinating podcast with archivists Pam and Gwen from Manchester High School for Girls, as we explore one of the most remarkable school archives in the country.

From the school's earliest beginnings to its significant role in the Votes for Women movement, the archive offers a unique window into the lives of generations of pupils.

We explore the school's experiences during both the First and Second World Wars, including the evacuation of pupils. The girls' contributions to the war effort through making bandages and more for the Red Cross, and the inspiring stories of former pupils who served their country in a variety of remarkable roles.

Along the way, Pam and Gwen uncover the stories of former pupils who turned into extraordinary women whose achievements continue to inspire today.

This is much more than the story of a school archive—it's a journey through social history, education, women's rights, wartime resilience, and the lives of generations of young women who helped shape the world around them.

An amazing archive, full of amazing stories.

Web:

https://www.mhsg-times.co.uk/

www.talesfromthearchives.co.uk

www.sds-group.co.uk

Social Media:

Insta: @katesds_chronicle

Sound Credits:

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

PMusic by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!

From Hamstead FC to the World Famous Harlequins Professional Rugby Union Club

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we explore the story of Hampstead FC—now known as The Harlequins—with club historian and former player Graeme Roberts. You’ll gain a fascinating insight into the club’s digital archives, why making them accessible online is so important, and the plans for developing and expanding the archives in the future.

Graeme shares, with great admiration, the story of the outstanding sportsman and rugby player Andrew Stoddart—a wonderful piece of sporting history.

He also reflects on the evolving story of the women’s side of the club; The Harlequins Women. He also highlights inspiring initiatives the club supports.

If your a super fan you might have memorabilia that could help enrich the collection? If so, the club would be delighted to hear from you, please get in touch via their contact page on heritage.quins.co.uk. 🏉

#Harlequins #RugbyUnion #RugbyHistory #RugbyPodcast #SportsHistory #QuinsHeritage #AndrewStoddart

Web:

www.heritage.quins.co.uk

www.talesfromthearchives.co.uk

www.sds-group.co.uk

Social Media:

Insta: @katesds_chronicle

Sound Credits:

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

PMusic by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!

Open the Doors: Celebrating School Archives Day! 12th March 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000

This episode is a call to all who work with, manage, or care about school archives! We spotlight School Archives Day (12 March 2026), an initiative conceived by Julie Devenney, Archivist at Hutchesons’ Grammar School, home to a rich and extensive archive. Julie is also the founder of the popular @ArchiveHashtag on X, connecting archivists and enthusiasts around the world.

Learn how you can celebrate your school archives, showcase your records, artefacts, and images, and inspire interest in the unique stories your collections hold.

Discover how School Archives Day started and what it celebrates.
Get tips for engaging your community with your archives.
Be inspired to showcase the stories and treasures of your school.

🔗 Links & Resources:

School Archives and Records Association (SARA):https://schoolarchivesandrecordsassociation.org/
@ArchiveHashtag on X: https://x.com/ArchiveHashtag
Hutchesons Grammar School: https://www.hutchesons.org/

Mark Your Calendar:

12 March 2026 – join School archivists everywhere to celebrate and share your school’s history.

www.talesfromthearchives.co.uk

www.sds-group.co.uk

Social Media:

Insta: @katesds_chronicle

Sound Credits:

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

PMusic by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!

From Social Reform to Linda McCartney: 175 Years of the Vegetarian Society

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000

A fascinating conversation with Richard McIlwain, Chief Executive of the Vegetarian Society, exploring the story behind its remarkable digital archives.

In this episode, we trace how the vegetarian Societies publications have evolved over 175 years, revealing how vegetarianism has been shaped by changing ideas around social justice, nutrition, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility. The discussion uncovers how these archives not only document history, but also reflect the progression of a movement that continues to influence conversations today.

For anyone interested in heritage, ethics, and the power of digital preservation, this is a discussion not to be missed.

www.vegsoc.org

www.talesfromthearchives.co.uk

www.sds-group.co.uk

Social Media:

Insta: @katesds_chronicle

Sound Credits:

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

PMusic by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!

Inside the Master’s Year with Michael Harrison — From Pancake Races to Lunch with a Renowned Film Director, and Unforgettable Moments at the Mansion House

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Join me as I chat with Michael Harrison, who has an impressive CV and has served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Marketors in 2014. Its a wonderful conversation about his year in office and his fascinating Yearbook memoirs, which have since been printed and digitised and are now available online.

Michael shares his memories of the fun social events, the more serious work of raising money for good causes, and the many traditions that come with being Master of a Livery Company — as well as how you can browse through his Yearbook today.

Web:

www.mastersyearbook.co.uk

www.marketors.org

www.talesfromthearchives.co.uk

www.sds-group.co.uk

Social Media:

Insta: @katesds_chronicle

Sound Credits:

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

PMusic by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!

From Arctic exploration through to “spitfire knuckle” – plucky stories from the archives.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Air Commodore Cozens was more than a highly accomplished RAF pilot — he was also a filmmaker whose work helped shape the war effort.

From the frozen extremes of the British Arctic Air Route Expedition, where his photography and film earned him the Polar Medal, to wartime footage so sensitive it was locked away under the Official Secrets Act, Air Commodore Cozens was always at the heart of history. His Arctic film Northern Lights even reached the big screen in London’s West End.

Join us for a fascinating and deeply heart-warming conversation with his daughter, Harriet, as she shares memories of an extraordinary life.

Web:

www.talesfromthearchives.co.uk

www.sds-group.co.uk

Social Media:

Insta: @katesds_chronicle

Sound Credits:

Sleigh Bells Sound Effect by GowlerMusic -- https://freesound.org/s/265458/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!

Lincoln Christ's Hospital School - Pantomime's, Rock bands and of course Archives!

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary — and they marked the occasion with three full days of celebration, complete with media coverage. It’s an anniversary rich with stories, memories, and digital archives to share.

In this episode, we talk to Steve Holt, former Chair of the Foundation of Christ’s Hospital School at Lincoln, who played a key role in the digitisation project and celebrations. He also shares the school’s wonderful tradition of Christmas productions and pantomimes.

Web:

www.lchs-archives.co.uk

www.talesfromthearchives.co.uk

www.sds-group.co.uk

Social Media:

Insta: @katesds_chronicle

Sound Credits:

Sleigh Bells Sound Effect by GowlerMusic -- https://freesound.org/s/265458/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!

Amazing Archives!: The Feasts of the Drapers’ Company and The Elizabethan Dinner Book

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Back in the 1300’s, the story of the Drapers’ Company began in the heart of the City of London — but who are they today, and what do they do? This Christmas, we find out with the help of the excellent archivist Penelope Fussell, as we explore the feasts and information contained in the treasured Elizabethan Dinner book, now digitised and made accessible online for personal study, exploration, and research.

Web:

www.thedrapers.co.uk

www.talesfromthearchives.co.uk

www.sds-group.co.uk

Social Media:

Insta: @katesds_chronicle

Sound Credits:

Sleigh Bells Sound Effect by GowlerMusic -- https://freesound.org/s/265458/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!

The BSA Book of Remembrance – Uncovered and Remembered

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In conversation with Robin Fletcher, the CEO of The Boarding School Association. Hear how he wanted to create a portal to remember the people who lost their lives for the countries they served, from Boarding Schools around the world.

www.Bobor.org.uk is an online permanent record built by The SDS Group which honours pupils, staff, and volunteers from boarding schools who served, sacrificed, or supported national efforts during times of war.

The archive spans conflicts from the First and Second World Wars to earlier battles such as Trafalgar and Waterloo, as well as more recent conflicts.

With over 100 schools across the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA contributing, BOBOR continues to grow each month.

Web:

www.bobor.org.uk

www.talesfromthearchives.co.uk

www.sds-group.co.uk

Social Media:

Insta: @katesds_chronicle

Sound Credits:

waves sea dike NL 353PM 230519_0608 by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/720054/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Pommitus, ilmahälytys / Bombing, air raid alarm, mix by YleArkisto -- https://freesound.org/s/242598/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Sleigh Bells Sound Effect by GowlerMusic -- https://freesound.org/s/265458/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

OLD CLOCK TICKING_ Broken Antique Grandfather Clock Ticking Inconsistent Ticking(SFX).wav by GuntherDorksen -- https://freesound.org/s/328067/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!

Christmas Schooling 1883 - Manchester Grammar School The Archives

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In 1883, Christmas at Manchester Grammar School didn’t mean entirely downing tools. A curious timetable shows optional, extra-cost lessons ticking along through the “Christmas vacation” — though, mercifully for the boys, even the Victorians kept Christmas week itself free.

In this episode, Kate @ SDS talks to Manchester Grammar School

Extraordinary and fascinating archives online!