Friends of Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Archive Service (FOSSA)

Patron: Richard Dyott Esq.

(Please Note: Some of the following documents are provided in PDF format. Acrobat Reader software is required in order to read them. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, it can be downloaded here.)

The Friends of Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service, (registered charity no 1101381) was founded in 2003 with the aim of bringing together the many different kinds of users of the Archive Service.

The Society offers a warm welcome to family, local and national historians as well as to those of us who simply want to find out more about the county's past. Our members are individuals or organisations who appreciate the role of the Archive Service in preserving our history, have benefited from its facilities and wish to support its work in the future.

The Aims of FoSSA

• to support the work of the Archive Service at all its service points
• help to develop and promote the education of the public through the use of archives

Membership

Joining FoSSA enables you to:

• Receive invitations to and reduced rates for a range of social events and visits
• Receive a twice-yearly Friends' Newsletter
• Take up opportunities for voluntary work within the Archive Service
• Become involved in helping to preserve our archival heritage for present and future generations
• Receive priority booking for Archive Service events

For further details about how to become a member contact:
Malcolm Price, Treasurer, 23 The Flashes, Gnosall, Stafford ST20 0HL
Or download an application form to print off and send back to the address above. To make the most of your donations please complete the Gift Aid Declaration and return it to the same address.

Members of the Current Committee

Forthcoming Events

For tickets for all events (except the AGM) listed below please apply to The Events Secretary, Colton House, Colton, RUGELEY  WS15 3LL, enclosing your cheque and a stamped addressed envelope.

FoSSA have organised three visits for the summer of 2009
 
Discovering Eccleshall
Wednesday July 22 at 7.00 pm

The walk around this historic borough will be led by Ken Tooth, Chairman of Eccleshall History Society

This historic town which has its own shield has been involved in the Wars of the Roses, The Civil War and was once the home of the Bishops of Lichfield. Being on a major turnpike road it became an important stopping point during the 18th century, even today it still has a large number of pubs and eating places for a small village. In today’s world it has a thriving farmers market and is the home of Eccleshall Biomass who has pioneered development of one of the first dedicated bio-energy power plants in the UK. The walk will explore the main street and its burgages and last approximately 1.5 hours.

FoSSA member tickets  £4 each and tickets for non-members  £ 5.00 each

Visit to the Wedgwood Museum Archive
Thursday September 10 at 2.00 pm

The Wedgwood Archive contains over 84,000 manuscripts, 1300 maps, 680 pattern books, printed material, photographs and newspaper cuttings from 300 years of industrial activity centred on the Wedgwood family and its businesses, its employees and their ceramic products. These are crucial sources for social as well as economic, local and family historians in Staffordshire and world-wide.

The visit will take the form of a presentation by Wedgwood Archivist Kevin Salt, followed by time to view a selection of the documents in the reading room. There will also be the opportunity to visit the main part of the Museum for those who wish to, but this is not included in the ticket price.

FoSSA member tickets  £4 each and tickets for non-members  £ 5.00 each

Visit to Denstone College
Saturday November 21 at 2.00 pm

Rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of this stunning 100 acre Woodard School, opened in 1873 with 46 boys (now over 500 pupils), the buildings were designed by William Slater and Richard Carpenter in a Gothic style. Various extensions have been undertaken over the years, the Chapel designed by Carpenter and Ingelow which was built in 1887 and seats 500, and the hall built in 1891. Tickets include refreshments. Park in front of the college

FoSSA member tickets  £7 each and tickets for non-members  £ 8.50 each

Recent Acquisitions