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HST681: Work Placement

2014-2015

List of Placements

Convenors:

Esme Cleall and Tom Leng

e.r.cleall@sheffield.ac.uk

t.leng@sheffield.ac.uk

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Introduction

This is a list of placements available for the Work Placement module for the academic year 2014-

15. You have been sent this list because you have indicated you intend to take the module. It is

organized by type of placement though you should read through all the descriptions carefully in

order to find out exactly what each involves.

What happens next?

On Tuesday of Intro Week, you will attend a talk on the Work Placement module. Here you will

learn a bit more about what it involves. You will also be able to ask questions about specific

placements.

After that meeting you will submit a form. On this form you will indicate three placements in

order of preference. You will also be asked to write a short statement on why you are suitable for

your first choice (and the others if you wish). Please note that it is not always possible to allocate

students their first choice of placement.

Once all the forms have been submitted you will be allocated a placement. We intend to do this

by the end of Intro week. Please do not contact placement partners until you have received confirmation from

Tom Leng/Esme Cleall that you can do so.

It is possible for you to undertake a placement with a partner not on this list if you already have a

partner in mind. However, it is very important that the convenors are in touch with the

placement partner to ensure it fits with the module aims and objectives. If you wish to suggest a

placement partner to a convenor please get in touch with Tom Leng as soon as possible and

before Tuesday 23rd September 2014.

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List of Placements

Museums and Galleries:

Newark Civil War Centre [2 placements]

Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust

Bank St Arts Centre [2 placements]

Turner Museum of Glass, University of Sheffield [2 placements]

Peak District Lead Mining Museum

Historical and heritage sites:

Chatsworth House [2 placements]

Archives and Libraries:

Sheffield University Library Archives and Special Collections

The Montgomery Theatre

Derby City Council: Local Studies and Family History Library

Public History, Community & Industry Engagement:

Friends of Sheffield Castle

Henderson’s Ltd

320 rue St Jacques: The Diary of Madeleine Blaess (University of Sheffield)

Global Cotton Connections project and Department of History (University of Sheffield

Department of History/University of Nottingham Department of Geography)

Schools:

Yewlands Technology College

Dobcroft Primary

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National Civil War Centre, Newark Museum (2 placements)

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is supporting Newark and Sherwood District Council’s plans

to develop the Old Magnus Buildings into a new museum and civil war centre to showcase the

district’s pivotal role in the English Civil War (1642-1646). The project - which totals £5.4m -

will transform the Grade II* listed former school buildings on Appletongate, Newark into a

nationally-recognised centre for learning about the conflict. Working with architects Purcell,

development work is anticipated to take two years. The museum is due to open in September

2014 with an exhibition commemorating the centenary of World War I.

These placements would involved working with the Collections team to research and

contextualise some of the key objects in the new National Civil War Museum offer. Firstly, the

Museum Service has a nationally significant 1646 Royalist Siege Plan of Newark, and one

placement would involve a comparative study between this plan and the Parliamentarian

equivalent Clampe plan, looking at and analysing similarities and differences whilst also

contextualising the plan within the broader surviving plans from the Civil Wars. Secondly, the

collections have a number of Civil War Tracts, there is a need for the Museum Service to have

the knowledge base around these items built up, so looking at printing nationally, exploring the

centres of printing, looking at the gender split in the area of printing, methods of circulation,

contemporary views to printing and propaganda. Thirdly, there is a large group of locally minted

civil war siege coins within the collections, locally minted money occurred in other areas such as

Pontefract, Scarborough and Carlisle a body of research examining these other areas and

comparing and contrasting the coin production, scale and design would be very useful to the

service. This will involve c 4 visits to the museum.

Please note train or car travel to Newark will be involved.

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Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust / Kelham Island Museum

Kelham Island Museum was opened in 1982 to house the objects, pictures and archive material

representing Sheffield's industrial story. This year’s placement will be on the topic of ‘Women at

Work’. It will support research for the creation of additional storylines and display material to

update and add to the story of women workers in the city’s industries. Research will focus on

women workers during the 1800s and 1900s and will use the museum’s collections of objects,

archives and photographs to identify and draft stories.

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Bank Street Arts (2-3 placements)

Bank Street Arts in Sheffield City Centre is an innovative cross-disciplinary Arts Centre. Now in

its 5th year, Bank Street Arts is a self-funded Arts Centre that provides a home, venue and

setting for a wide range of creative individuals and organizations, housing some of the best new

art, writing and culture from across the region and throughout the UK. A History project, run

with Karen Harvey (Department of History, University of Sheffield) was started in 2011, which

aims to place the building and its immediate environment in their historical context (see

http://bankstreetarts.com/people/residencies/dr-karen-harvey/ for more details). These

placements build upon that project.

The first placement will engage in archiving and cataloguing Deeds and other documents held by

Bank Street Arts relating to the history of the building and its site. These documents will need

photographing, cataloguing and labelling. Instruction can be offered in the use of digital

photography, Photoshop and In Design, for those requiring it.

There is also an opening for a further one/two placements which will consider the history of

Bank Street in the Victorian Age. These placements will research the residents of Bank Street,

using Census Returns, Rate Books, Trade Directories and other materials to plot changes in

occupation in given buildings over time. This information will be entered into a database. The

aim of the placements is to build a picture of what the street was like and how it was used and

occupied in Victorian times and more specifically to know who lived and worked where (the

street contained important Sheffield businesses and historical figures) and allow us to be more

certain about the inhabitants of our own buildings.

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Turner Museum of Glass, University of Sheffield (2 placements)

The Turner Museum of Glass is one of the UK's most interesting and comprehensive collections

of nineteenth and twentieth century glass. From drinking glasses to contemporary installations

the Museum celebrates the skill and artistry of glassmakers. Pieces by all the major European and

American glassmakers are on display and the collection is unrivalled in its display of work from

the 1920s to the 1950s. Plans are currently being made to redisplay some parts of the collection

and to enhance the displays with historical research.

Placement one

Discover all you can about The glass artist Frederick Carder. Although much of his work was

undertaken in America, his origins were in England. The Turner Museum of Glass (in

Sheffield) contains some of his work. We envisage as the final goal of the project the creation

of an A4 sheet providing extra information for museum visitors (perhaps with pictures) on

Carder and the firms he worked for.

Placement two

Research an article on the history of spectacle lenses for publication in the magazine "Glass

International" (limit 800 words). The article should include a time line explaining the evolution

of lenses and designs and should also provide information on production methods for a

technical audience. If time permits this may also be developed as part of an audiovisual display in

the museum.

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Peak District Lead Mining Museum

The Peak District Lead Mining Museum is based in Matlock Bath. It hosts thousands of objects

representing the lost lead mining industry of the Peak District. The collection is centred on the

internationally important Wills Founder Water Pressure Engine, which was built in

Coalbrookdale in 1819, a major feat of engineering which used the pressure created by falling

water to pump water from deep underground. The Museum also contains numerous objects

relating to the history of lead mining, a major collection of mineral specimens, and specially built

climbing and crawling tunnels which convey the experience of lead mining to visitors of all ages.

For more information on the Museum, please visit:

http://www.peakdistrictleadminingmuseum.co.uk/

There are numerous possible opportunities for placements in this Museum, which could involve

interpretation of its vast collection, updating exhibits, or the creation of learning resources for

children. The placement will require some travel to Matlock Bath, which is linked to Sheffield by

an hourly bus journey.

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Sheffield Manor Lodge (3 placements)

About Sheffield Manor Lodge

Sheffield Manor Lodge comprises a 14 hectare site which includes: 1) a scheduled ancient

monument (the remains of a significant Tudor mansion where Mary Queen of Scots was held

during her captivity in the 1570s); 2) Gardens, Park land and a working landscape including large

scale Pictorial Meadows; 3) Manor Oaks (incl. Rhubarb Shed Café); 4) Manor Cottages (1940s-

living history centre – launching Spring 2014); 5) Yorkshire Artspace Manor Oaks Studios and 6)

The Bramall Centre incorporating the Community History Resource Room. The site as a whole

tells the story of 1000 years of Sheffield history and is animated for visitors through whole site

interpretation, activities, tours and events.

Sheffield Manor Lodge is managed by Green Estate Ltd a social enterprise. It is a

transformational project for an area of Sheffield with significant social and environmental needs.

The next 3 years see further exciting developments in the heritage, learning and visitor

programmes with an anticipated significant increase in visitor numbers. There is a rich offer of

open and managed access, training programmes, educational activity for schools, talks and tours

for adults and families. The Mary Queen of Scots story is of international significance. The

Pictorial Meadows are national exemplars.

About Placement Opportunities at Sheffield Manor Lodge

At Sheffield Manor Lodge we are interested in generating rich pictures of story and engagement

derived from the historical narrative, archaeological and social historical material of Sheffield

Manor Lodge from high Tudor national importance to late Victorian industry and beyond. We

are interested in exploring how heritage connects with diverse communities.

Placements

1. Sheffield Manor Lodge World Connections

For this placement we offer the opportunity to create material for school and family education-

focused resources that place the Tudor heyday of Sheffield Manor Lodge (c1574 – 1590) within

the context of Early Modern world history events and global settings i.e. what was happening in

China, South America, North Africa, The Near East etc. etc. in e.g. 1580? The placement will

create resources (e.g. trails, guides, worksheets etc.) that make this information accessible and

engaging for diverse learners.

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For the placement students there could be opportunity for us to link them with our community

stakeholders in order to better tailor the outcomes of this work for the benefit of a range of

diverse audiences (e.g. schools audiences, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

students etc.)

2. 1940s Living History

Manor Cottage, on the Sheffield Manor Lodge site, is opening as a 1940s living history centre.

Using artefacts from the now-closed Traditional Heritage Museum and from other sources the

cottages authentically recreate a domestic setting on the eve of the Sheffield Blitz (December

1940). Schools and other learning and a programme of public and family events will run out of

the cottages.

For this placement we offer the opportunity to develop the education and visitor resources,

interpretation and events programme working alongside our staff and a team of dedicated

volunteers. This placement may on occasions require you to dress in period costume!

3. Living Historical Material Cultures

The historical material culture at Sheffield Manor Lodge (buildings, archaeology and collections

artefacts) has the potential to tell rich, multi-layered stories spanning more than a thousand years

of history. This placement provides the opportunity to 1) implement research and plans

developed in 2014, redisplaying and reinterpreting the archaeology displayed in the Turret House

and at the Discovery Centre. This will involve potential to work in partnership with Museums

Sheffield on new loans of Sheffield Manor Lodge-associated objects for display and 2) to work

with the Sheffield Manor Lodge Living History Officer on a programme of public engagement

that makes accessible artefacts received from the closure of the Traditional Heritage Museum

and now currently in storage at Sheffield Manor Lodge. This could include aspects of collections

management and documentation as well as working on collections-focused activities and events.

For more information, see http://www.greenestate.org.uk/

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Chatsworth House: Devonshire Collection (2 placements)

The Devonshire Collection at Chatsworth is one of the largest and most significant libraries in

private hands. Collected over the past four hundred years by successive generations of the

Cavendish family, it comprises over 30,000 printed books in addition to family correspondence

and autograph writings from key figures, including the philosopher Thomas Hobbes and the

scientist Henry Cavendish. The 6th Duke of Devonshire in particular was a keen collector of

books who purchased entire libraries to add to his own.

To date little research has been undertaken on the subject content, history, and provenance of

the collection beyond basic inventory work. Chatsworth now wishes to develop the collection,

with a view to both enhancing their own understanding of the material they hold and ensuring

that the full social and intellectual value of the library is realised. You will work with the

Chatsworth Archivist, James Towe, on a specified project. In some cases, the work undertaken

will help to inform a major exhibition at Chatsworth next year.

Note that these placements will require travel to Chatsworth, which will cost around £7 per day

by bus.

Four placements in total are offered between the School of English and the Department of

History:

Hobbes and the Cavendish family: a sample exercise in matching the transcribed Hobbes

library catalogue to the library now at Chatsworth. Producing detailed modern catalogue entries

for those volumes found. Scoping exercise and cataloguing work on archival resources for

Hobbes and research on his connections to Hardwick, Chatsworth and the Cavendish family.

Richard Boyle 3rd Earl of Burlington and the Chatsworth Library and Archives: a sample

exercise in transcribing a section of Burlington’s Library catalogue and matching the content to

the Library now at Chatsworth. Producing detailed modern catalogue entries for those volumes

found. Scoping exercise and cataloguing work on archival resources for Richard Boyle 3rd Earl

of Burlington.

Henry Cavendish and the Chatsworth Library and Archives: a sample exercise in

transcribing a section of Henry Cavendish’s Library catalogue and matching the content to the

Library now at Chatsworth. Producing detailed modern catalogue entries for those volumes

found. Scoping exercise and cataloguing work on archival resources for Henry Cavendish.

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Frontispieces, bindings, and bookstamps: a sampling exercise looking at and recording

frontispieces, bindings and bookstamps in the library in order to understand what provenance

information they might provide. The library at Chatsworth has been added to by many different

people over the past 400 years.

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Sheffield University Library Archives and Special Collections

The University of Sheffield’s Department of Special Collections and Archives is housed in

Western Bank Library, and holds around 150 collections of manuscripts, pamphlets and other

printed ephemera, rare books, and so on.

This placement would provide experience in the day to day workings of an archive housed

within a university library, and engaged in the care and provision of a diverse range of

collections, and their archiving. More specifically, the placement would involve work on a

specific collection on mid-20th century British Politics, which is in need of further archiving. The

collection in question is The David Dilks Archive. This consists of the research and

administrative papers of Professor David Dilks, who was a Professor of International History at

the University of Leeds, and Vice Chancellor at the University of Hull. It includes material

relating to his books on Neville Chamberlain, and on Churchill in Canada, and other

publications.

This placement would be suitable for anyone with an interest in archival or library work. The

placement would largely be based in the Special Collections part of Western Bank Library,

although might involve some outside research; note that, because of the limited space available in

the Special Collections rooms, students will have to have some flexibility regarding the days

when they will be working there.

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The Montgomery Theatre

Our charity is 200 years old and our building is 125 years old. We were founded in 1812 as

Sheffield Sunday Schools Union (educating working children on Sundays, especially in literacy,

and fighting for child labour laws to keep children out of chimneys). The building was built in

memory of James Montgomery, the prominent Sheffield philanthropist, who was also involved

in the Sunday Schools Union. Then, 1968, we became Sheffield Christian Education Council,

and served as an educational resource for churches, including teacher training. Throughout that

history, the charity produced the annual WhitSings in the parks and we have hymn sheets going

back into the early-1800's. There was a major fire in the theatre in 1971, and that portion of the

building was rebuilt in 1972. The archive also contains many old newspaper articles about

cultural events and activities that took place within the building. In 2012 we incorporated and

became The Montgomery, working in both the faith and arts sectors. For more details see the

"History" link on the website: http://themontgomery.org.uk/about-us/

This placement will research the building, venue and charity in its wider social context and the

history of James Montgomery's work/affiliation with the Sheffield Sunday Schools Union. This

will feed into a semi-permanent display in our building.

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Derby City Council: Local Studies and Family History Library

Derby Local Studies and Family History Library holds a unique and rich collection of books,

maps, plans, photographs, deeds and manuscript material relating to Derby and its county. It

provides free public access to the collection and runs a public enquiry service.

As part of the continuing centenary commemoration of WWI, Derby City Council would like to

commemorate the Corporation employees who fell during the conflict. A brass plaque listing 45

names is mounted in the Council House. However, little is known about those listed. The

Council feels it would send a really positive message to its current employees if it could tell them,

on the 100th anniversary of each of the 45 deaths, where and how their predecessors died and

ideally what they did for the Corporation before they went off to war.

Placement

This MA project will involve researching and mapping the 45 individuals named on the plaque,

using a variety of original source material such as council minutes, directories and newspapers at

the Local Studies Library as well as searching online databases. The aim is to establish at least

some basic facts on each person; age, department/job title, where they lived and brief details of

their military service. Where possible these details can be fleshed out to provide a fuller picture

of the lives of these individuals.

By the end of the placement period, the accumulated research will be presented in a document

containing brief details of each employee, to be presented to Constitutional Services for sharing

across the Council, with any remaining gaps in the basic details to be highlighted.

In addition to creating this connection between past and present employees, the accumulated

research will be permanently placed in the Local Studies Collection as a Commemoration eBook,

to be published on the library’s online gateway – containing all information found with full

referencing to help future research.

This placement will require working independently. Most of the research will need to be done at

the Library, located in the city centre. It may be possible to continue research online, although

many of the online records are only accessible via subscription databases from within the

library. Due to the nature of the project, timing is critical, starting in early November 2014 and

ideally being completed by Late February 2015. Therefore, a minimum of 4 hours per week

research time will be required. Full support will be given by the Senior Librarian.

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ArcHeritage / The Friends of Sheffield Castle (2 placements)

ArcHeritage is a Sheffield-based specialist archaeological and heritage practice which offers its

expertise to both public and private sector clients. This year, we are able to offer two possible

placements:

1) In collaboration with the Friends of Sheffield Castle, a voluntary group that aims to protect

and promote the archaeological site of Sheffield Castle for the benefit of the people of Sheffield

and surrounding areas and for future generations.Undertake research and prepare 2 x pull up

exhibition banners describing the history of archaeological investigations at Sheffield Castle.

Total words probably no more than 400. To include background research on published and

unpublished material, reproducing images and designing 2 permanent display banners which can

be used by the Friends of Sheffield Castle. The site is very popular at the moment, as the council

have grand plans to try and expose the castle remains, as part of the regeneration of the area.

Much information is already published, but some research in the museum archive will also be

needed.

2) Undertake an archaeological/historical desk-based assessment of land at Bretton Hall (now

the site of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park). The purpose is to establish if there was an earlier

(possibly medieval) hall on the site and where it may have been located. We need to

collate/examine readily available documentary sources for the site. This research will

subsequently be used to inform the design of the heritage based project at the site.

This second placement will involve some research in Wakefield Archives (we can pay train travel

costs).

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Hendersons (Sheffield) Ltd

Hendersons have been making their Iconic ‘Relish’ for around 125 years. The history of the

product has been a major part of the mystique and warmth towards it of the people of Sheffield.

It has always been there through depressions, wars, industry closures and many happy times,

always there on the table. A product whose qualities have been spread through word of mouth

and from generation to generation.

Little is however known of the early years from when Henry Henderson started producing relish

circa 1880 to when he sold the business to Shaws of Huddersfield in 1910. We are looking to

learn more about these years to add to the story for Historical and Marketing reasons. We would

suggest initial research into Henry Henderson, his shop and the earliest references to

Henderson’s Relish. If we could find a document in the local archives with his signature this

could be used on the label. It may be that this could lead on to completing a thorough history to

be authenticated by the company which could eventually be published.

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320 rue St Jacques: The Diary of Madeleine Blaess (University of Sheffield)

Madeleine Blaess (1918-2003) obtained a post as lecturer in the French Department at the

University of Sheffield in 1948. A specialist of Medieval literature she researched and taught at

the University until her retirement in 1983. When she died, she left her papers to the University

of Sheffield. In amongst them was a wartime diary she had written as a student. Born in France

but raised in York, Blaess graduated with a first class degree from the University of Leeds in July

1939. Awarded a grant to study for a doctorate at the Sorbonne, Blaess then headed out for Paris

in November of the same year. However, she was trapped by the German invasion of France in

May 1940 and unable to reach the ports she joined the exode to the South of the country. She

finally returned to Paris in July 1940 and on October 1 1940 she began a diary which she would

continue to write until October 1944.

The diary, written in French in an exercise book, is held in Special Collections at the University

of Sheffield. The Project Leader, Dr Wendy Michallat of the Department of French, has

translated it into English and uses it as a teaching resources on UG and PG courses.

Film Documentary

A University film documentary based on the diary and the subsequent life of Madeleine Blaess is

in preparation. Much of the filming has been done with the exception of a few final interviews.

The editing is on-going. The aim is to complete and screen the film by Spring 2015. There are,

therefore, a number of key tasks to complete before this can happen and a student accepted onto

the Work Placement scheme for the Project would be asked to:

Assist with the editing of the film footage. Training on the Adobe Premiere editing

software as well as editing suite time is provide by the Creative Media Suite at the

University of Sheffield.

Help to organise and administer the editing training of a small number of Level One

students

Assist with the filming of interviews.

Project Dissemination

Assist with the preparation of publicity materials to promote the film

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Liaison with external bodies to organise screenings (eg: Showroom, Doc Fest Organising

Committee)

Assist in developing the Project web site http://blaessproject.wordpress.com/

Assist with the presentation of the Project at University Open Days and Outreach

events.

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Global Cotton Connections project and Department of History, University of Sheffield

Department of History/University of Nottingham Department of Geography

‘Tracing the Global Cotton Connections of the Evans family of Darley Abbey, Derbyshire’

The Global Cotton Connections project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council,

is examining the global histories and legacies of cotton in the Derbyshire Peak District through

archival research and active engagement with local communities of Black, Asian and Minority

Ethnic (BAME) heritage. Further details about the project are available at

http://globalcottonconnections.wordpress.com/

The archival element of the Global Cotton Connections project has focused on the Strutt family

and has uncovered the vast global reach of their business in the later 18th and early 19th centuries.

At this time most of the raw cotton used by the firm came from Brazil, the Caribbean and the

Guyana/Suriname area. Smaller yet significant amounts came from the southern states of

America and India. Products made using cotton yarn were supplied to local, national and

international markets, including the Americas.

This complementary study would focus on another cotton textile family in the Derwent Valley,

the Evans’s of Darley Abbey. The main objectives would be to identify the family’s global cotton

connections in terms of raw cotton supplies and cotton product sales and to investigate their

attitudes to slavery and abolition, including those of the female family members. Relevant

archival sources are available in Derbyshire Record Office, Matlock.

The student will also have the opportunity to contribute to preparation of materials to feed back

to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and the Arkwright Society with whom the

Global Cotton Connections project has close links. These materials could then be used by

guides, in leaflets and on websites.

The results of the archival research will also be fed back to the Hindu Samaj Sheffield and Slave

Trade Legacies Nottingham volunteers who have been working with the Global Cotton

Connections project. The placement will therefore combine archival research, analysis of the

results of that research and preparation of key materials for communication to wider publics

including those of BAME heritage.

Please note bus/train or car travel to Derbyshire Record Office, Matlock will be required.

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Yewlands Academy History Project

Yewlands Academy is a STEM academy serving communities in the north of the city. In Year 7

we use an exciting new approach to learning in which the students follow a particular line of

enquiry and investigate a range of real-life sources and experiences to raise engagement levels

and accelerate their progress.

During the spring term, Year 7 students will be investigating two history themes:

Why is Stonehenge preserved as a world heritage site?

Our students will be studying Stone Age Britain and looking at what sites like Stonehenge and

artefacts from the period tell us about our ancient past.

What does the Bayeux Tapestry tell us about 1066?

An element of this project will involve students studying sources from the past and finding out

about the Battle of Hastings and daily life in feudal Britain.

We would like to invite you to participate in the development and delivery of one of these

projects. Your role would include attending preliminary planning meetings; researching a range

of sources that would enable Year 7 students to find out about either of these projects and acting

as a resident expert by visiting our students and running small group sessions. There may also be

opportunities to undertake a project relating to the Year 8 curriculum (16th-17th century and

19th century), or Year 9 (20th century history).

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Dobcroft Junior School

‘Ancient Egypt’

At Dobcroft Junior School, we are looking for a student to work with a group of higher ability

children in Year 5. The number is negotiable, but between 6 and 10 would allow you to get to

know the children.

The children's topic will be Ancient Egyptians, so we would want the group to focus upon

deepening their know of one particular area of this period of history. During their curriculum

lessons various areas, such as Gods, Pharaohs, Mummification and lifestyle, can only be covered

briefly. Whichever area you select, we'd hope that the children will be able to spend an extended

time focused upon this particular topic, further developing their skills of inquiry, research and

understanding.