About this Event
IHBC Yorkshire would like to welcome you to the former Company Town and Port of Goole, during the year of it Bicentenary celebrations. Goole as a settlement dates back to the c.17th century, following the draining of Hatfield Chase by Dutch Engineer Cornelius Vermuyden. In 1826 the Aire and Calder Navigation opened a new ‘Company’ Town and Docks at the terminus of the Knottingley-Goole Canal. The Company Town featured grand Georgian Terraces, but following nationalization and post-war regeneration only fragments of the historic town remain. The former Company Town does however retain one of England’s oldest purpose built hotels, Georgian shop joinery, a Georgian Lock-Up and former early Victorian public rooms.
See here for more details about Goole 2026: https://www.goole2026.org.uk/
The day will consist of:
10:30am arrive – tea & coffee.
11am IHBC AGM
11:30am Lecture: Sian Anthony of York Archaeology will present: 'From scruffy jumpers to PPE. The evolution of professional archaeology and how it can benefit other disciplines.'
12:30am lunch and visit the Lodge Room within venue.
13:15pm Site Visit: East Yorkshire Branch Representative, and ‘Goolie’, Stephen Walker will introduce the origins of the Company Town of Goole. The talk will explain why the new town and docks were built, who built it and elements of its architecture. Stephen Walker will then lead a 90 minutes walking tour of the former Company Town and Docks. The walk will explore the layout of the Company Town, surviving Georgian and early Victoria architecture, and the impact of post-war regeneration. This will be completed with a visit to Goole Market Hall and St John's by Donald Insall Associates to discuss completed and ongoing projects.
15:00 Finish: Please join the Committee for drinks in the recently restored Victorian Market Hall. Goole Market Hall (Brew York), Stanley Street, Goole. *The venue serves food, coffee and a range of beers.
Transport:
The venue is a short walk from Goole Railway Station. Goole is on the Doncaster branch line so accessible from most locations.
Free parking is available at Estcourt Street Car Park which is a 5 minute walk and parking is available at the station for <£3 for the day.
Event venue & nearby stays
Goole Masonic Hall, 4 Belgravia, Goole, United Kingdom
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