Lit and Sci boxes

February 19 1909: According to a naturalist's authority, the pygmy shrew has been found at Hebden Bridge, the discovery constituting a new record for the area. It is not, however, at all unexpected. Only a week or two ago it was suggested by one of the leading zoologists that Hebden Bridge was a likely place for this fascinating little creature.

October 16 1908: The monthly meeting of the Hebden Bridge Esperanto Group took place at Mrs Hurst's restaurant. The chief business was the practice of the Esperanto hymn "La Espero" and members were ably helped by Miss Haigh and Mrs Nowell, who acted as accompanists.

March 1 1908: Literary Society: At a meeting of this section Miss Clegg, L.L.A., dealt with Tennyson in an entertaining manner.

April 27 1906: The photographic section of the Literary and Scientific Society arranged for a ramble in the Hebden Valley, Cross Lanes being the rendezvous. The rain was of such a persistent character, however, that only one zealous member turned up at the trysting place.

Cleckheaton Guardian, September 30 1911: (Haworth ramblers' encounter with a society stalwart!) "The old gentlemen serving them (toadstools) was none other than Mr William Needham, a man renowned in the botanical world. "Hah do yo' tell which is edible and which isn't?" inquired a rambler. "Try 'em on t' missus," said Needham.

January 20 1912: Mr Jos Helliwell gave a paper on "Some Common Objects in Our Local Ponds and Ditches" and was congratulated on being the first member of the Naturalists Section to make use of the lantern.

Read the full story in Milltown Memories, issue 13. If this or other stories stirs a memory, we'd be happy to know - send us your memories and comments.