© 2024   The Magic Attic Archives

Local History - Local Heritage - from Local Folk

Registered Charity No 1094124

It was a “shakey” beginning. Madness and no money! There were very few visitors and within the space of six months Graham Nutt found himself alone on many occasions and wondering if it was such a good idea. Those who had been so very enthusiastic in April had obviously thought better of it by September and had left to pursue other things.

Eventually new faces did appear and also a number of researchers. Among these was one gentleman, who, having reached the top of the stairs, surveyed the scene and said, “This is the Magic Attic”! From out of the community the name was born.

There was no money and no rent was asked for from any quarter. A collection box was placed at the top of the stairs and donations were given for use of the facility. In the early days donations eventually amounted to £150 a year.

At the beginning of 1988 Clyde Dissington and Harry Robinson joined the rather “rocky” set-up. Both were invaluable. Harry could repair almost anything and was an ace with his camera when it came to copying articles.

Clyde was immersed in local and family history and had a wealth of knowledge about the local area. He is still with us today but sadly Harry Robinson and Joe Storer passed away in the 1990’s (far too young).

By 1990, locals were bringing in maps, photographs, work records, catalogues and many other items. This was usually following the death of a relative or if they were moving house. We eventually had enough in funds to acquire a secondhand photocopier which made it easier to create material for displays and also to raise a little more revenue by being able to offer an immediate service to researchers who required copies.

Various types of boards were found from different sources to create photographic displays. These proved to be extremely popular and in 1990 the local council approached the Magic Attic with the offer of a marquee at the South Derbyshire Festival of Leisure. This is an annual event that takes place on the Maurice Lea Memorial Park in Church Gresley. The “Attic” obliged and has attended every festival, bar one, since. The marquee increased in size and eventually held an exhibition of over 1,200 photographs - probably the largest was our exhibition in 2007 of professionally printed and mounted photographs from a collection of original glass slides. It also enabled the organisation to raise funds from a book stall, tea stall and raffle.

More bound newspaper volumes arrived from areas throughout Derbyshire and Staffordshire. On various occasions the British Newspaper library at Colindale borrowed an assortment of copies for micro-filming.

By the late 1990's The Magic Attic was becoming more popular and visitors were arriving from across the UK and abroad. Many were amazed at the odd but atmospheric set-up, especially the Americans who constantly took photographs inside the building.

Around 1998 those running the archive were approached by representatives from the local council who were looking at the possibility of setting up a museum or heritage centre. A number of groups, including the Magic Attic, joined the enterprise. They planned to renovate an old pottery on the outskirts of the town centre which had been opened in 1821 by William Sharpe, a farmer who was mentioned earlier. It had closed in 1967 and become virtually derelict.

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The History of The Magic Attic Archives - In a Nutt Shell