Bargate Publications » Publications

Richmond at the start of the 21^st Century

This book provides a unique snapshot of Richmond at the start of the 21^st century.  It includes a photograph of every street in the town as well as descriptions and photographs of some of the more interesting buildings. Extensively researched and photographed between 2000 and 2003, with the 2^nd edition updated to May 2006,  it makes accessible a wealth of information that is otherwise difficult to obtain.

It is probably the first time that an attempt has been made to illustrate and document a townscape of the size of Richmond, North Yorkshire, “the mother of all Richmonds”.

Over 320 pages, 600 photographs and 18 maps, together with a short glossary of architectural terms, it is a ‘must have’ for anyone interested in the buildings or history of Richmond.

ISBN 0-9545789-1-0

The Last Pennymans of Ormesby

The lives of Jim and Ruth Pennyman of Ormesby Hall, near Middlesbrough.

Volume I  1883 - 1944 

Between them, Jim and Ruth Pennyman contributed an immense amount to the community in East Cleveland and in particular to promotion of the Arts in Teesside.  As well as the modern history of Ormesby Hall, Volume 1 paints a graphic picture of army life, before and during the First World War as well as the work of the family during the depression years.

The book includes the story of the Cleveland Unemployed Miners Association co-operative agricultural project and the performance of Michael Tippet’s first opera performed at Boosbeck with a libretto co-authored by Ruth Pennyman. There are contemporary reports of the many theatrical productions staged at Ormesby Hall. Ruth Pennyman's work with Basque children, accommodated at Hutton Hall, Guisborough, refugees from the Spanish Civil War is described for the first time.   The history of the almost unknown Home Defence Battalions, who guarded airfields and other sensitive sites I North Yorkshire, is also covered.

Over 200 pages and over 100 photographs.

ISBN 978-0-9545789-3-0

THE LAST PENNYMANS OF ORMESBY VOLUME 2

By Mark Whyman
With contributions from Bill Hugonin, Ilse Cornwall-Ross and Ernie Isles

As well as covering the history of the family between 1944 and 1983, the book includes an assessment of both Jim and Ruth’s contribution to Teesside. It includes nine appendices, the most important of which is a directory of some 130 mini-biographies of friends and relatives, a Who’s Who of the great and the good in their circle.   In addition to research carried out over a period of 25 years by the author, this volume contains contributions from a number of people who knew the Pennymans personally.

Jim and Ruth Pennyman of Ormesby Hall created the basis for recognition of the arts in Teesside in the early to mid 20^th century.  Their work over a period of more than 30 years laid the foundation for the local Councils to develop Teesside into the enviable cultural position it holds today.

From the 1930s until the mid 60s the Pennymans produced, at times on an annual basis, a series of huge Shakespearean productions, often involving hundreds of actors, some professional and some from the community.  Ruth’s involvement with Women’s Institute drama resulted in Ormesby achieving for many years a monopoly, winning the mime cup on no less than eight occasions.

The Pennymans were instrumental in providing a base for Joan Littlewood to make Theatre Workshop’s first impact on the national stage.   Similarly in 1934 they brought Michael Tippett to East Cleveland, Ruth writing the libretto for his first opera, Robin Hood.   She was also heavily involved in the establishment of Opera Nova.  etc. etc..

By creating a tradition of community theatre, when the term had yet to be coined, the Pennymans laid the foundation for the development of the arts in Teesside.  There can be few people who are able to claim to have written the libretto of the first opera of one of the most influential of 20^th century composers AND having worked closely with a lady credited with changing the direction of British drama.   

This volume brings to life for the first time the impact of the last of the Pennymans on the local community.   It illustrates the vital role the Pennymans played in the cultural heritage of the area, finally, through the National Trust, opening their house to the public.  Until her death Ruth Pennyman maintained a feeling of ‘home’ in Ormesby Hall and it still has echoes of the activities described in the book.

300 pages and over 130 illustrations

ISBN 978-0-9545789-4-7

A MAGIC PRESENCE

Poems by Ruth Pennyman of Ormesby Hall

Since 1982 none of Ruth Pennyman’s poetry has been in print. In this new publication, Ruth’s friend, Ilse Cornwall-Ross presents an almost complete collection of Ruth Pennyman’s poetic output. In addition, she creates a memoir through poetry through her careful arrangement of the poems, her sensitive editing as well as her introduction and notes. ‘A Magic Presence ’brings together poems previously published in THE INTRUDER, poems typed up and circulated in VERSE, RHYME AND DOGGEREL and some unpublished works discovered  by Ilse in the archive at Ormesby Hall.

Ruth’s public life has been extensively published in The Last Pennymans of Ormesby. However, her very private work as a poet has so far been less acknowledged. Yet – writing poetry was an important part of her creative life and served her as a retreat from her activities at Ormesby Hall.

The poems will be of interest to anyone who loves poetry, to historians, to anybody with an interest in the Pennyman family, people who have a passion for the Arts in Teesside and, fundamentally, to those of us who are curious about all aspects of life.

This publication has been warmly welcomed by a member of the family – Bill Hugonin – who comments: ’In her well-judged selection Ilse Cornwall-Ross shows her own affectionate understanding of Ruth’s fearless search for Truth’.

Liz Hayward, NT Ormesby Hall, similarly praises this edition:’Ilse Cornwall-Ross not only gives us access to the poems, but we get to know Ruth better through someone who knew her well personally and spent many hours with her in her widowhood, discussing literature and composing poetry in the very special environment of Ormesby Hall.’

The appeal of this collection is further enhanced through drawings by Joan Mullins, a well-known Hampshire artist. They gently but skilfully support nine of the poems.

128 pages  A5 Paperback, 1 photograph, 9 line drawings 

ISBN  978-0-9545789-5-4