Sue Cook presents the series that examines listeners' historical queries, exploring avenues of research and uncovering mysteries.
Series 10
Programme 13
Programme 13 -Ìý11 JanuaryÌý2005
Listeners' queries
William Hirst - Leeds woollen industry pioneer "I'd like to know about my husband's ancestor William Hirst, who was an important figure in the Leeds wool trade." Find out more about William Hirst
Sir John Blundell Maple - Victorian furniture entrepreneur
"I have had in my possession for many years a wooden travelling trunk with metal hinges and corners, more than 100 years old. When restored a year or so ago, a sign was exposed written in black paint: 'Sir J. Blundell Maple Bart M.P., Shire Horse Stud, Shafford, St Albans, Herts', all in capital letters. Can you tell me about him?" Find out more about Sir John Blundell Maple
Early stained glass - made in Jarrow or Monkwearmouth? "As a child, in an entry about my home town in a school encyclopaedia, I read that the first English stained glass was made in Jarrow. However, since the opening of the National Glass Centre in Sunderland this achievement is claimed there. What is the truth? I should be interested to know more about early stained glass - where did it come from and how was it made?" Find out more about early stained glass
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Tommy Ward's elephant - the scrap metal firm that sought help from the circus
"When I was a child in Rotherham anyone heavily laden with bags was said to be 'done up like Tommy Ward's elephant', allegedly because in WW2 Thomas Ward used an elephant from the circus for transporting steel. Is it true?" Find out more about Tommy Ward's elephant
SS Strathallan - the troopship torpedoed with 4,000 aboard
"The P&O liner the SS Strathallan was torpedoed on its way to North Africa. Happily, most people escaped with their lives. What happened?" Find out more about the SS Strathallan
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Vanessa has presentedÌýscience and current affairs programmes for ±«Óãtv, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for ±«Óãtv Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.Ìý
Contact Making History
Send your comments and questions for future programmes to:
Making History
±«Óãtv Radio 4
PO Box 3096 Brighton
BN1 1PL
Vanessa has presentedÌýscience and current affairs programmes for ±«Óãtv, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for ±«Óãtv Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.Ìý