logo logo
Today is Last update 22-07-2010
Bookmark this site
Cumbria Map
Map Of Cumbria

Cumbria as defined Post- 1974. The CWAAS 4 Affiliated Groups meet in the 4 places named.

For further details of the Affiliated Groups please click the following link.

Contact Us

Society Committees

Click the button below for more details on the Society Committees.

Cumbria Research

Interested in aspects of Cumbria researched in universities in the last ten years or so? A fascinating list!

Research and Grants

We help to foster research on Cumbria’s past through Grant Aid for widely-differing Cumbrian projects, and (for people under 25 years) the Clare Fell Memorial Bursaries. In addition all CWAAS Committees are widely involved in heritage matters throughout Cumbria, making their expertise available in many ways.

Sites Like Ours

Visit the links page for details of ’like minded’ sites.

Genealogy

Many visitors will also be interested in Genealogy. We have provided a page of useful links for Genealogy Researchers.

Transactions Index

Work progresses on the Transactions Index. An abbreviated index is searchable for all years and the full index is now available for many years.

Technical

This site is designed to work best in the latest browers. If you are experiencing problems or for more technical details please click the Read More button below.

banner

Welcome to Cumbria Past

an image

’Swinside Stone Circle’, one of
Cumbria’s many prehistoric circles

It’s good to have you with us on the Home Page of Cumbria Past, the CWAAS website. Cumbria Past: an up-to-date name for the website of an up-to-date Society interested in Cumbria's past - its history, landscape and archaeology. And behind the website is the CWAAS, the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society, founded in 1866 and keeping the traditional name alive, although the territory changed in 1974 and was also given a new name (see caption to map top left). Quite a challenge for a Society!

Membership

Transactions

an image

an image

Substantial benefits come from joining CWAAS; for instance, a copy of Transactions is sent to each member every November; and every member also receives three Newsletters each year, so keeping in touch with what's going on in Cumbria, and beyond.

Transactions (papers and notes on aspects of Cumbria's history and archaeology) are published annually. A copy of Transactions is sent to each member every November. CWAAS is also in the process of making the considerable Index of Transactions available on line.

ACTIVITIES
Group outing to Alston

Spadeadam: CWAAS visit to former rocket station.

We enjoy exploring, reading about and researching Cumbria's varied and rich historical and archaeological heritage. Cumbria offers prehistoric circles and stone axe factories; Roman military sites a-plenty; Saxon and Viking antiquities such as Bewcastle Cross in the far north east of the county and Gosforth Cross in the mid-west; pele towers and castles which tell of Border raids and turbulent medieval days; and evidence of a later more peaceful existence - in the numerous parish churches and gracious houses. Seafaring and diverse industries have played a major role in Cumbria's development and there is much of both available to be explored.


Article from the Newsletter concerning the visit

Affiliated Groups

CWAAS Early Days

an image an image

We share our enthusiasm and knowledge with others keen to know about Cumbria’s history and archaeology through our publications, lectures and visits. We also have 4 Affiliated Groups, each in a strategic part of Cumbria, each offering its own programme of activities and events.

If you enjoy reading about times past, this page will interest you. It offers randomly selected snippets taken from CWAAS Transactions, which at first, and for many years, included Proceedings. These bring to light all sorts of fascinating things about CWAAS in its early life.

Latest Item: CWAAS PULLS IT OFF!

Our Publications

The Websters of Kendal
The Websters of Kendal

New Items
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE NEWS

WINTER PROGRAM 2010-2011

South West Affiliated Group

RESEARCH & GRANTS COMMITTEE REPORT

SEE MAIN SOCIETY NEWS

CWAAS GIVES SOME BACKING

TO NEW BOOK FROM BOYDELL & BREWER

SUMMER NEWSLETTER OUT NOW!

EVENT IN HONOUR OF JOHN TODD.

BOOK THIS DATE NOW!

ANNUAL DINNER

NEW ARTICLE + PHOTOS!

READ MORE

COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY OPPORTUNITY

YOUR HANDY GUIDE:

WHAT'S ON IN CUMBRIA? FESTIVAL OF BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY

CUMBRIAN SLANT FROM HEXHAM FORUM

SPONTANEOUS ACCOLADE!

CWAAS IN THE NEWS

CUMBRIA 'JEWELS'

IN REVIEW OF RIB III

NEW WEBSITE FEATURE:

ARCHIVED NEWS ITEMS AND ACTIVITIES

SOCIETY COUNCIL’S SUMMER ARRANGEMENTS

ALTERED DATE FOR FOREST OF DEAN PROPOSED TRIP.

A MISCHIEVOUS INFLUENCE?

Not likely!

FIRST FRUITS OF PAYPAL!

 

Society News

The column above has some recent items, but we have a page with all the latest news.

We also publish a Newsletter three times a year.

Newsletter front page