'Frankenstein' experiements on Quantocks are subject of auction letters

EARLY experiments on the Quantock Hills conducted into electricity are the subject of letters recently acquired by Somerset County Council’s Record Office.
It has purchased two letters written in the 1830s by local man Andrew Crosse (pictured, left) detailing his experiments within the field of electricity.
The experiments were conducted at Fyne Court, Broomfield.
The letters have been catalogued and will be added to the holdings of the Somerset Record Office (pictured, below), alongside other material already held relating to Crosse, who experimented with the presence of electricity in the atmosphere.
Crosse’s experiments and the resulting spectacular effects of lightning and loud bangs caused alarm at the time among people living on the Fyne Court estate.
It was stories about these experiments, which Crosse recounted during a series of lectures, which were said to have inspired Mary Shelley to write her famous novel, ‘Frankenstein’.
Shelley reputedly attended one of Crosse’s lectures in London.
Somerset’s Head of Archives, Janet Tall, said: “These letters are an important addition to the archives, which help to give an insight into the work of a local man experimenting with electricity at a time when this was a new field.”
Adult and community services portfolio holder Councillor Justin Robinson said: “This is very exciting for the Record Office, and we are proud to be able to provide access to the letters.
“I would encourage people to visit the office, which provides new experiences and an insight into the history of Somerset.”
The council purchased the two letters at auction for £400.
Both letters talk about ‘some products formed in a new manner’ and also speak of a desire to see the work being conducted into ‘animal magnetism’.
The Record Office’s catalogue also includes publications and a few other letters, mentioning progression with electro-voltaic batteries, on which Crosse also worked.
The letters are now catalogued (reference number A\CYG) and can be viewed free of charge in the office.
Anybody who wants to visit the office should make an appointment up to three weeks in advance by calling 01823 337600.

Archaeology forum to focus on historic buildings on Exmoor

THE seventh annual Exmoor Archaeology Forum is to be held on Saturday, December 1, in the Dunster Tithe Barn with this year’s focus on Exmoor’s Historic Buildings.
Organised by Exmoor National Park Authority, the day will comprise a series of brief illustrated talks looking at the kinds of historic buildings which make up Exmoor’s historic built environment, delivered by those working on aspects of historic buildings.
Ian Constantinides, an expert on the repair of historic buildings, will deliver a keynote speech ‘Why Does Conservation Matter?’.
Mr Constantinides is a director of St. Blaise Ltd, a company set up 25 years ago specialising in the repair of historic buildings and is well-known as a lively and colourful speaker.
Other presentations include ‘Restoration of the Dunster Tithe Barn’ by Graham Lamacraft, ‘The Conservation of Exmoor’s Historic Buildings’ by architect Jonathan Rhind, ‘National Trust Farm Buildings on Exmoor’ by Isabel Richardson, and ‘The Setting of Buildings: A Landscape Perspective’ by Caroline Garrett.
National park archaeologist Rob Wilson-North said: “I am really pleased that this year, for the first time, the Exmoor Archaeology Forum will be focusing on Exmoor’s historic buildings.
“They are such an important part of the landscape and tell us so much about the lives and economy of the local community - but a great deal of work is still needed to tease out the stories that they contain.
“Historic buildings can be fragile. They are vulnerable to change, neglect, and unsympathetic owners, but some are in good hands and will survive into the future.
“These are very uncertain times for many of Exmoor’s buildings and it is right to focus on why they matter and how they contribute to Exmoor’s distinctiveness.”
Tickets for the archaeology forum cost £15 per person, which includes tea and coffee, but those attending will need to make their own arrangements for lunch.
There is a choice of venues in Dunster or delegates can take a packed lunch if they prefer.
Places are limited and booking is essential by emailing smparkman@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or telephoning 01398 323665.