海角直播

Jean explores the past

Jean Kirkland explored her passion for History by writing two historical texts. She has continued this interest at the University of 海角直播, and will graduate today with a BA (Honours) degree in History and receive the Ede and Ravenscroft Prize.

Jean, 46, from Darlington, left Hurworth Secondary School at 16 with four CSEs, and joined the family鈥檚 market garden business. She said: 鈥淚 really enjoyed Victorian History at school, it was a period of great change and also a time of double standards in society. But I didn鈥檛 stay on at school; further study just wasn鈥檛 expected of you. It was either work or family.鈥� After marrying at husband Peter at 20, Jean stayed with the family firm and studied part-time for 鈥極鈥� and 鈥楢鈥� levels. Jean and Peter later relocated to Scotland for four years to run a Bed & Breakfast.

Throughout this period, Jean retained her interest in History, co-authoring a book entitled 鈥榃illiam Bewick of Darlington鈥�. The book examined the life of William Bewick, a distant relative of portrait painter Thomas Bewick, who was famous for painting famous historical figures of the 1800s, including Sir Walter Scott. Jean鈥檚 research, which took eight years to complete, revealed that William Bewick was actually responsible for paintings originally attributed to his more famous relative. Her second book, 鈥楳arket Gardens of the Darlington area鈥�, included interviews with women who worked as Land Army girls during World War II.

Jean then decided to aim for a degree. She said: 鈥淚 wanted to write and learn more about History to improve my books. At first it was frightening returning to full-time study, but I really felt at home at the University, there was a relaxed atmosphere, the lecturers were helpful and I was impressed by their professionalism. One of my favourite modules examined the role of twentieth century women. It traced the changes in women鈥檚 lives from working in the home to entering the work place, there were some elements of my life in the course. I also returned to my favourite era, the Victorians.鈥�

Next year Jean will lecture to the Worker鈥檚 Educational Association in Darlington about the History of Haughton village in Darlington. Jean added: 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 do these lectures without the degree. It鈥檚 given me the confidence, knowledge and experience of how to learn, plan and organise my time. I鈥檓 also hoping to write another local History book.鈥�

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