The Whitworth Heritage Museum
Lectures
Our monthly programme for 2025/2026
Whitworth Historical Society holds a series of talks on the first Wednesday of each month, commencing in October and running through to June of the following year. Admission is free at the point of entry and is open to members and non members alike. Non members are however politely requested to make a small donation towards the running cost of the museum. Membership of the Society is open to all and is a modest £10 per year. Check out the ‘Join Us’ page for more details. Please note that for the 2025-26 season we will again be holding our monthly lectures at the Hallfold United Reform Church schoolroom on Hall Street, as it has a far greater capacity than the museum and it allows us to provide a much better socially distanced seating plan. You can download a .pdf copy of our full lecture programme from the link below:Talk Night Programme 2025-26
Wednesday 1st of October 2025
“Made in Manchester” by Brian Groom (note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Following on from his successful book “Northeners”, Stretford born author Brian Groom produced an acclaimed sequel “Made in Manchester”: A People’s History of the City that Shaped the Modern World”. Brian takes us on an historic journey through Manchester’s history of sport, music, literature and ideas. Wednesday 5th of November 2025 “AGM Followed by Potato Pie Supper” (note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) The AGM is open to members and non members alike and is an opportunity for us to review the year's performance and what we have in mind for the future. Delicious potato pie supper to round off the evening!Wednesday 3rd of December 2025
“Festive Music”
by Yvonne & Matt
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) On their last visit, Yvonne and Matt took us through the development and playing techniques of the banjo, mandolin, ukulele and harmonica. This time they plan to entertain us with renditions of festive music.Wednesday 7th of January 2026
“Virtual Rochdale 1900”
by Richard Lord
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Richard has spent many years researching the history and general architecture of Rochdale, and has, using virtual modelling, built up a visual interpretation of how the town looked back in 1900. Through the wonders of technology, Richard can change the weather or the time of day with just a push of a button. Fascinating stuff!.Wednesday 4th of February 2026
“Bletchley Park”
by Jan Hicks
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Inspired by the gift of a book, Jan has spent a great deal of time researching the now famous, but once most secret, WWII code-breaking centre at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire.Wednesday 4th of March 2026
“M62 - Rakewood Viaduct”
by Ray Whittaker
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom) Familiar to many of us is the Rakewood Viaduct at Littleborough. Prposed as early as the 1930s, construction of the M62 began in 1966 by contractors Reed & Mallik and the viaduct, 280 yards long and 140 feet above the valley floor, was designed to carry the motorway over the deep Rakewood Valley. Despite many operational difficulties, the motorway was completed and opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in October 1971. Ray looks at its history.Wednesday 1st of April 2026
“Lancashire Collectables”
by Keiron Ridehalgh
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom) Ever wondered where organisations like the BBC go when they need period ‘props’ for their documentaries, films and dramas? It is just possible that Keiron may be able to provide the answer.Wednesday 6th of May 2026
“Happa - how it began”
by Amanda Berry
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom) Perhaps surprisingly, the Horse & Pony Protection Association (HAPPA) began in London in 1937 but had its base in Hertfordshire. In 1974 the organisation moved to Greenbank Farm at Fence in Lancashire and finally to Shores Hey Farm at Briercliffe near Burnley where they remain today. Essentially the mission of the charity is to ‘rescue’ horses, ponies and donkeys which have suffered cruelty or neglect and provide them with a safe and secure home. Where possible, HAPPA try to place some of these unfortunate creatures in new and sympathetic homes and give them a second chance. Amanda explains the work of the charity, its pleasures and pressures.Wednesday 3rd of June 2026
“Barging in Holland”
by Jo & Janna May
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom) The Netherlands and the Low Countries are well known for their network of rivers and canals which were once the ‘domain’ of merchants for the transport of goods from inland factories to Holland’s major sea ports. Today, whilst commerce remains very much in evidence, these waterways have become more used to holiday cruises and leisure activities. Jo & Janna tell of their experiences whilst travelling Holland’s watery roadways. NOTE: Click on the images on the left for more information about the speakers:
Whitworth Museum
© Whitworth Historical Society 2024
Lectures
Our monthly programme for 2025/2026
Whitworth Historical Society holds a series of talks on the first Wednesday of each month, commencing in October and running through to June of the following year. Admission is free at the point of entry and is open to members and non members alike. Non members are however politely requested to make a small donation towards the running cost of the museum. Membership of the Society is open to all and is a modest £10 per year. Check out the ‘Join Us’ page for more details. Please note that for the 2025-26 season we will again be holding our monthly lectures at the Hallfold United Reform Church schoolroom on Hall Street, as it has a far greater capacity than the museum and it allows us to provide a much better socially distanced seating plan. You can download a .pdf copy of our full lecture programme from the link below:Talk Night Programme 2025-26
Wednesday 1st of October 2025
“Made in Manchester” by Brian Groom (note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Following on from his successful book “Northeners”, Stretford born author Brian Groom produced an acclaimed sequel “Made in Manchester”: A People’s History of the City that Shaped the Modern World”. Brian takes us on an historic journey through Manchester’s history of sport, music, literature and ideas. Wednesday 5th of November 2025 “AGM Followed by Potato Pie Supper” (note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) The AGM is open to members and non members alike and is an opportunity for us to review the year's performance and what we have in mind for the future. Delicious potato pie supper to round off the evening!Wednesday 3rd of December 2025
“Festive Music”
by Yvonne & Matt
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) On their last visit, Yvonne and Matt took us through the development and playing techniques of the banjo, mandolin, ukulele and harmonica. This time they plan to entertain us with renditions of festive music.Wednesday 7th of January 2026
“Virtual Rochdale 1900”
by Richard Lord
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Richard has spent many years researching the history and general architecture of Rochdale, and has, using virtual modelling, built up a visual interpretation of how the town looked back in 1900. Through the wonders of technology, Richard can change the weather or the time of day with just a push of a button. Fascinating stuff!.Wednesday 4th of February 2026
“Bletchley Park”
by Jan Hicks
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Inspired by the gift of a book, Jan has spent a great deal of time researching the now famous, but once most secret, WWII code-breaking centre at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire.Wednesday 4th of March 2026
“M62 - Rakewood Viaduct”
by Ray Whittaker
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom) Familiar to many of us is the Rakewood Viaduct at Littleborough. Prposed as early as the 1930s, construction of the M62 began in 1966 by contractors Reed & Mallik and the viaduct, 280 yards long and 140 feet above the valley floor, was designed to carry the motorway over the deep Rakewood Valley. Despite many operational difficulties, the motorway was completed and opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in October 1971. Ray looks at its history.Wednesday 1st of April 2026
“Lancashire Collectables”
by Keiron Ridehalgh
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom) Ever wondered where organisations like the BBC go when they need period ‘props’ for their documentaries, films and dramas? It is just possible that Keiron may be able to provide the answer.Wednesday 6th of May 2026
“Happa - how it began”
by Amanda Berry
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom) Perhaps surprisingly, the Horse & Pony Protection Association (HAPPA) began in London in 1937 but had its base in Hertfordshire. In 1974 the organisation moved to Greenbank Farm at Fence in Lancashire and finally to Shores Hey Farm at Briercliffe near Burnley where they remain today. Essentially the mission of the charity is to ‘rescue’ horses, ponies and donkeys which have suffered cruelty or neglect and provide them with a safe and secure home. Where possible, HAPPA try to place some of these unfortunate creatures in new and sympathetic homes and give them a second chance. Amanda explains the work of the charity, its pleasures and pressures.Wednesday 3rd of June 2026
“Barging in Holland”
by Jo & Janna May
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom) The Netherlands and the Low Countries are well known for their network of rivers and canals which were once the ‘domain’ of merchants for the transport of goods from inland factories to Holland’s major sea ports. Today, whilst commerce remains very much in evidence, these waterways have become more used to holiday cruises and leisure activities. Jo & Janna tell of their experiences whilst travelling Holland’s watery roadways. NOTE: Click on the images on the left for more information about the speakers:
