© Whitworth Historical Society 2022
Lectures
Our monthly programme
for 2023/24
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 2023-24 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:
Wednesday 4th of October
2023
“What I Wrote”
by Mrs Sarginson
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC
schoolroom)
Historically inspired, Mrs Sarginson has written two
novels and produced several other books including
one about stained glass. She tell us her journey.
Wednesday 1st of November 2023
“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 6th of
December 2023
“The Quakers of Rossendale”
by Philip and Hillary Whitehead
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC
schoolroom)
Shortly after the passing of the Tolerance Act of
1689, the Quaker movement, originally founded in
1656 by George Fox, came to Rossendale. Initially
holding their meetings in the open air, the
Rossendale Quakers built their first Meeting House
in Crawshawbooth in 1728 and this building
remains in regular use today. Philip and Hillary will
enlighten us further.
Wednesday 3rd of January
2024
“Banjo and Beyond”
by Yvonne Pinder & Matt
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC
schoolroom)
Withe their trusty banjo, guitar and mandolin,
Yvonne & Matt have travelled many parts of the
world, with a particular focus on the USA. The pair
will present their music and tell us of their
experience as travelling musicians. An entertaining
evening!
Wednesday 7th of February
2024
“My Life as a Tiller Girl”
by Bez Cooper
(note: - this will be held at the Hallfold URC
schoolroom)
The Tiller Girls can trace their history back to the
1890s when John Tiller formed his first troupe in
Manchester. Tiller is credited with inventing
precision dance where, by linking arms, the group
could dance as one, the most famous being the
high-kicking routine. (Ladies don’t try this at home).
Bez tells us of her experiences and life with the
modern Tiller Girls.
Wednesday 6th of March
2024
“Blackpool Ship Wrecks”
by Barry McCann
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom)
Blackpool and Fylde coast has, over the years,
become the graveyard of many vessels plying these
sometimes difficult waters. As early as 1755, the
“Travers” was wrecked off Blackpool whilst carrying
a cargo of lace. Many of us will probably remember
the ferry MS Riverdance, which ran into trouble in
January 2008 and was eventually scrapped whilst
beached just off Anchorsholme. Barry provides us
with some details about the dangers of this part of
the Lancashire coast.
Wednesday 3rd of April
2024
“Pack Horse Days & Pack Horse Ways”
by Janet Niepokojczycka
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom)
Many of us in Whitworth have a little knowledge of
the pack-horse trails which pass over the moorland
surrounding the valley and particularly of our ‘own’
Mary Alice Hartley, better known as Ailse o’Fussers.
Janet has studied the subject of pack-horse
transport, its customs and traditions in some depth.
Saddle up and come along.
Wednesday 1st of May 2024
“Blood Bikes”
by Peter Leonard
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom)
On his last visit to WHS Peter talked about his work
with Rossendale Mountain Rescue. This time, he will
talk about his involvement with the Association of
Blood BIkes. These are motorcycles which have
been specially modified for use as courier vehicles
for the urgent and emergency transportation of
blood, human tissue, surgical tools and other fluids
of the body such as spinal fluid. Peter hopes to
bring one of the specialist motorcycles with him on
the day.
Wednesday 5th of June
2024
“Down Forget Me Not Lane 1960 - 1965”
by Brian Hallworth
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom)
Brian takes us through some of the many social
changes that took place during the early 1960s. In
particular he looks at music, fashion and the birth of
celebrity culture. As they often say about the 1960s,
if you remember it you weren’t there!
NOTE:
Click on the images on the left for more information
about the speakers: