The Whitworth Heritage Museum
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:Talk Night Programme 2023-24
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:
Whitworth Museum
© 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:Talk Night Programme 2023-24
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:
