TALKS 2019 - 2020
THE 1887 KESWICK MASS TRESPASS
30TH SEPT 2019
Most people have heard of the mass trespass on Kinder Scout in 1932. Why is it, then that so few know of the much larger and more successful mass trespasses which occurred in Keswick 45 years earlier?
Roy Ellis will be telling us about it and explain how this and not the Kinder trespass that actually had more impact on rights of way and access to the hills.
UNCLIMBED PEAKS OF KYRGYZSTAN
14TH OCT 2019
Have you ever wondered what it is like to somewhere a place that no one has ever been to in a country not many have heard of?
Chris Harling lead an expedition attempting unclimbed peaks in the Kyrgyzstan Tien Shan mountains by a group of relatively inexperienced climbers.
They explored deserted glaciated valleys and experienced the sheer thrill of climbing into the unknown and standing on untrodden peaks.
THE ROOF OF AFRICA
28 OCT 2019
A collection of adventures taking you to the summits of some of Africa’s most majestic mountains as visited by Zoë Barker
SERPENTS IN THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE
11TH NOV 2019
At the end of the First World War the authorities in Britain designed a series of memorials to acknowledge the sacrifices made by those associated with their village, town, city or even work place. This talk will explore the reason behind the designs and will compare the approach of Great Britain to that of France, Germany and the USA.
FLETCHER MOSS AND HIS TRAVELS IN CHESHIRE AND SHROPSHIRE
26TH NOV 2019
Early 20th century exploration by bicycle and train of this historian, alderman, philanthropist and author. The talk follows his route using his own books, Pilgrimages to Old Houses.
ELIZABETH RAFFALD – MANCHESTER’S 18TH CENTURY DOMESTIC GODDESS
9TH DEC 2019
A hundred years before Mrs Beeton, Elizabeth Raffald produced not just an instruction book of domestic excellence, The Experienced English Housekeeper, but was much more. She was an entrepreneur, innovator, educator and benefactor. She is almost forgotten despite her tremendous contributions to pre-industrial Manchester
Prof Andrew Biswell
Christopher Isherwood and the Bradshaws of Marple Hall
6th Jan 2020
The writer Christopher Isherwood (1904-1986) is best known for his novels about Berlin, but many people are unaware that his family owned Marple Hall in Cheshire. Andrew aims to place Isherwood in the context of his strong connections with England as he returned to the subject of his family towards the end of his life, despite leaving and becoming a US citizen in 1939.
Jean Bailo - Victorian Underworld
20th Jan 2020
Jean will take us into Manchester’s underworld, the Angel Meadow area where policemen went round in threes not twos, graveyards with over 44,000 bodies, death, disease, body snatching and more of the unsavoury life of the city.
Dr Robert McManners - Mining Art
3rd Feb 2020
Dr McManners and Gillian Wales have researched, written about and collected paintings about Mining Art in the North East and their work formed the basis of the Pitmen and Prelates exhibition in Auckland Castle in 2016 and now form part of the gallery showcasing Mining Art at Bishop Auckland which opened in 2017.
Steve Williams - Malta GC
17th Feb 2020
Steve will look at some of the island’s history from the Knights of St John and the great siege in the 16th century through to World War II when the island was awarded the George Cross by King George VI.
Judith Wilshaw - Baronies, Manors and Royal Hunting Forests
2nd Mar 2020
After the Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror, defeated King Harold in 1066 he claimed all the land in England. He leased the holdings to his favourites and supporters which became Manors and grouped into Baronies. Much of England was uncultivated woodland, the preserve of wild animals which became the Royal Hunting Forests with 2 in this area near Stockport.