The Whitworth Heritage Museum
© Whitworth Historical Society 2022
Lectures
Our monthly programme for
2022/23
The Society have a programme of monthly lectures, which are usually held on the first Wednesday in every month, between the months of October and June, and the start time is 7.30pm. Below is a list of talks to be held during the winter of 2022/2023. Please note that for the 2022 - 23 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.Wednesday 5th of October 2022
“Northeners - a history from the Ice Age to the 21st Century” by Brian Groom (note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Brian looks at this enormous period of time, around 11,500 years, to try to identify how the character and qualities of the ‘Northener’ were shaped.Wednesday 2nd of November 2022
“AGM Followed by Potato Pie Supper” (note: - this may 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 7th of December 2022
“In the Bleak Mid Winter”
by Brian Hallworth
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Many winter traditions, some still followed today, have their origins way back in the mists of time although, of course, the Victorian era is credited with much of the activity and customs which take place at Christmas. in fact, the Anglo-Saxon word for Christmas, Cristesæsse, was first recorded in 1038 and celebrations of various kinds took place throughout medieval and Tudor times.Wednesday 4th of January 2023
“Nostalgia - the 50’s & 60’s”
by Peter Watson
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Using his own unique style, Peter takes us back to the heady days of the 1950’s and 1960’s and reminds us of the everyday things that were soon to pass into history during those very fast moving times. Some items of confectionary remained topical however with such things as ‘flying saucers’ filled with sherbet, Pontefract Cakes and liquorice pinwheels.Wednesday 1st of February 2023
“The Art of Letter Writing”
by Paul Nester
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Paul takes a close look at the work of well known letter writers including The Queen and Lady Clementine Churchill. He also makes reference to Martin Luther King and the Lockerbie Disaster.Wednesday 1st of March 2023
“HENRY VIII & HIS SIX WIVES”
by Rev Canon Fleur Green
(note: - this may be held at the URC schoolroom) Despite his many achievements, among which were the formation of the first 'standing' navy (Royal Navy) and the regulation of the medical profession, King Henry VIII is probably best remembered for the linked issues of his break with the church of Rome and his having six wives. The wives are the subject of this talk by the Rev Green.Wednesday 5th of April 2023
“Suffragettes”
by Ed Glinert
(note: - this may be held at the URC schoolroom) The history of the suffrage movement often focuses on the activities taking place in London, however, the organisation was equally strong in manchester and both societies were established in 1867. The Manchester National Society for Women’s Suffrage held its first meeting in Manchester’s Free Trade Hall on 14th of April 1868.Wednesday 3rd of May 2023
“Climbing Mount Everest”
by Melanie Southworth
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) 29th of May 2023 will see the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hilary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. News of their success was broadcast to Britain, and the world, on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation, 2nd June 1953. Many years later, Ramsbottomm explorer Melanie, then aged 48, made her own ascent of this threacherous mountain and illustrates her talk with her many photographs and artefacts from her own expedition.Wednesday 7th of June 2023
“A Study of Belle Vue”
by Brian Selby
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) You may be surprised to learn that the history of Belle Vue Zoological Gardens goes back as far as 1836 and, at its peak, attractted over two million visitors each year. In more recent times, many will remember its amusement park, greyhound racing, motorcycle speedway and famous circus. Brian reminds us of the popularity of this once-thriving attraction which was (almost) on our doorstep.
Whitworth Museum
© Whitworth Historical Society 2022
Lectures
Our monthly programme
for 2022/23
The Society have a programme of monthly lectures, which are usually held on the first Wednesday in every month, between the months of October and June, and the start time is 7.30pm. Below is a list of talks to be held during the winter of 2022/2023. Please note that for the 2022 - 23 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.Wednesday 5th of October
2022
“Northeners - a history from the Ice Age to the 21st Century” by Brian Groom (note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Brian looks at this enormous period of time, around 11,500 years, to try to identify how the character and qualities of the ‘Northener’ were shaped.Wednesday 2nd of
November 2022
“AGM Followed by Potato Pie Supper” (note: - this may 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 7th of
December 2022
“In the Bleak Mid Winter”
by Brian Hallworth
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Many winter traditions, some still followed today, have their origins way back in the mists of time although, of course, the Victorian era is credited with much of the activity and customs which take place at Christmas. in fact, the Anglo-Saxon word for Christmas, Cristesæsse, was first recorded in 1038 and celebrations of various kinds took place throughout medieval and Tudor times.Wednesday 4th of January
2023
“Nostalgia - the 50’s & 60’s”
by Peter Watson
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Using his own unique style, Peter takes us back to the heady days of the 1950’s and 1960’s and reminds us of the everyday things that were soon to pass into history during those very fast moving times. Some items of confectionary remained topical however with such things as ‘flying saucers’ filled with sherbet, Pontefract Cakes and liquorice pinwheels.Wednesday 1st of February
2023
“The Art of Letter Writing”
by Paul Nester
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) Paul takes a close look at the work of well known letter writers including The Queen and Lady Clementine Churchill. He also makes reference to Martin Luther King and the Lockerbie Disaster.Wednesday 1st of March
2023
“HENRY VIII & HIS SIX WIVES”
by Rev Canon Fleur Green
(note: - this may be held at the URC schoolroom) Despite his many achievements, among which were the formation of the first 'standing' navy (Royal Navy) and the regulation of the medical profession, King Henry VIII is probably best remembered for the linked issues of his break with the church of Rome and his having six wives. The wives are the subject of this talk by the Rev Green.Wednesday 5th of April
2023
“Suffragettes”
by Ed Glinert
(note: - this may be held at the URC schoolroom) The history of the suffrage movement often focuses on the activities taking place in London, however, the organisation was equally strong in manchester and both societies were established in 1867. The Manchester National Society for Women’s Suffrage held its first meeting in Manchester’s Free Trade Hall on 14th of April 1868.Wednesday 3rd of May
2023
“Climbing Mount Everest”
by Melanie Southworth
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) 29th of May 2023 will see the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hilary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. News of their success was broadcast to Britain, and the world, on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation, 2nd June 1953. Many years later, Ramsbottomm explorer Melanie, then aged 48, made her own ascent of this threacherous mountain and illustrates her talk with her many photographs and artefacts from her own expedition.Wednesday 7th of June
2023
“A Study of Belle Vue”
by Brian Selby
(note: - this may be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom) You may be surprised to learn that the history of Belle Vue Zoological Gardens goes back as far as 1836 and, at its peak, attractted over two million visitors each year. In more recent times, many will remember its amusement park, greyhound racing, motorcycle speedway and famous circus. Brian reminds us of the popularity of this once-thriving attraction which was (almost) on our doorstep.
