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TalksThe Society offers illustrated talks to local schools, groups and societies on a number of topics. LOCAL HISTORY (Brindle & Hoghton)‘Brindle & Hoghton – Then and Now’Pictures of the two villages over the years – “then and now”.
‘Brindle Mill & Bournes Row’Opened around 1855, the Cotton Mill and the row of cottages for the workers have a unique ‘local’ history. The talk looks at the mill founders, as well as the people who lived and worked in the area over the years.
‘Along the line through Brindle and Hoghton’The talk looks at the railway through the two rural villages from its opening in 1846 to Hoghton Station being closed in 1960, up to modern day. Numerous ‘then and now’ images.
‘Football in Brindle and Hoghton over the years’Covers the history of football in both villages from c1910 to modern times; numerous black & white photographs. Our Secretary, Steve Williams offers illustrated talks to groups, lunch clubs, Women’s Institute, Mothers Union, schools, colleges and historical societies across the North West. A World War One historian and Secretary of the Chorley Pals Memorial appeal, he also offers talks on steam railways and football. WORLD WAR ONE
‘The Chorley Pals’In September 1914 men from every walk of life around Chorley answered Kitchener’s appeal to join up and fight in WW1. The talk looks at the history of Y Company of the 11th (Service) Bn. East Lancashire Regiment and those who served in it. The talk includes footage from BBC TV North West news coverage of a trip he organised to the Somme on 1st July 2006. ‘The Western Front’A talk about visits to WW1 battlefields across France and Belgium over the years - linking each to a local man who fought and died “In a foreign field”.
‘Gallipoli’A visit to the Gallipoli battlefields in September 2006 was more of a personal pilgrimage, searching out the lost graves of three men from Brindle. The talk covers the research and result, as well as looking at the beaches and battlefield; numerous photographs. ‘A Mother’s tears’A few lines spotted in the ‘In Memoriam’ column of Chorley Guardian, dated 17th June 1917, forms the basis for this talk. Over the last 5 years Steve has researched many local men who fought and died in World War One. He has put together some very poignant real life stories and, as the title implies, they view the War through different eyes.
‘Footballers in the Trenches’Many professional and amateur footballers fought and died in the trenches during the First World War. They range from Eddie Latheron of Blackburn Rovers and England to James Miller VC from Withnell Fold who played in the Chorley & District Amateur League. The talk also covers two Bradford footballers - Lt. Donald Bell of Bradford City (the only professional footballer to win a Victoria Cross in WW1) and my relative Private Benjamin Balme (a ‘Bradford Pal’) who played for his village team of Clayton near Bradford. Many other stories including an England international taken prisoner by the Germans; illustrated throughout. WORLD WAR ONE & TWO
‘King and Country’A unique and personal talk, linking families (including his own) who fought in both Wars. Travelogue theme, with stories and photographs of the Somme, Ypres, Gallipoli, Dunkirk and Normandy. FOOTBALL
‘The Ref!’Stories from 29 years as a football Referee, including 12 years as Linesman on The Football league (1985 - 1996); numerous photographs. RAILWAYS
‘The railway from Cherry Tree to Chorley’In steam days Cherry Tree, near Blackburn, was the junction for the railway to Chorley. There are numerous ‘then and now’ photographs of the country stations along the line, as well as Chorley ‘terminus’; the line closed in 1968. The talk ends with 90 seconds of black and white film footage of steam trains on the line in the late 1950s. Steve charges between £30 and £50 for his talks depending on the type of group and location. All talks are in PowerPoint format and equipment (by way of laptop, projector and screen) is included. To book a talk from the Society or our Secretary, click here. |
