2022 talks

Talks are held on the third Monday of the month at the Brindle Community Hall, Water Street, Brindle, nr Chorley, PR6 8NW. starting at 7:30pm unless otherwise stated.

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2022 planned programme*

*This was the programme published at the start of the year. Note that some talks may have been changed or cancelled.

Date	Title	Description
17 Jan	A Picture of Afghanistan Dr Javad Hashemi-tafreshi	Note that this will be an on-line virtual talk. Afghanistan is part of the old Silk Route. This illustrated talk introduces a realistic image of the country and its people. Dr Javad Hashemi was born in Tehran, Iran. He taught Biology and Science Education at University of Tehran. He then came to England where he met his wife and worked at NCR and Local Government Education Departments. If the weather is inclement, members could see the talk at the hall (projected through our equipment) or they could watch from the comfort of their homes.
21 Feb	Annual General Meeting	The AGM is open to all
21 Mar	Anne Lister of Shibden Hall Pat Osborne	Pat will explore the fascinating story of Anne Lister who farmed, supervised building work, dealt with tenants and developed coal mining on her land at Shibden Hall in early 1800s. This story has recently been dramatised by the BBC in the series ‘Gentleman Jack’.
18 Apr (Easter Monday)	Those were the days Ray Couldwell	A nostalgic and amusing talk of being brought up in the 50s and 60s era.
16 May	John Balshaw’s Jigge Dr Jenni Hyde	John Balshaw’s Jigge (essentially an early modern musical) was written in Brindle sometime shortly after the Restoration of the monarchy (17th C). It is a rare occurrence of the form, and possibly the only example attributed to the Northwest of England. The text reflects contemporary concerns including the Civil War and the religious and political divisions within Lancashire at the time of the Restoration. Dr Hyde will give a talk, explaining the significance of the Jigge and some insights into Brindle at the time it was written and, presumably, performed.
20 Jun	Waring and Gillow’s – the furniture manufacturers Christopher Robson	A talk about Waring and Gillow’s, the furniture manufacturers, and James Williamson, who mass produced linoleum, in Lancaster.
19 Sep	The history of The Mill Barn, Samlesbury Chris Mortimer	Chris has lived in the converted mill by the River Darwen in Samlesbury Bottoms for many years and will giver us a history of the site using old maps and documents which he has uncovered, The site is now a garden on many levels, both physical and psychological. Flowers, follies and sculptures engage the senses, moving from the semi formal to the semi wild where nature is only just under control. The garden boasts a grotto dedicated to alchemy, a suspension bridge and even a tower on the far bank.
17 Oct	Family Photography; Past, Present and Future Steve Gill	A light-hearted look at how photography evolved over 175 years from vanity purchase to an everyday event. Also, what is happening to photographs from our own immediate past and how to ensure that photographs from now are available to our descendants.
21 Nov	Historic Graffiti: The Writing’s on the Wall Colin Perry	Graffiti is nothing new, as anyone who has visited Pompeii will tell you. This illustrated talk looks at some of the motivations behind graffiti through the ages, such as love, hate, fear, and persecution, and how it used to be seen not as vandalism but (in some cases) as an act of religious devotion or house decoration. Prepare to be surprised by the power, poignancy and beauty of these forgotten masterpieces.