Talks are held on the third Monday of the month at the Brindle Community Hall, Water Street, Brindle, Chorley, PR6 8NW starting at 7:30pm. See printable programme here.
19th January 2026 – Roger Price – Organised crime and covert policing in the 1990s
Our speaker will take us through his police career with a light touch (but with some serious bits) pausing on the world of organised crime and covert policing giving an insight into this rarely seen world. He will make mention of the TV documentaries he’s been involved in before linking in to his crime novels and how they are inspired by real events.
16th February 2026 – Annual General Meeting
The AGM is free of charge and open to everyone. It will be followed by a chance to view several historical artefacts brought in by members of the society along with an overview of their provenance.
16th March 2026 – Adrian Tayler – Curtain Up! Theatre History
This presentation charts the development of British theatre from the Middle Ages onwards, concentrating specifically on the story of the Lancaster Grand theatre (which opened in 1782) and the many and varied acts that have performed there over the years.
Wednesday 18th March 2026 (2pm) – Visit to the Lancashire County Conservation Studios.
The visit starts with an introduction about what the conservation service does, followed by a tour of the studios where we will meet the conservators and see what they are working on at that time. The tour can last anything up to 2 hours depending on how many questions are asked, and will be followed by tea / coffee + biscuits. The cost is £11 or £8 for concessions.
Places are limited to a maximum of 14 and will be accepted on a first come basis.
20th April 2026 – Derek Cartwright – The History of Horwich Works
In this presentation, we will hear the history of the Horwich Loco works which provided employment for almost 100 years. It was one of the most important loco works in the country and over the decades, 1,830 steam locos were built and over 50,000 were repaired.
Our speaker started work at the site in 1978 and was one of the last millwrights to be employed there.
18th May 2026 – Tony Cunliffe – The Case of the Missing Body Live!
We’ve all heard of the Turin Shroud, but is it an authentic artifact, a hoax, or perhaps something else?
In this compelling interactive presentation, everyone becomes a detective trying to unravel the mysteries behind the shroud. The audience will be provided with evidence from forensic science, historical clues and expert testimonies as the fascinating investigation unfolds.
15th June 2026 – Chris Freeman – History by Design
Tonight we will experience something completely different – a sideways look at how history and nature have shaped some of the things we may often have wondered about.
Our speaker will provide explanations behind some of the really crazy reasons why certain things are as they are.
Friday 10th July 2026 (2pm) – Visit to Lytham Hall followed by afternoon tea (additional cost)
21st September 2026 – Catherine Rousseau – Reservoir navvies in East Lancashire
Tonight’s talk investigates the documentary, photographic and archaeological evidence of the navvies who constructed the reservoirs around Burnley at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century.
From disease to disasters, the lives of the navvies offer a fascinating view of social history.
19th October 2026 – Frances Raftery – Florence Nightingale: Her Life and Legacy
This presentation describes the life of Florence, whose destiny was realised due to a surprising turn of fate long before she was born! Follow her life from her birth in Italy, through her determination to flout Victorian convention and to her horrific experiences in the Crimean War. Fulfilling her destiny, Florence developed her system of nursing practice which founded and established the nursing profession.
16th November 2026 – Heather – Lancashire in fifty objects
In commemoration of fifty years of the Lancashire Museum Service in 2025, fifty objects were chosen to represent the breadth of Lancashire’s History & Heritage.
This illustrated talk choses a number of these objects to tell the story of our great county