Programme of Public Lectures

We are pleased to announce our programme of six public lectures for the
2018 / 2019 season.

Each lecture takes place at Bebington Civic Centre commencing promptly
at 8.00pm and lasts for approximately one hour. Doors are open from 7.30pm.

 

Wednesday 17 October 2018

Andrew Carnegie and the Gilded Agel

When he sold his steel empire for $440 million in 1901, Andrew Carnegie became
the richest man in the world. He went on to build over 2600 Carnegie Libraries,
becoming one of the world’s greatest philanthropists. This presentation will examine
his life in the context of America between 1870 and 1910 when this Gilded Age
saw the rise and dominance of the corporate trusts and growth of greed, avarice
and corruption.
by Simon Cook
A former engraver in the Sheffield silver and pewter trade before becoming a
mature student of the Gilded Age of America at Sheffield University.

 

Wednesday 21 November 2018

Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Owen was a schoolboy and scholar in Birkenhead for seven years at the
turn of the 19th century. This illustrated talk will look at his family life and
background, and his important meeting with the poet Siegfried Sassoon. It will go on to examine closely a selection of his work.
by Chris Thomson
Former Head teacher at Pensby High School for Boys and currently tutor in local history at Wirral 3Ls.

 

Wednesday 5 December 2018

Wirral History from the Air

An illustrated lecture and presentation examining the changes to the Wirral landscape over the last century, looking at its buildings, industry, countryside and infrastructure from above and below.
by Gavin Hunter
Honorary archivist and historian to the Leverhulme family, local historian, lecturer and broadcaster in Wirral history.

 

Wednesday 16 January 2019

Ernest Shackleton

An illustrated look at Britain’s greatest polar explorer, his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica and the amazing ice-bound drama that followed.
by Brian Anderson
Brian has travelled worldwide, photographing some amazing wildlife, landscapes and people in frozen polar wildernesses and deserts. He also runs photography courses in the Northwest area.

 

Wednesday 20 February 2019

Old Courthouse Dig at Bromborough Pool

An illustrated update on, and the latest results from the archaeological excavations carried out over three seasons at the Old Courthouse.
by Karen Gavin
A most experienced archaeologist working for Big Heritage, a community interest company.

 

Wednesday 20 March 2019

Ablain-St Nazaire and Sucrerie Cemetery in France

An illustrated look at the village of Ablain-St Nazaire in France and the Sucrerie Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in the village, which contains British and Canadian troops who died in 1917 and 1918, including the presenter’s own great uncle, Private Alfred Davies.
by Judith Beastall
Deputy chairman of the Merseyside Branch of the Western Front Association and partner of Military and Family Genealogy. Judith has made several visits to the First World War battlefields.

 

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